Off-Limits

An Unexpected Invitation

Lana’s Pov

The text message from Marcus hung in the air between us like a ticking clock, turning our quiet kitchen into a room full of waiting ghosts. I stared at Ethan, my heart beating a fast, nervous rhythm against my ribs, but before we could figure out what Marcus was planning, the next few days rushed past us in a blur of early morning practices, rushing through arena hallways, and trying desperately to act like normal people when my brother was around.

By Friday evening, Marcus’s mysterious warning turned out to be an invitation to the team’s big charity gala downtown.

"We are all going," Marcus had announced happily during a quick lunch break at the rink. He looked right at Ethan and me, completely unaware of the mini heart attack he had just given us. "The whole media crew has to be there, Lena, and Ethan, you're coming with us too. Plus, it'll be a great chance to blow off some steam. Sophie Whitmore is organizing the whole thing, so it's going to be fancy."

When Marcus said that name Sophie Whitmore, a strange, tight look had flashed across Ethan’s face for a split second before he quickly smoothed it into his usual blank mask. At the time, I didn't think much of it. But standing now in the grand, glittering ballroom of the downtown hotel, watching the sparkling chandeliers scatter bright lights across the crowded room, I suddenly remembered that look.

The ballroom was packed with professional hockey players in sharp tuxedos, people in expensive evening gowns, and flashing cameras from local reporters. The air smelled like sweet perfume, expensive champagne, and fresh flowers. I wore a simple, elegant dark blue dress that made me feel grown up and confident, but my nerves were tied up in tight knots.

Ethan stood right beside me, looking drop dead gorgeous in a black suit with his dark hair slightly styled back. Even though we were surrounded by hundreds of people, his shoulder brushed against mine, sending a warm, comforting jolt straight through my skin.

"You okay?" Ethan whispered, leaning down so his lips were close to my ear. His deep voice cut right through the loud chatter of the room.

"I'm fine," I whispered back, offering him a small smile. "Just a little overwhelmed. There are so many people here."

"Stick close to me," he murmured, his hand gently resting on the small of my back, his fingers warm against the thin fabric of my dress. "Nobody's going to bother you."

Before I could answer, a loud, cheerful voice called out from across the polished floor.

"Ethan! Oh, my gosh, you actually made it!"

We both turned our heads. Walking toward us was a stunning woman with long, perfectly styled blonde hair, wearing a glittering red dress that hugged her curves. She moved with total confidence, her bright smile fixed entirely on Ethan as if nobody else existed in the giant room.

It was Sophie Whitmore.

"Sophie," Ethan said, his voice polite, steady, but completely flat. He dropped his hand from my back, stepping a tiny half step away from me. "Good to see you."

Sophie walked right up to him, completely ignoring the personal space rules. She reached out and placed a manicured hand right on the lapel of Ethan’s black suit jacket, brushing away a piece of lint that wasn't even there. Her touch was much too familiar, much too comfortable for someone who was supposedly just an acquaintance.

"I was starting to think you were going to skip my gala entirely, you big hermit," Sophie laughed, her voice smooth and melodic. She finally shifted her bright blue eyes toward me, looking me up and down with a polite, curious smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "And who is this? I don't think I've seen you around the team before."

"This is Lena Carter," Ethan said quickly, stepping in before I could speak. His voice had a sharp, protective edge to it. "She's working in the media department this season."

Sophie’s eyebrows arched upward in sudden, playful surprise. Her smile widened, though something cold and calculating flickered in her eyes. "Oh! Marcus's little sister. Of course. He talks about you all the time." She turned her attention back to Ethan, her hand lingering on his jacket for one second too long. "It's so funny seeing you here with a date, Ethan. Usually, you're allergic to team events unless you're forced to come."

My stomach gave an uncomfortable twist. A strange, prickly feeling of jealousy flared up inside my chest. With a date? Did Sophie think I was just a date? Or did she assume she had a special claim on Ethan?

"I'm not his date, exactly," I said smoothly, lifting my chin just a little bit. "I'm just attending the event for work."

"Right, of course," Sophie said, her smile turning just a tiny bit tight. She looked back at Ethan, completely ignoring my tone. "Well, Ethan, you have to come say hi to the board members at the front table. They've been asking about you all night. Come with me for just a minute?"

Ethan hesitated, his dark eyes darting quickly down to look at me. I could see the stress written all over his face. He didn't want to leave me here with her, but as a star player, he had certain social obligations he couldn't dodge in front of the whole team management.

"Go ahead," I whispered, offering him a reassuring nod. "I'll be right here talking to Marcus."

Ethan gave a stiff nod. "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere."

He turned and walked away with Sophie, who immediately hooked her arm through his as if they had done it a thousand times before. I watched them walk toward the front of the room, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip.

"Hey, little sis! Are you having fun?"

Marcus suddenly appeared beside me, holding two glasses of sparkling cider and smiling broadly. He handed one to me.

"Yeah, it's a great event, Marcus," I lied, keeping my eyes fixed on the distant crowd where Ethan and Sophie were standing near the stage.

Marcus followed my gaze, chuckling lightly as he spotted Ethan talking to the team executives with Sophie standing right by his side, laughing at something one of the directors said.

"Ah, Sophie," Marcus shook his head with a grin. "She’s great, isn't she? She’s practically part of the furniture around here. She’s helped run these galas for years. Everyone in the organization has been trying to play matchmaker for Ethan and Sophie for the longest time, but our boy Ethan is just too stubborn to notice."

My heart dropped straight down into my shoes. I turned to look at Marcus, my voice catching in my throat. "Matchmaker?"

"Oh, yeah," Marcus laughed, totally oblivious to the absolute panic swirling inside my head. "Sophie has had a massive crush on Ethan for as long as I can remember. She’s always hovering around him, trying to get him to go out. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if she finally wore him down this season."

I couldn't breathe. My hands felt cold, and the glittering lights of the ballroom suddenly felt dizzying and fake. I stared back across the crowded room, my eyes locking onto Sophie.

She had just finished talking to the directors, and she turned her head to look directly back at me across the noisy ballroom.

Ethan had his back turned for a second, talking to the team coach. Sophie stood there, watching me with a slow, knowing smile spread across her face. It wasn't a friendly smile. It was the look of a person who knew secrets, a person who believed she owned what was hers.

Looking at the expression on Sophie’s face, a cold shiver ran straight down my spine, leaving me wondering whether there was much more to her history with Ethan than he had ever dared to admit to me.