Page 3 of I’m Already Gone

“AH!” I shrieked. I tried to dodge him, but Ethan knew my every move.

He leaped, his strong arms wrapping around my waist, lifting me effortlessly off my feet.

“Mine!” he grunted, a possessive, sexy growl against my ear. He held me tight, my legs kicking playfully in the air.

“No!” I gasped, laughing.

He adjusted his grip, hoisting me up until I was slung over his shoulder.

“Ethan!” I protested. “Put me down!”

“No can do, Sunshine,” he declared, already striding into the ocean. “The game is called Grab and Splash for a reason.”

“Splash! Splash! Splash!” Jake and Maddy yelled, jumping up and down.

The water rose past Ethan’s knees, then his waist. I squirmed, but secretly, I loved every single minute of it—the scent of his mint aftershave and the feel of his solid body beneath me.

“Don’t you dare, Ethan James!” I warned, though my voice was shaking with laughter.

“Sorry, Lily,” he said in a voice that said he was anything but sorry. “But the kids are demanding a show. And I plan to deliver.”

Before I could object, Ethan dove forward. The ocean embraced us both, a sudden, cold shock. I slipped from his shoulder as we hit the water.

I came up sputtering, my hair plastered to my face, salty water stinging my eyes. I wiped a hand across my face, pushing the wet strands back, clearing my vision. “You’re insane!” I accused, still laughing.

Ethan shook his head like a wet dog, sending a spray of droplets everywhere, then ran a hand through his messy hair. He grinned that stupidly handsome grin, pulling me close, the ocean swirling around our waists.

“Happy birthday, Sunshine.”

My heart swelled, a wave of warmth washing over me, warmer than any sun. I leaned into him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “You’re lucky I’m crazy in love with you, Ethan James.”

His grin grew even wider, ridiculously, stupidly big. He squeezed me tight, his voice a soft murmur against my lips. “I promise I’ll never let you go, Lily. I love you so much.”

This was our life. This was our family. I am so incredibly grateful for each of them being the reason this is the happiest of birthdays. And I would forever hold onto this moment, no matter what came our way.

Lily

“Hey, Mom. Where’s my blue shirt?” Jake asked.

I looked up from wiping down the kitchen counter to see him framed in the doorway.

“Honey, you have to be more specific,” I replied. “Which blue shirt are you referring to? You have more than one.”

“My swim team shirt,” he clarified, a sigh escaping him. “It’s spirit day tomorrow.”

“I think it’s hanging up in the laundry room.”

He crossed the threshold into the kitchen, disappearing into the laundry room connected to the garage.

I returned my attention to cleaning the countertops when I heard the soft click of the front door opening.

Ethan is finally home.

My gaze shot to the clock on the microwave: 7:05 p.m. He’d texted that he’d be late, but that was an hour and a half ago. An hour and a half since I’d sent him a message asking for an update, a message that had gone unanswered.

Ethan walked into the kitchen, his tie already loosened, the top button of his dress shirt undone. Even after a long day, the sharp lines of his suit clung to his broad frame, and he still looked undeniably handsome.

“Hi,” I greeted him.