"I'm motivated." I sink into the chair across from him. "But I need to run something by you."
"Go ahead."
"The book. A first edition ofPride and Prejudiceis expensive. Like, really expensive."
"How expensive?"
"Five to fifteen thousand."
Ethan doesn't even blink. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"Lily, I told you money isn't an issue. If that's what it costs, that's what it costs."
"But that's insane."
"Why?" He tilts his head. "It's meaningful. It's rare. And it's something Claire will treasure forever. She’ll leave it to one of her children and it’ll become a family heirloom. That's worth the cost."
I don't know what to say to that.
"You're not used to people spending money on things that matter, are you?" he says quietly.
"I... no. I guess not."
"Well, get used to it." His gaze holds mine. "You matter, Lily. And I'm not going to apologize for valuing you, either."
My throat tightens. I don’t know what to say and so I say nothing at all.
He stands. "Now, let's take a break. Have you eaten?"
"Not since the coffee."
"Unacceptable. Come on."
He leads me back to the kitchen and starts pulling ingredients from the fridge. Eggs. Cheese. Vegetables.
"You're making me breakfast?"
"Technically, it's brunch. But yes."
I watch him crack eggs into a bowl with the same precision he probably uses at work.
"Can I help?"
"Can you chop vegetables without losing a finger?"
"I’ve managed this far in life." I hold up my fingers and wiggle them around. He raises an eyebrow and smiles at me before answering.
"Then yes."
He hands me a knife and a cutting board, and we work side by side in comfortable silence.
It's domestic. And I'm acutely aware of every time our arms brush.
"Can I ask you something?" I say.
"Always."
