Chapter 36: Eyes Across The Room
Standing before Evie was Dawn Blake in all her celebrity glory. Evie couldn’t believe Ezra’s ex was here.Dawn’s blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes caught attention, but it was her condescending smile that really set Evie on edge.
Did she think she could come back into Ezra’s life just because they had history?
Evie and Ezra were thriving together, their relationship dominating the headlines. And now, Dawn was trying to waltz in? Typical Ex move. All exes are crazy, Evie thought.
After a charged silence, Dawn finally spoke. "He doesn’t do real, you know, not for long."
Evie’s eyes narrowed. "Why are you telling me this?" she demanded.
Dawn’s smile widened, her tone mocking. "Just so you’re aware. Don’t get your hopes too high about being Ezra’s permanent partner. One day, he’ll just be done with you, and it’ll be as if you never existed." She winked, clearly enjoying herself.
Evie felt her fists clench at her sides. "I’m not like you," she shot back, making it clear that Dawn’s failed relationship with Ezra had little to do with her own.
Dawn merely chuckled, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Whatever you say, darling." With that, she swept out of the bathroom, her heels clicking mockingly against the floor.
Evie drew in a sharp breath to calm herself, before emerging back into the event, it didn’t take long for Evie to catch Ezra’s eye.
He was unreadable as always but when something caught his eye, rather, someone —his brows knitted together when he noticed Dawn’s smirk as she strolled away.
Dawn? What was she doing here?
Evie felt a wave of uncertainty—was Dawn’s presence a sign that things were about to change between her and Ezra? She asked herself, watching Ezra gaze at Dawn until she exited.
After the successful launch, the celebration unfolded at one of Country M’s most exclusive rooftop venues. The atmosphere buzzed with overwhelming pride and exuberance, and the city’s skyline shimmered through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
Inside, luxury was evident: warm amber lighting, minimalist floral arrangements, and a jazz quartet playing smooth renditions of modern classics. The bar, clad in polished marble, and velvet seating offered intimate clusters for guests to mingle.
Trays of exquisite hors d’oeuvres floated through the crowd—truffle arancini, caviar-topped blinis, and delicate steak tartare on crisp crackers. Champagne flutes sparkled, and the energy was palpable.
Ezra moved confidently through the crowd, now clad in a deep navy tux. He owned the room—calm, composed, and undeniably magnetic.
"To Ezra Thorne!" someone cheered. "To the man of the hour—and the timepieces that made it all possible!"
As the music shifted to a smoother rhythm, Evie stood by the bar, her elegant black dress boasting a thigh-high slit and low back. She didn’t seek attention, but she wasn’t invisible either; heads turned, and whispers circulated.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Ruby: "I’m sorry I can’t make it to the party. I have urgent things to handle. Will fill you in later." Ruby followed up with a wink emoji.
Evie smiled, typing back, "It’s fine, you being here brightened my day. Take care."
"Send my regards to Ezra," Ruby replied.
Just then, Shane’s voice cut through the chatter. "What are you doing here alone?" He approached the bar, a warm smile on his face. Evie shook her head but returned his smile, noticing he had really come to join her and she turned off her phone screen.
He ordered drinks, adding, "One for her too."
"You didn’t have to," Evie said, but the bartender was already preparing the drinks, and Shane handed one to her with an inviting nod.
"It’s great," he asserted.
Evie glanced at him skeptically. He hadn’t tasted it yet. "How do you know?" She brought the glass to her lips, tasting a delightful combination of fruit and something more.
"What did I tell you?" Shane replied knowingly, as Evie felt her cheeks flush.
Shane raised his glass toward Evie, his eyes narrowing, and a grin on his face.
"You know," he stated, "you were the standout at that launch."
Evie blinked in surprise. "I wasn’t even the one launching anything."
"Exactly," he countered smoothly. "You didn’t need the spotlight. You walked in, and the entire room shifted its focus to you."
She let out a surprised laugh and shook her head. "You’re ridiculous."
"Dead serious," he replied, leaning back and observing her with admiration. "The dress, the hair, that don’t-mess-with-me look—you resembled a CEO’s fantasy."
Evie threw her head back in laughter. "Okay, now you’re overdoing it."
She playfully nudged him, completely unaware of the man watching from a distance. His eyes narrowed, jaw tightening as he observed the interaction between Evie and Shane. They weren’t just chatting anymore; they were boldly flirting in front of others. As he sipped his drink, his grip on the glass tightened.
Shane chuckled, clearly reveling in the moment. "I’m not exaggerating. I’m just stating what every man in that room was thinking."
Evie raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Including you?"
"Especially me," he said, leaning in just enough to create a charged intimacy. "You looked so stunning that I almost forgot you came with Ezra."
Evie shot him a playful glare.
Shane smirked. "Let’s just say if I were him, I wouldn’t have let you out of my sight."
Evie laughed again, brushing her fingers through her hair. "You’re trouble."
"And you enjoy trouble," he quipped back. "Don’t deny it."
Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Maybe just a little."
Just as the air thickened with undeniable tension, Ezra’s voice cut through it—low, cold. He had distanced himself from the celebration, now focused on them.
"Am I interrupting something?"
Evie’s smile faltered, and she turned to face him. Shane, though, remained unfazed.
"Not at all," Shane replied casually, taking a deliberate sip of his drink. "Just giving your girl some well-deserved recognition."
Ezra’s gaze remained fixed on Evie. "How generous of you."
Evie averted her eyes, staring at her drink. Since the launch, she hadn’t spoken to Ezra, not even glanced his way. She knew this irked him, especially since he expected her to confront him about his ex’s presence at the party. Instead, she simply ignored him. Now that she turned away, avoiding his gaze on purpose, Ezra’s eyebrows pulled together.
"I thought you were busy. You should go and leave us alone—we’re enjoying ourselves here," Shane teased.
He then went as far as caressing Evie’s cheeks, "Right Evie?" He inquired.
Ezra’s gaze darkened. His jaw tighter.
"Sure" Evie responded, and took a sip of her drink.
Then Shane threw a smirk Ezra’s way like a man who knew he was winning a contest Ezra hadn’t agreed to enter.
Ezra turned, catching Shane’s smirk, and felt his patience wearing thin. "We need to talk," he stated firmly.
"We do?" Shane’s brows knitted together with curiosity. But Ezra didn’t respond; he began making his way to the exit. Shane understood he had to follow.
"I’ll be back," he assured Evie, who nodded in acknowledgment.
Shane followed Ezra outside, stopping next to him on the deserted balcony. "What do we need to discuss?" Shane asked, closing the gap between them, his hands tucked into his pockets.
Ezra’s brow creased with intensity, his jaw clenched as he removed his watch, his expression unreadable as he rolled his sleeves up slightly.
"Ezra?" Shane prompted, but before he could say more... Ezra swiftly turned and struck him with a blow.
"What the hell?" Shane exclaimed, his eyes wide, as he clutched his broken nose, blood dripping from it.