“I used to, once. Before my mother got sick and my life fell apart. I used to enjoy going out to clubs and drinking and partying. But not anymore. Now I just crave peace and silence.”
“Well, there’s plenty of it here.” I gesture with my beer.
“Yeah,” she murmurs, an envious edge to her voice. When I look at her, though, she’s smiling. “I’m glad you have this for Ethan.”
We sit in the patio chairs, and the silence between us is different tonight, almost as if we’ve reached some sort of truce.
She breathes out slowly, looking at the long stretch of land. “I know it’s simple and there’s not much to look at, but it’s lovely.”
I look at her instead of the land. The moon catches the side of her face and her lashes and the column of her throat. “It is.”
She doesn’t notice I’m not looking at the lawn. Or she pretends not to.
I take a drink and lean back. “I’ve never seen Ethan that happy with anyone.” I keep my voice light. “The way he is with you.”
She’s quiet for a moment. “He’s a sweet kid.”
“He is.”
She glances at me sideways, a quick cut of her eyes. “Which is why it still surprises me that he came from you.”
“I told you. I can be sweet.”
She turns back to the yard. “Like a rattlesnake.”
“Rattlesnakes are—”
“If you say misunderstood, I’m going home.”
I shut my mouth.
She takes a pull of her beer. The corners of her mouth are twitching, and I grin, folding my free arm under my head.
“What are you going to do about the doctor?” I ask finally, looking over at her.
She blinks. “How do you know he’s a doctor?”
“I saw him at the hospital when I came to get my keychain.”
Miranda makes a sound. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I still have to work with him. Maybe if I’m lucky, he’ll think I’m too much of a hassle and leave me alone.”
“He didn’t seem like the type who likes to take no for an answer. He seemed pretty controlling. That kind can’t handle a blow to their egos.” Even as I utter the words, I clench my jaw. I know Axel’s type well enough. He’s not going to let it go. Maybe I was too hasty.
“Tell them I was rude.”
Miranda blinks. “Come again?”
I shrug, taking another sip of my beer. “Tell him I showed up and caused a scene. Pin it on me. I don’t mind. You can paint me as some disgruntled ex.”
Her lips part, and then she gives me a small smile. “Thanks, but I can fight my own battles.”
“I know you can.”
“Then why do you keep—” She stops and presses her lips together.
“Keep what?”
“Inserting yourself.” Her voice isn’t angry. Just tired. “The parking lot. Tonight. Why?”
