Chapter 4

I'm two days into the job. I'm at the waterfront checking the setup for a private event tonight.

Ethan's voice comes from behind me.

"What are you doing here?"

I turn around.

I didn't expect him to be the one who booked out the entire venue tonight.

Audrey is hanging off his arm. Sophia and Nicole are right behind them.

Ethan's eyes drop to the employee badge on my chest.

"You got a job in Miami?"

"That's none of your business."

Audrey waves her phone at me and smiles.

"Good thing I decided to come to Miami last minute. Otherwise I would've missed running into you."

Sophia looks at Ethan.

"She says one word about wanting a birthday by the ocean and you rebook the flights and hotel for all of us."

Audrey tilts her head.

"He always gives me what I want."

I look down at the event sheet.

Whole venue reserved until midnight.

Total: $120,000.

Three years ago, I asked Ethan if we could book a private evening here. Just the two of us watching the sunset.

He looked at the price and said, "For a sunset? That's a waste of money."

Ethan is already standing in front of me.

"So now you're following us from city to city and working at our venue?"

"I was in Miami before you changed your route."

He lets out a short laugh.

"Cut the excuses."

"You asked for a divorce, turned off your location, and got a new job just to get my attention?"

I close the event sheet.

"Ethan, you're overthinking it."

"Sure I am."

He nods.

"You just happened to come to Miami. And just happened to be working at the exact venue we booked."

Audrey listens for a while, then holds out the event sheet to me.

"Since Ivy works here, just let her handle my birthday."

I don't take it.

"The venue already assigned other staff."

But Ethan grabs the sheet and pushes it into my hands.

"You're good with details. I trust you with it."

I look up at him.

"I'm here to work. Not to babysit your girlfriend for you."

His eyebrows pull together.

"Audrey asked for you. You're staff here, aren't you?"

"Don't make this about us."

I grip the event sheet and head to the venue.

After dark, the birthday party starts.

I'm about to leave the event area when Ethan calls out behind me.

"How long are you gonna keep this up?"

I turn around.

"The divorce papers are already with my lawyer."

He goes quiet for a second.

"You've said you were leaving before when we fought."

"Now you're just using the word divorce."

I look at him.

"Then keep telling yourself that."

He reaches for my arm.

"If you really wanted to leave, you wouldn't be standing here."

I step back from his hand.

"Miami doesn't belong to you."

His jaw tightens.

But Audrey is already calling from across the venue.

"Ethan, the fireworks are starting!"

He stares at me for a few seconds, then turns and walks toward her.

At eight, Audrey's name lights up across the water in fireworks.

After they're done, the staff wheels out a birthday cake.

Audrey blows out the candles. Sophia smiles at her.

"What'd you wish for this year?"

Audrey opens her eyes and looks straight at Ethan.

"I don't want anything this year."

"The condo. The trip. The birthday. I already have everything."

She pauses.

"Ethan, I want her gone. I want to be the wife."

Everything goes quiet.

Ethan frowns and opens his mouth.

But Audrey reaches into her bag and pulls out an ultrasound report. She sets it down in front of him.

"You'll say yes to this one."

"I'm pregnant."