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I snort, shaking my head. “Yeah, right. I’ve barely been able to keep these two under control since they got here.”
“Give yourself some credit. They’re not easy dogs to handle, but you’re doing fine.”
I just mumble a quick thanks and focus on getting the dogs back inside. Once we’re in the yard, Ethan kneels to give them each a pat on the head before I usher the dogs inside. I can’t help but notice how naturally he interacts with them. It’s like he was made for this, and I kind of like seeing a soft side of him.
Maybe I’ve misjudged him. Maybe there’s more to Ethan than I’ve been willing to see. But just as I start to entertain the thought, he stands up and turns to me with that same easy smile.
“I’ve got to get to work now, but don’t forget about dinner. I’ll see you at six for the dogs and at seven for dinner. If you still want to.”
“Yes, I still want dinner.”
And I want what he’s promising me afterward, but I don’t say anything about that. Finally, the last dog is inside, and it’s just Ethan and me.
He stands there for a second. His scrubs are a little morewrinkled than they were before, but he still looks sexy as anything. He leans a little closer. “Can I kiss you before I go?”
“Please.”
He leans closer and presses his lips against mine. It sends a warm buzz through me, a little feeling of desire that sparks up some crazy ideas in my head. When Ethan pushes his tongue through my lips, my body responds automatically.
I wrap my arms around him and pull him closer to me. I feel something stiff between us, but then, Ethan pulls away. “See you tonight.”
I watch as he walks back across the moist grass to his house. Before he reaches his driveway, I turn and head inside. The dogs are draped all over the furniture, and they barely lift their heads when I come into the room.
Good, Ethan was right about one thing. They are tired out.
I work on fixing myself some breakfast, thinking about how that kiss with Ethan affected me. The best explanation I have is that it’s been too long since I’ve had good sex with anyone. That must be why I’m so desperate to spend time with him tonight.
Now that the dogs are tired out, my day stretches in front of me without much to fill it.
As I’m sitting down to eat breakfast, my phone buzzes in my pocket, and I instinctively pull it out to check. It’s a text from Aurora in the group chat:Emergency at Groovy Grounds. Need everyone there at six!!!!!!
I quickly glance at the screen and then tuck my phone back into my pocket, pretending I didn’t see the message. The last thing I want right now is to deal with whatever “emergency” Aurora has cooked up. I’m not even sure whatit could be, but I don’t know if I can face Aurora after what I’ve done with her father. Even just thinking about Aurora jumpstarts the guilty feeling in my stomach.
The group chat suddenly comes alive with messages.
Zoey:What’s going on?
Mia:I’ll be there.
Stella:Aurora, if this is another excuse to make us all bring you chocolate, it’s not going to work.
I decide to take a shower so that I’m not tempted to pick up my phone every time it buzzes. I make the mistake of bringing it into the bathroom though, and as I’m rinsing off, I can hear it buzzing against the counter every few seconds. I know my friends will wonder what’s happened to me if I don’t respond soon. I’m the only person without a “real” job, so if I don’t respond, they’ll start to turn their attention toward me. And I don’t need any extra attention.
I close my eyes and try to block out the buzzing as I rub the bar of soap all over my body. I imagine that it’s Ethan’s hands, coming up my side and finding my breast, then moving down between my legs.
My phone buzzes again, and the mood is broken.
I sigh and step out of the shower, dripping everywhere as I silence my phone and read the string of texts that has come through since I started showering.
Aurora:I can’t give details right now. I’m about to be at work. But I need you all there.
Stella:You know I have nothing else to do. I’ll be there. But I’m not bringing any chocolate.
Aurora:Enough with the chocolate. I’ll buy you a coffee, Stella.
Stella:I’ll be there. Calm down.
Zoey:I’ll be there too, but I might be a little late. I have an extra client today.