Laughing a little, Amanda said, “Yeah, of course. I just wasn’t ready for it.”
Wrapping his arms around her, he enveloped her, breathing her in and sighing. It felt like the last time. Even if they embraced again down the road, and he wasn’t confident they would, it wouldn’t be the same.
“I’m gonna go,” he said, pulling back and looking at her.
She nodded, her eyes searching his face, but without suspicion. “Okay.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow, if you want. So we can figure out what the next step is.”
Nodding, looking at his chest, she tucked a chunk of raven hair behind her ears. “I sort of already know. Tucker…”
Rolling his eyes, Ethan said, “Right.”
“I’m sorry, that was weird.”
“I never liked that guy.”
Smiling slightly, she said, “You never liked any guy. You’re such a caveman.”
“Yeah, well…” Returning her smile, he released her and took a step back.
“Um… I guess I’ll walk you to the door?” she said, taking a couple of tentative steps in that direction.
“You should keep that locked, by the way,” he pointed out.
Amanda rolled her eyes that time. “I knew you were coming. I usually do.”
Shufflin
g to the front door, they lingered awkwardly before he finally stepped outside. The rain still fell and she grimaced up at the sky, but he didn’t even try to cover himself that time as he headed for the steps.
“Hey,” she called, and he turned back. She stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Finally he saw something soft, like sympathy. “I’m sorry,” she said.
Offering a smile tinged with sadness, he told her, “Don’t be. None of this was your fault.”
She didn’t say anything else, just stood there until he turned around, and then she watched him leave.
Sitting in his car outside of Willow’s house, Ethan felt a moment of déjà vu, remembering so long ago when she’d first snuck out with him.
The phone in his hand remained lit as he waited for her to text back. He saw she’d read the message, but no indication she was responding.
The front porch light flickered on and the door eased open. He didn’t know if it was her or one of her family members, but he didn’t care.
Pushing open his car door, he jogged up to the front porch, feeling lighter the moment he saw Willow’s long hair swinging, the concerned frown on her beautiful face.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
A little breathless, water dripping from every part of him, he said simply, “I’m an asshole.”
She almost cracked a smile, but she only swayed slightly, planting her hip against the door. “You came all the way over here to tell me that?”
Ethan shook his head, advancing on her. An answering desire flickered in her gaze, but she remained tentatively guarded, even as she took a step back. He followed her inside, and continued to follow her as she backed up against the wall. Eyes traveling down her body, his hand followed, skimming her hip and moving around to the small of her back so he could pull her close.
“You’re getting me wet,” she murmured, amused.
“That was the idea,” he murmured, looking into those gray eyes of hers, blown away at how open she was to him, still, after everything. “You’re incredible, Willow. I hope you know that.”
Surprise flickered, replacing the amusement, and then she frowned, her perception kicking in, taking note that something had shifted in him. Her hand grazed his jaw line and she let him lean into her, ever so slightly.