Chapter 36 If Anything Comes Up
Chapter 36 If Anything Comes Up
No matter what, Dawn was determined to leave.
She wanted to leave the city she’d lived in for 20 years, the city that still held Austin.
The ne sliced through the clouds, flying 25,000 feet up. After more than 2 hours, in fireallynded at Northville International Airport.
Waiting for them was Ethan’s other assistant, Tony Day. Compared to Oliver, Tony was way more outgoing, chatting with Dawn while tossing the luggage into the trunk.
“Ms. Porter, Northville’s way colder than Trifton, so bundle up. If you end up freezing, Mr. Jackson’s heart will break.”
Dawn nced at Ethan nearby, phone pressed to his ear, and smiled “Okay, thanks.”
“No thanks needed!”
Tony looked ridiculously pleased, even pulling out a business card. “From now on, <b>if </b>you need anything, call me. I’m on 24–hour standby for you and Mr. Jackson<b>!</b><b>” </b>
Dawn took the card, but before she could say anything, Ethan finished his call, shot Tony a look, and said, “Dial it down.”
Tony replied, “Yes, sir.”
Tony straightened up like it was life or death, pulled open the car door, and bowed with over- the–top politeness.
Dawn couldn’t stopughing and slipped silently into the back seat.
Northville had already seen its first big snow of the year. Outside, everything was buried in white. People hurried down the street, bundled up from head to toe.
Dawn cracked the window, and a rush of cold air came in.
Sheughed against the chill, breath spilling out in white clouds.
Ethan just smiled at her from the corner of his mouth, saying nothing.
By 5 p.m., traffic was thick. What should’ve been an hour drive took almost two. Worried she wouldn’t adjust her first night, Ethan ordered takeout at home.
Chapter 36 If Anything Comes Up
But clearly, his worry was unnecessary.
Dawn had never been to Northville, so everything felt new.
After dinner, she pulled on a puffy down jacket and ran out to the yard, stomping footprints into the thick snow and even building a little snowman.
By the time Ethan came out with a scarf in hand, she was holding a huge lump of snow, <i>her </i>white jacket and hat blending into the scene, her nose red from the cold.
“Ethan! Come on!”
Her eyes curved like a crescent moon, pure joy shining through.
She tossed the snow in her hands toward him, and itnded right by his feet.
Ethan’s lips curled as he followed her footprints, slipping the scarf around her neck. His voice was warm. “y all you want, but be careful not to catch a cold.”
Dawn tilted her head back at him, blinking yfully.
The next second, she grabbed another handful of snow and smacked it against his chest. “Come on! Snowball fight!”
Ethan froze.
He ended up ying with her in the yard for over an hour. By the time they went back inside. both of their faces were flushed from the freezing air.
Dawn jumped in ce, blowing out a breath. “Tony was right. It really is cold.”
“You still want to y tomorrow?”
“Definitely!”
Her eyes sparkled under the light, shining like stars.
Ethan couldn’t help getting caught up in her mood, tugging her hat lower with a grin. “Go take a hot shower. Don’t get sick.”
<i>“</i>Okay.” Dawn stepped out, then darted back in, tilting her face toward him. “Thanks for tonight. I was really happy. You should shower too, so you don’t catch a cold.”
Then she dashed upstairs like it was… a full–on escape.
Chapter 36 If Anything Comes Up
Closing the door, she let out a long breath.
Geez<i>, </i><i>calm </i>down, Dawn, she thought to herself.
:
Ethan probably had no idea how dangerous that pretty face of his was under the snow–sharp- edged, pale, perfectly carved, touched with a chill and a kind of effortless, reckless charm.
Even with her strong heart, Dawn could barely hold her ground against that kind of pull
She lifted both hands, smacking her cheeks, forcing herself not to spiral.
“To the shower!”
Once Ethan was back, he dove into work, which meant the house was mostly just Dawn’s.
But she stayed busy too–two whole days packing up her things and getting ready for her interview at Dreammaker Studios.
Over dinner, when Dawn mentioned it, Ethan paused mid–bite before continuing calmly, asking softly, “Want me toe with you?”
“No need.”
Dawn felt confident about this kind of interview.
Ethan didn’t push, just said, “If anythinges up,
call me.”
The next day. <fnd202> Latest content published on find[?]ovel</fnd202>
Dawn had nned to order a ride, but just as she pulled out her phone, a horn red outside.
She stepped out and saw Tony, grinning, jangling a set of car keys. “Ms. Porter, Mr. Jackson told me to give you a car.”
Right next to him sat a white Porsche, gleaming against the snow like it was born out of it.