We’d been each other’s security blanket for years and years.
“I miss him every day,” I admitted. “Just not as my fiancé, if that makes sense.”
She nodded. “I get it. You remember David. We were similar.”
Of course. Ofcourse. She knew very well. Gage and Gray’s biological dad had split because he’d been a wanderlusting narcissist, but Gabriel and Gideon’s dad was slightly different, even though he wasn’t around either. If I remembered correctly, David was a doctor, and he lived and worked in Africa. At least he felt guilty for following his dreams instead of being with his kids. But knowing the man Chloe had eventually married, I wasn’t sure the boys had any complaints anymore. Aiden would move mountains for them.
Wasn’t that the dream? To find someone who would move mountains for you.
Evening, Natalie. Are you packed and ready to go?
I was packed and ready to cancel.
Blah.
I responded after wheeling my luggage to the hallway.
I’m packed. And I have my helpful list of snacks and advice in my purse. :)
He’d emailed it earlier, and I was so grateful. These trips tended to be stressful, and I was used to ordering room service or DoorDashing my butt off.
For this trip, I was going to do things differently. I’d order ingredients to make a big salad instead, and I’d called my hotel to make sure I had a fridge in my room.
I wandered aimlessly around my living room while I waited for Ethan to reply. I had one more workout in the morning and then a couple conference calls. Gray had kindly offered to drive me to Seattle, but now that my car was working again, I would just leave it in the short-term lot. I’d be back by Tuesday.
The flowers in the windows looked a little sad, so I grabbed the watering can under the sink in the kitchen and went to give them water.
Whoa.
I stopped short when I spotted Ethan across the street, holding the door to the gym. He wasn’t alone.
The blinds were partially closed, so I felt I could snoop.
Was he flirting with that woman?
My stomach knotted with unease, not unlike the time he’d told me about his crappy dates. I didn’t freaking like him or anything—not in that way—but my jealousy wanted to call me a big fat liar.
He couldn’t be flirting with her. She was a big girl too. His charming smile had to be firmly in place because he was simply running a business. Right?
Don’t flirt with her, you manwhore!
Oh my God, what was wrong with me?
The woman laughed at something he’d said, and she was laying it on thick. She twirled her fucking hair and touched his arm.
He soaked it up.
At least he wasn’t flexing in front of her. I hadn’t seen him shirtless all week, come to think of it.
Wrap it up. Ethan, you have a text to reply to.
“Uaargh.” I did a whole-body shudder-cringe-shake and walked away from the window. This wasn’t me. I didn’t get jealous. I had no reason tobejealous! Ethan was single. I was single. I had two dating apps and everything! I didn’t even know for sure if they were flirting down there—and even if they were, good for them. “Gah.” Unable to help myself, I hurried back to the window and sucked in a breath. For some unknown reason, I had to know how this was going to end.
On the one hand, if something happened—if I caught them exchanging numbers or…whatever, then I’d know Ethan was, well, also into bigger women. Right? Not that it mattered to me, obviously, but a girl could be curious. And then on theotherhand…if they parted ways and?—
“No fucking way.” I peered closer between the blinds. The woman was fucking going for it. She took a step toward him and trailed a finger up his biceps—you bitch—and Ethan glanced down at her hand.
He smirked and lifted his stare to her face again, and he replied to her. My God, what I wouldn’t give to be able to hear him.
