Page 6 of Lovestrung

It might have been five years since that night happened, but whenever I thought about my poor attempt at seducing him, his rejection still stung.

That’s why I was planning on getting rid of my roots and to start travelling as soon as I could.

As long as I was near Ethan, I knew I’d never be able to get over him.

And I needed to do that. I needed it badly.

“Helloooo! Earth to Pip.”

Ella’s impatient voice broght me back from my impromptu trip down memory lane.

“Sorry,” I shook my head. “I’m here. I must’ve spaced out for a second there.”

“That’s okay. So, want to come by my place, hang out?”

“I would, but I have to go home and take Bernie for his walk.”

“Okay, but if you change your mind, text me.”

“I will. Bye, hon.”

After we said our goodbyes, I went home to do exactly what I’d told her I’d do – if Bernie was up for it, of course. He tended to be the happiest when he could spend all day sleeping instead of moving his rather impressive butt.

I hefted my bag on my shoulder and blew out a soft breath when I reached my home.

Home.

It didn’t feel like my home, though I had to admit that having to share a house with Gramps wasn’t such a bad thing, and that I should feel lucky I hadn’t had to pay rent while I’d been living here for the past two years. But, since I’d always known the day would come when I’d finally be able to travel, it had been the perfect arrangement for the both of us. I didn’t mind doing the grocery shopping or cleaning the house at all – the last part was surprisingly soothing – and I adored my grandfather. I loved listening to his stories about his travels, and the truth was that he needed someone to look after him.

But home would always be the big log house close to Lake Anna where I’d grown up with my brothers, Parker and Max.

And…Ethan.

Enough.

I mentally gave my behind a hard kick when my thoughts veered off in his direction, but it was difficult to do when I could hardly remember a time when he hadn’t been a part of my life.

But enough was enough. I needed to move on and forget him, once and for all.

Quickly, I took the three steps up to Gramps’ place and opened the door.

“I’m home,” I shouted as I closed it behind me. “Gramps? Where are you?”

“In the kitchen,” I heard his rumbling voice from the back of the hall and quickly shuffled out of my shoes before going in that direction. I frowned when I took a whiff, my mouth watering at the spices drifting in the air.

“Since when did you learn how to cook?” I laughed but then came to a complete stop in the doorway when I saw it wasn’t my dear old grandfather at the stove.

Oh, for the love of…

There he was – the object of my obsession – with his back to me, and cooking for me and my Gramps from the looks of it.

“Hey,” he said, his voice so low I could barely hear it. He tilted his head in my direction but only glanced at me briefly before whatever he was cooking got his attention.

Surprised at seeing him, I could only nod once.

I felt like a little girl now that my feet were bare because of his size – I’d always felt like a midget whenever I stood next to him because he was well over six feet tall and I was a mere five foot three – but now, seeing him at the other end of the kitchen, it made me realize that it wasn’t my lack of height that made me feel like that. It was him, plain and simple. He exuded a quiet confidence, commanding the room he was in, but was never arrogant. In fact, he listened more than he spoke, which was probably why pretty much all animals were drawn to him. But it was also the reason I became either tongue-tied or babbled like a maniac whenever he was near. That, and his good looks – it was unfair to all womankind. His almost-black hair cut low at the sides and longer on the top, flopping into his eyes constantly. His long, straight nose, high cheekbones, and a jaw that looked like it was cut like a diamond made my toes curl with want. His full lips that I bet knew exactly what to do to a woman…yeah, I was pretty obsessed with his lips.

Damn him for looking like a model. It was so unfair.