"ETHAN MCQUEEN is coming to the gala and he's bringing Victoria Blackwood."

"What?" Ava asked a few beats later, her voice thick with incredulity.

"I'm sorry, I know how you feel about Ethan, so I—" Dean started apologetically.

"No, not that..." Ava cut in, her eyes bulging, teeth clenched. "Was that the urgent matter?"

"What?... Yes, that was it. I thought you should know, be prepared or something," Dean sputtered as Ava continued glaring at him. "I'm sorry."

"No, it's ...