Regret Came Too Late

Grace felt a little uncomfortable. Damien's gaze never left her. Sometimes, he

frowned; other times, he pressed his lips into a thin line. She had no idea what he

was thinking. All she knew was that under his stare, she felt like an object on

display.

The whole private room felt colder by the second. When she finally glanced up,

she realized something else was wrong. Ethan didn't look so good either. His face

was pale, and he kept sipping water, his wrist tense around the glass.

Grace quickly got up and walked over to him. "Mr. Henderson, are you feeling

alright?" she asked, keeping her voice low.

Ethan lowered his lashes. Both his hands were wrapped around his glass. "I'm

fine," he said simply.

But Grace knew him better than that. Even if he was really hurting, he wouldn't

waste words complaining about it.

She leaned in a little closer, whispering, "Is it your stomach? There's a pharmacy

nearby. I can run and grab you something if you want."

Before Ethan could answer, Damien slammed his head on the table.

"Ms. Lambert, why don't you sit back down and keep some distance, yeah?" he

asked sharply.

Grace finally caught on. Damien wasn't just being weird; he was guarding Ethan

against her. He thought she had ulterior motives.

help but laugh even as she straightened back up and

down.

twitched for a moment. He gave Damien a long, steady

himself silent credit. In his mind, a

deserve someone like Ethan. As long as

give up whatever she was

already straightened up, and since the tension was obvious,

"Do you need me to go get

"No need."

immediately sat back down, keeping a good ten feet

huge, built for private banquets and meant to host

tables in a place like

sat down when Damien let out

I don't know

to pull. You'd better

ideas you've

the rumors going

were your

spread them

didn't you?

Senior is still lining up blind

should tell you everything. The Hendersons have never

considered you."

said it just loud enough for Grace to

calmly and closed the menu in her hands. "Mr. Jensen, I

where I stand."

the dishes

leaned

began introducing the

she

gone

method

the reservation.

broth in

she could finish, Damien cut in, "No talking while