Page 121 of Not So Very Sensible

“Wait. Are you saying you dumped Katie because you’d heard Ethan and I weren’t together?”

He scratched his jaw, looked away.

“That is it, isn’t it? But why? What possible way could that affect you?”

He sighed. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s something, and you’re going to spill. Now.”

“Whoa, lady. You might act all meek and mild, but you’re kind of scary.”

“You have no idea just how scary I can be.”

He backed away. “Look, I’m sorry I said anything.”

“You haven’t said enough. So, what is it?”

She sensed Annabelle drawing close and was thankful for her backup.

“I, uh, just know some people who might appreciate a chance to be heard by someone like Neville Ferris.”

“You mean you dumped Katie because you didn’t think you’d have political influence anymore?”

He flinched, which seemed enough of a yes for her. Wow. Was this the world that Ethan had grown up in? No wonder he and his siblings struggled with trusting others. Poor Ethan.

She took a step forward. “Let me make one thing very clear: You are to have nothing to do with Katie or anyone else in my family again. Katie is now dating a detective, and if there’s anything the slightest bit crooked in your life, I’ll make sure they know about it, and they’ll be hunting you down faster than you can say g’day.”

He blinked. “You don’t need to do that.”

“Sounds like I do. And I mean it. You don’t mess with my sister, and you don’t mess with my family.”

He held up his hands. “Okay, okay. I get it.”

Good.

He lingered a moment longer. “But she’s doing okay?”

“She’s happier than I’ve seen her in a very long time. She’s with someone who puts her first, who knows what love really means, and she loves him.”

His chin jerked, then he mumbled, “Good,” and turned away.

For a moment, Ellie felt sorry for him, but then she remembered how crushed Katie had been. Forgiveness didn’t mean forgetting, and there was no way she’d mention any of this conversation to Katie.

Although she did mention it to Ethan when he called that night. “Is that really what your life has been like? People using you?”

“It was. I remember a time when I was at school and got invited to a party. I thought the kid wanted to be my friend, but it turns out his dad forced him to invite me because he wanted an inroad to curry favour with my dad.”

“That’s awful. But how can you be sure that was the case?”

“I overheard the kid whining to his dad about why I had to be there.”

“Oh, Ethan. I’m so sorry.”

“It was a long time ago, but I never forgot.”

“Well, if it makes any difference, I’m really looking forward to seeing you again.”

“Me too.” He paused for a moment.