Chapter 6 #2
What was she doing talking about designs when he wanted to talk about so much more important things? At least he could message her on Insta. But still, why not give him her phone number? Following someone on Instagram was barely giving him hope for a future.
Humiliation rolled through Ethan as he second-guessed all that had occurred.
Far from being assured of her interest after their near kiss, now it seemed she was as embarrassed about that as she had been to see her sister engaged so enthusiastically with Jason Willoughby.
So, was Katie’s accusation pique or truth?
How he wished he knew. Ellie had scarcely given him a moment’s encouragement since.
He went to his own room but, before he could enter, heard a giggle come from up the hall.
He glanced down the dark corridor and saw a blonde woman holding a man by the hand and leading him into a room.
And that man looked awfully like the one they’d left a few minutes ago, dressed as he was in the same clothes.
Seriously? He’d heard of men being fast movers, but that seemed incredibly quick.
He was half-tempted to contact Ellie and make sure she still had Katie with her, then remembered that Jason had said he wasn’t staying here, so the room must be the woman’s.
And since he’d just left Ellie and Katie on an upper floor, it must mean it was a different woman.
Was she the actress from before? If so, poor Katie.
His stomach tensed. How could men treat women like that? He’d never understand.
He plugged in his dead phone, which instantly lit up with a dozen missed messages. All of which were from one source. His heart sank. Well, this was the perfect ending to a bad hour.
He was tempted to delete them, then thought he’d better check, so he glanced at the most recent, sent five minutes ago.
“Are you still alive?”
He exhaled. Okay, he got that Lucinda was needy, but this was crazy. Then compassion for her illness and the fact she’d had to miss out on something she’d really wanted to do made him type back, “Yep. It was good.”
There. Nothing that said she missed out on too much, but nothing so tepid that she’d feel the need to call.
His phone buzzed. He was a fool for thinking he could ignore her. And now that he’d just responded, she’d know he was awake, and if he didn’t respond to her now, then she’d know he was ignoring her. Great. How had he ever allowed himself to get caught up with her?
The phone call ceased, then resumed again. Needy much? Apparently.
For a second, he contrasted this with Ellie’s obvious lack of need for him, and his heart ached a little more. Still, there was nothing for it now but for him to answer.
“Lucinda.”
“What are you still doing up?”
“Answering your call.” He rolled his eyes.
“Hey, is everything okay? You didn’t answer my previous messages, and I was getting worried.”
“It’s all good. Nothing to worry about.”
“Are you sure?” She coughed. “I’ve felt so bad knowing how hard this must be for you, up there by yourself, having to do stuff you don’t like, like meeting new people.”
He bit his lip. He’d quite enjoyed meeting new people. Even if it turned out that they perhaps didn’t enjoy meeting him to the same degree. “Like I said, it’s been good. I’ve coped,” he said dryly.
“Oh. Okay then.”
She was silent for a long moment, and while this was one of her usual tactics to get him to ask her how she was, he didn’t feel like playing tonight. He had too many other things to think about, and no time for her games.
She coughed again, which reminded him, and yep, there he went again, breaking his principles to respond to her unspoken requests. “How are you feeling?”
“Oh, I’m so glad you finally asked.” Manipulator. She coughed again. “I’ve been so lonely, especially knowing you were there having fun. I’m here all by myself.”
“It ended up being a fairly late night, so you probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it too much.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t have more fun.”
“Like I said, it was okay.” He closed his eyes, which seemed to be a trigger for his own body’s recognition of the late hour, as he yawned. “Sorry. It’s past midnight. I need some sleep.”
“Of course you do. Well, I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
Hadn’t he told her enough already? “You’d better get some sleep too, if you want to concentrate on getting better,” he reminded her.
“Oh, you’re so sweet to be concerned about me.”
He winced. He hadn’t wanted to come across quite like that. “I’ll be in touch.” More, he didn’t want to promise.
For how could he make promises to someone he didn’t want a future with? He sighed. “Good night.”
“Good night, Ethan,” she crooned. “Sweet dreams.”
“You too,” he said, without thinking, then winced as he realised how that might be construed. Before he could overthink a second longer, he ended the call.
Why did dealing with Lucinda always leave him feeling like he was tiptoeing carefully to avoid land mines? And this, when he’d known the woman for more than thirty years? What a contrast to that sense of ease he’d experienced with Ellie, when he’d known her less than six hours.
He escaped his clothes, showered, and climbed into bed.
He closed his eyes but could only remember what had happened earlier.
When he and Ellie had been talking. When he’d felt that sense of deep connection, like part of his soul had curved to fit with hers.
Then when he’d leaned in, and she had too.
Had that been his imagination? No, she must’ve wanted to kiss him. Must’ve known what he’d wanted to do.
Then his foiled attempt to do exactly that. And her near-instant embarrassment when she realised what had happened.
His heart hungered for a redo. For a second chance to complete what he could only do in his dreams. Maybe he could find her tomorrow morning and make sure she knew how he felt.
Actually, he would make sure she knew how he felt.
What was the worst that could happen? He might feel like a fool if she didn’t return his feelings?
He’d been a fool more than once before, so that was nothing new.
“Hey, God,” he prayed in the dark, the darkness broken only by a tiny red light on the TV. “You know what’s going on with me and Ellie. If it’s meant to be, can You please make a way?”
Then he closed his eyes and felt peace fall upon him as he dreamed about finishing that kiss.