Page 61 of Watch Me

“I’m not letting you leave again,” hestated.

As I looked into his deep blue eyes, I understood. Ethan thought that if I drove away, I wouldn’t return for twenty-three years. That, of course, wouldn’t happen. I wanted to stay and not leave. Forever.

“But, it can just be until this is all over,” I suggested. I could leave temporarily—just until they caught the guy, however long that may be—so Ethan could see his kids. They were more important thanme.

“No.” He shook his head and pulled me to him, wrapping me in his arms. “Don’t you get it, Buttercup? Our relationship is only easy when we’re together. We spent twenty-three years apart, and we’re never going to be apart again.”

“But—”

Ethan silenced me by placing his finger over my lips. “No buts. Everything will work out the way it’s meant to.”

There was no point in arguing with him. “Okay. I should go before I’m late.” If the judge decided in Jessica’s favor, then I would revisit the suggestion that I shouldleave.

He kissed me again as though he wanted to remind me that he loved me and couldn’t get enough of me. That he was starving for me. We broke apart after several long moments. “Have a good day at work, Buttercup. I love you.”

I smiled and sighed, happy. “I love you too.”

With lingering hands, we finally broke apart. I walked through the door, and Ethan went toward his car. I still had the feeling of being a teenager when I was with him. Ethan kissing me at the door of my work reminded me of when we were in high school, and I worked at an ice cream shop. He made sure to kiss me before I clocked in, and he always drove mehome.

As I walked past Judy’s office, I stuck my head in through the open door and saidhello.

“Hey, Reagan. You doing okay?”

I smiled at the older blonde who had owned the bar since I was a kid. “Yes, I’m good.”

“I mean with the break-in.”

I gave another small smile. “I’ve been staying at my boyfriend’s. He’s keeping me safe.”

“Well, don’t walk outside alone. We don’t want to take any chances.”

“I won’t. He’s coming back at the end of my shift to drive me home.” I blinked at my last word.Home? Was Ethan’s placehome?

“Good.”

I turned and made my way down the skinny hall to where the lockers were, stopping just short when I saw what looked like a flower looped through my lock. I moved closer and saw that it was a light purple Persian buttercup. Slipping it out, I ran my fingers along the petals and realized it was fake. They weren’t in season, so that madesense.

Taking my phone out of my purse, I sent a text to Ethan:Thank you for the flower. I love it and I love you. Always.

I opened my locker and placed my purse and jacket inside. Before closing the door, my phone started to ring, and Ethan’s name appearing on thescreen.

“Hey—”

“I didn’t give you a flower.”

I froze, and my heart fell to the pit of my stomach. “What?”

“I didn’t give you a flower,” he repeated. My mouth opened, but no words came out. “Where was it?”

“On my locker.”

The back door flew open, and Ethan stalked through it. It was as though he’d turned his car around when he got my text because he was just down the alley. Or maybe he hadn’t had time to pull away yet. “Let me see.”

A few long strides put him in front of me. I tried to hand him the flower, but he shook hishead.

Judy stuck her head out of her office. “Is everything okay?”

Ethan turned to her while I pressed the disconnect button to end the call. “Yes, Judy.” Ethan stuck out his hand. They shook as he continued. “I’m Sergeant Valor and Reagan’s boyfriend. Do you know who put this on her locker?”