“Are you okay?” I ask.
“I’ve been better,” Ethan says and the man next to him shoots him an annoyed look. “What about you? Did you fall off your horse again?”
“No,” I say pointedly, unable to keep the smile from my face. “I’m here to see my mom.”
“Oh, uh, sorry. Is she sick?”
I shake my head. “She’s a doctor. I have to show her these.” I hold up the papers, as if Ethan cares. The man next to Ethan looks from him to me and back again.
“I’ll be in the car,” he says and gives me a forced smile before breezing past and into the elevator.
“Are you more put together today?” Ethan asks. “Since you’re not drunk?”
“Oh my god.” I bring my hand to my face and shake my head. “I’m so sorry for how obnoxious I was last night.”
“You really weren’t. Though, I am curious if you really are as put together as you claim.” He leans back, letting his eyes wander over my body. I’m sweaty, with a grass stain on the left knee of my pale pink breeches. I didn’t check, but I probably have white fur all over the back of my black tank top from Mystery rubbing his head against me. My auburn hair is in a messy braid, all flat at the top from sweating under my helmet.
I definitely don’t look put together today.
“I suppose that would depend on your definition of put together.”
He laughs, smile splitting his handsome face. “I think being put together is overrated, if you ask me.”
“Me too. Mostly because I can’t get my shit together to save my life. Though I promise I’m not as rambley as I was last night.”
“I liked you being rambley,” he says, using my made-up word.
“Well, good. That makes one of us.”
“You got home all right last night?”
“I did.” And then I saw a ghost, which isn’t a rare sighting for me. “I would say you did, but you look a little banged up.”
“This is nothing. My dad and I were hiking, and the terrain got rough.”
“Oh,” I say, mind racing to think of anywhere nearby that has rough terrain. “I enjoy hiking. Have you been to Green Lake yet? The lake is green, like literally the water is green. Hence the name.”
“I haven’t but sounds interesting. Why is the water green?”
“It has something to do with the calcium levels or something. It’s really pretty.”
“I’ll definitely have to check it out.” He takes a step closer. “I want to take you out,” he says, and the directness takes me aback.
“Like on a date?”
“No, to murder you in the woods. Yes, Anora, I’d like to take you on a date. You’re interesting.”
I smile. “I agree with you there. And yes, I’d like that.”
“Give me your phone.”
I reach into my purse and pull out my phone, holding it up to my face to unlock it. Ethan’s fingers brush over my hand when he takes the phone, and I can sense the warmth of his skin this time. He’s not a vampire, as I found out last night, but there’s still something off about him. It should be a red flag, but it’s drawing me in for some reason.
“I texted myself so now we have each other’s numbers.” He hands my phone back and I laugh when I see he texted an eggplant emoji.
“Trying to hint at something?” I raise my eyebrows, feeling my pulse pick up. I’m not a good flirt, and I’m well aware of it.
“Hey, if the night leads to it…” He flashes that cocky grin again. “Friday night good?”
“Yeah, it’s—oh, dammit. I think I’m going to be in Indiana then.” I make a face. “My aunt died, and I’m supposed to go to her house there to, uh, get things in order.” It’s a fair enough explanation, I think.
“Shit, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’ve never met her,” I say automatically. “Though I actually think I did. When I was really little,” I quickly add. “That’s why I’m headed to see my mom. I have paperwork for her to go over regarding my aunt.”
While I was at the barn, James texted me several available flights to and from Indiana. I get the feeling he’s eager to get me to the house and get all the papers signed so he can be done with me. I was able to move next Saturday’s lessons to Thursday and had him book me a flight to Indiana on Friday. I’ll arrive back here Sunday night.
“I’ll be back on Sunday and don’t have to work until Wednesday though. I’m not opposed to going out on a weekday, if you’re not.”
“I’m not at all. Monday night then?”
“Yeah,” I say, trying not to smile like a goon. “Monday will work.”
He holds my gaze for a few beats. “I’ll call you.”
“And I’ll answer.”
He laughs again. “Good, don’t crush my ego.”