“Friends with benefits, though? That’s what you called us.”
“Em, you said that’s what you wanted.” He nodded as he spoke, holding her closer. “Did I misunderstand?”
They said nothing for a beat before he had to get it out. Had to say what needed to be said. She leaned into him, hanging on as he turned them. Letting him lead and following his direction.
He wouldn’t lead her off course. That’s a promise he made to himself.
He moved his lips to her forehead and pressed a kiss there. It wasn’t so somebody would take a pic and post it. It was authentic.
Nothing outrageous, but hopefully it did broadcast his sincerity. This was more than just the two of them.
This was more.
This was about a future.
“I’m falling into a whole lot of like with you, Em.” His voice was rough as he spoke. He hadn’t meant for that to happen. He’d wanted the words to be strong, firm, and everything he desired to be for her.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured, but she didn’t release her grip.
The words were not good.
“For what?” he asked, hoping this was something he could fix.
“That this is ending,” she said, tilting her head to the right as she looked up under her eyelashes.
He nodded. This was a right bloody mess.
“I don’t want to live this life anymore,” she said. “I don’t want to go backwards. So, I guess it’s back to the original plan. It’s time.”
His heart genuinely hurt with her words.
Ethan cleared his throat.
She seemed to argue about something in her own head. He didn’t totally dig that because it probably wouldn’t bode well for him.
“I don’t like this.” She shook her head. “The maneuvering. That’s why I got away from it. Why I came to Denver.”
“Em, don’t make this something it’s not.” He pulled her closer and held on.
But that’s when she let go.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
EMMALINE
“You looklike somebody peed in your champagne, girlfriend,” Barbie said from Em’s sofa, Sketch cuddled right up against her. With more fabric again in his mouth… Damn, Em was going to need new socks it looked like. Annie and Fiona watched a movie in sleeping bags on the floor, surrounded by loads of pillows.
“How was the party?” Barbie asked, clicking off the television.
Well…
Emmaline blew out a breath between her lips.
“Let’s head out, Annie,” Ethan said, and he sounded like she felt.
“It’s still early,” Annie pointed out, sharing a panicked glance with Fiona.
They had left the reception early. Early enough so it was only starting to get dark outside.
