Ethan frowned as if he was shocked to see here there, but his expression quickly shifted when his gaze fell on the guy standing next to her. His brow furrowed deeply as he inspected the man from head to toe.
"He is my—" Madisyn began.
"Hi, I'm her date," the guy interrupted, introducing himself with a proud smile. "My name is Alex."
Madisyn wished the ground would swallow her whole at that moment. Why would that man with the appearence of a teenager spoiled boy intervene and speak for her?
"I didn't know you dated," Ethan said to Madisyn, ignoring Alex. His voice laced with confusion.
"I don't…" she whispered, hoping only he could hear.
The woman in the red dress next to Ethan cleared her throat. "You two know each other?"
"It's complicated," Madisyn answered quickly.
Alex turned to the waiter. "We're looking for a table for two."
"Oh, we only accept reservations. There are no free tables at the moment," the waiter replied forcing a nice smile to both of them after she glanced at the man's outfit puzzled.
"What a pity. I guess we'll have to postpone the date then," Madisyn quickly suggested faking a sorry face and shrugging.
She was ready to leave, so she turned to face the door.
"No, I think we can make room at our table," Ethan interjected, a hint of mischief in his voice. "I'm sure the waitress will find a way, right?"
"Yes, yes, whatever you desire." the waitress stammered.
Madisyn shook her head. "It's fine, we can find another restaurant or pick another day."
"I insist," Ethan said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I'd like to get to know your date."
Madisyn glared at him. If looks could kill…
As the waitress moved to set the table, Madisyn grabbed Ethan by the jacket and pulled him aside. "Why would you insist? I don't want to be here with this guy."
"Then why are you on a date with him?" Ethan retorted.
"It's a long story!" she hissed. "Now go and tell them you changed your mind, so I can get out of this mess quickly."
"Oh no, I won't," Ethan replied, feigning innocence. "He seems like a nice guy. Besides, maybe you need a little excitement in your life. I doubt my brother was much of a thrill."
"How dare you!" Madisyn shouted, her face grew red.
Was him suggesting her that kind of excitmenet??
Her shout drawn the attention of the entire restaurant. "You are a.."
"We should sit," Ethan interrupted, smiling proudly. He pointed at the table he headed back there. "They're waiting for us." He said once he was there.q
Reluctantly, Madisyn followed and they all took their seats.
"So, I'm curious," the red-dressed woman said, her smile too wide to be genuine. "How do you two know each other?"
"She was my brother's ex-girlfriend," Ethan replied nonchalantly.
"I didn't know you had a brother," the woman said, surprised. "So, you're no longer together?"
"His loss," Alex chimed in.
Madisyn and Ethan exchanged a glance before the woman threw another question at him. "Why have you never mentioned having a brother? We've been seeing each other for four months now."
Ethan ignored the annoyance in her voice. "Let's not get into that."
"I'm just curious," she persisted. "Are you two close? I didn't want to bring this up now, but you never talk to me about your family or anything personal. I just want to.."
"I don't talk to you about personal stuff for this exact reason, Carol. I told you from the start, I'm not looking for a relationship. I don't do relationships," Ethan said firmly.
Ah, the mystery woman had a name: Carol. Madisyn couldn't help but find a bit of humor in the situation. If they started arguing, at least they'd all have to leave.
"Oh, for heaven's sake!" Carol scoffed loudly.
"This is how we men are—we struggle to open up. Give it time, Carol," Alex said, trying to mediate.
Carol and Ethan both glared at Alex in unison. At least they agreed on something.
"We've had this conversation, Carol. Please don't start it again."
"Alright, alright," she relented before turning to Madisyn. "So, Madison, right?"
"It's Madisyn."
"Madisyn," Carol repeated, adjusting her skirt. "How was his brother?"
"Don't ask her questions you want to ask me," Ethan interjected, his voice tight.
"I'm just trying to have a conversation with Madison," Carol replied, her frustration slipping through.
"It's Madisyn," Ethan and Madisyn said in sync, their tones equally frustrated.
"Whatever, Madisyn, Madison, it's the same!" she snapped.
"He was pretty much an asshole," Madisyn said with a sweet smile, causing Alex to chuckle.
"Well, must run in the family," Carol muttered under her breath.
Ethan pretended not to hear her, and an awkward silence settled over the table. The couples began browsing through the menu to break the tension. In a few minutes, they all ordered.
"So, how did you two meet?" Alex asked, sneaking his arm around Madisyn's hips.
She frowned and shook off his arm. "We met at an event he was hosting. I was there with a friend and ended up drinking way too much. The alcohol made me confess my little crush on him. The rest is history."
Ethan chuckled. "As if you had to be drunk to confess it! It was obvious even when you were sober. You couldn't take your eyes off me the entire night. Even when I wasn't the one talking, you were still staring."
"Yes, my eyes and every other girl's too!" Madisyn retorted. "Every woman there was drooling over you."
He shrugged. "I didn't notice."
"Sure, sure," she teased. "As if you're unaware that you always turn heads wherever you go."
"Oh, so you're a heartbreaker," Alex commented, a hint of jealousy in his voice.
"He is, trust me," Carol nodded, leaning closer to Ethan with a proud look. "But have you seen how handsome he is? Despite how despicable he can be sometimes, I really am crazy for him."
'Crazy for him, his wallet, or his fame?' Madisyn thought, raising an eyebrow.
"You're awfully quiet, Madisyn," Ethan remarked, his eyes glinting with curiosity. "Please, I'd love to know how you and Alex met."
Madisyn was taking a sip of her wine when she heard his question. It caught her so off guard that she choked, coughing uncontrollably.
What could she say? And why did he even care?
Couldn't he mind his own business?