The next few days were complete misery. Paul was relentless in trying to get me to forgive him. I ignored every email and text, only responding to the few that were business related. He knocked on my door the day after I stormed out of his office and I ignored that too, more tears streaming down my face. The man had broken my heart.
I couldn’t afford for that to happen again.
Ethan came by the day after; asking what the hell was going on and why wasn’t I at work? I broke down in his arms, telling him everything. When I was done, he swore he would break every bone in Paul’s body. While the thought appealed for a moment, I told him to leave him alone.
“Are you crazy? He can’t get away with that, Aly!” he cried.
I wiped my eyes with a tissue. “It’s not your problem to deal with. I can handle it. Leave him alone.”
Ethan swore under his breath. “You realize I want to bash his teeth in, right?”
I gave a hint of a smile. “Yes, and I love you for it.” I leaned back against him, resting my head on his chest. When he wrapped his arms around me, his comfort was exactly what I needed.
“You never told me how your date with Trisha went,” I suddenly remembered.
He rested his chin on my head. “It was okay. Nothing we need to talk about right now,” he replied.
I looked up at him. “Of course we do. I need to hear about something else right now. Tell me.”
I heard him sigh. “Well, it went really well actually. I’m seeing her again tomorrow night.”
“Oh, Ethan. That’s great.”
“Yeah, she’s fun to hang out with, and sexy as hell. I am definitely intrigued.”
I squeezed him tight. “I’m glad. She really does seem like a nice girl.” I started to feel sleepy, and tried to stifle a yawn. When he started stroking my hair, I was out.
Being lifted up awakened me. I opened my eyes and saw Ethan’s face close to mine. “Go back to sleep, Aly. I’m just carrying you into bed.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and felt him walking me gently to my room. He set me down on my bed, and covered me up. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
“Goodnight, beautiful girl. I’m right here, always.”
I smiled at him then fell back into a deep and much needed sleep.
When I woke up the next morning, I had no memory of how I got in my bed. The last thing I remembered was Ethan telling me about his date with Trisha.
Ethan.
He must have put me here. I smiled at how good he was to me. A part of me wished I felt more for him because it would make my life so much easier, but no. I had to go and fall in love with the biggest prick in town.
Paul.
My heart tore into pieces again at the memory of him, of what we did. Tears came to my eyes and I swore. I was so tired of crying over that man. I had no idea how I’d face him in the office next week when I went back to work. I really hoped that I could finish out these two projects and keep my sanity.
I got up and went out to the kitchen. I froze when I saw Ethan asleep on my couch. Realizing he’d stayed over to make sure I was okay made my heart melt.
I sat down on the couch and ran my fingers through his hair. “Wake up, sleepyhead. You need to get to work.”
He swatted at my hand, grumbling as he turned over in his sleep. I smiled and started rubbing my hand over his stubbled face.
“Ethan, wake up, sweetheart. It’s time for school. Gotta get going before the tardy bell rings, baby,” I said in a mock motherly tone.
Ethan opened one eye and looked at me. “If that’s really you, Mom, I’m having a complete nightmare.”
I smacked him on the arm, laughing. He reached up and pulled me down over his chest in a bear hug, squeezing me tight. I could still smell the citrus scent of his cologne.
When he released me, I looked at him and realized once again just how handsome he was. His eyes were a deep hazel and his hair was completely messy in it’s spikes. His chin was peppered with stubble and scratched me as I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Whoever ended up with Ethan Baker was a very lucky girl.
“C’mon, sleepyhead. Mama will make you some breakfast,” I teased as I rose from the couch. I headed to the kitchen and pulled out some pancake mix. I got the eggs out of the fridge and started up the griddle. I heard Ethan head into the bathroom. A few minutes later he came out and joined me in the kitchen.
“You didn’t have to stay over, you know,” I told him as I whisked the batter. I felt him come up behind me, resting his chin on my shoulder.
“I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. I was worried about you and wanted to be here in case you needed me.”
I felt gratitude warm my heart and I turned to look at him. “Thank you.”
He smiled and tapped my nose with his finger. “Don’t mention it. You’d have done the same for me.”
He was right, I would have. I poured the batter onto the griddle and got some plates out. I set them over on the bar with some silverware. I was glad to see I still had some orange juice so I topped it off into two glasses for us. Ethan leaned back on the counter, taking a sip and looking at me over his glass. I was suddenly hit with feelings for him that I’d never felt before. The look he was giving me was intense...hot. I shook my head, telling myself it was just me reacting to Paul’s betrayal.
“So are you doing okay, Aly?” he asked.
I shrugged as I flipped the pancakes over. “As good as can be, I guess.”
He set his glass down on the counter and crossed his arms over his chest, looking at me intently. “You know I still want to kick his ass, right?”
I sighed as I flipped off the griddle. “Yeah, I know. But you won’t. Just leave it, Ethan.”
He came over to me and stopped me from putting the pancakes on our plates. Tipping my chin up to look at him, he smiled at me. “I won’t because you asked me not to, but I want to. I’ll always want to. He hurt you and in turn, hurt me. Nobody hurts you, Aly.”
I shivered at the intensity in his eyes. I knew he meant what he said and it meant so much to me. I didn’t know what I’d do without him.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and settled my head against his chest. He held me tight, never moving once. We stood there for what seemed like hours when I remembered the pancakes. They were cold by now.
“Hey, knight in shining armor,” I teased, “these pancakes are cold. Thank goodness for the microwave.” I plopped them on a plate and set them inside. When they were done, I set the plate down on the counter.
Ethan strode over the barstool and happily gobbled up the rewarmed pancakes. I chuckled at his hearty appetite and was grateful I’d made enough. I was full after two and rinsed my plate, putting it in the dishwasher.
When we were done cleaning up, Ethan walked over to the couch. He sat down and pulled on his shoes. “I guess I’d better get home and get ready for work. Don’t ask me how I’ll behave if I run into Paul, though.”
I let out a sigh. “Ethan, just be professional. This isn’t your problem to take on. I don’t want you to do anything that would risk your job.”
He stood and pulled me into another hug. “I won’t, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to,” he said, rubbing circles over my back.
“I know and I appreciate it. I want you to, as well, but it’s not going to happen. I’ll take care of Paul myself.”
Ethan gave me one last squeeze with a kiss on my cheek and left. After I closed the door behind him, I felt the damn tears again and I went into the bathroom, determined to beat them. Paul Pierce wouldn’t make me cry for forever, I’d get over him and what he did to me in time. I just wished I believed it.