Bad Romeo Christmas: A Starcrossed Anthology (Starcrossed #4)(10)

I press the heels of my hands into my eye sockets and take deep breaths.

Calm down, Cassie. You're projecting. Ethan loves you. He'd never hurt you like that. Stop letting old wounds dictate your state of mind.

It's amazing how I always hear my affirmations in Dr. Kate's voice. Right now, she'd be disappointed I'm jumping to the worst possible conclusion. I've gotten better at not doing it, but I guess I'm not bullet-proof just yet.

I almost scream in surprise when warm hands close around my wrists, and I open my eyes to see Ethan pulling them away from my face. "Hey. You okay?" He's sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at me with concern. "God, sweetheart. You don't look well. Are you going to hurl? Should I get a bowl?"

I almost laugh. Hangover vomits are the least of my troubles right now.

"I'm fine," I say and take his hand. "Just feeling a bit woozy. Nothing more sleep won't fix."

He leans over and kisses me gently. "Do you want me to stay? I have some errands to run for Mom, but I can always do them later."

"No, that's okay. I know if you miss out on those limited-edition ornaments out in Brooklyn, Maggie's going to freak out. I'll be fine."

He kisses me again. "If you're sure."

He gives me a smile then proceeds to get dressed. I try to keep my breathing calm while trying to imagine him ever meaning as much to Vanessa as he does to me. I can't do it. There's just no way any other woman could possibly love him as much as I do.

"So," I say, trying to be casual. "You're going to see Vanessa?"

He sits on the edge of the bed as he tugs on his boots. "I don't know. I mean, we haven't made a time to meet or anything. Why? Would it bug you if I did?"

"A little." Okay, so that's a massive understatement, but any honesty right now is a step in the right direction.

Ethan gives me a sympathetic look. "Cassie, if clearing the air with Vanessa bothers you even a little, I won't do it. Just say the word. Nothing is as important to me as you."

Aaaand, now I feel like an idiot for even bringing it up. "No, it's fine. Really." The logical part of me knows it would be healthy for him to confront her about how she treated him in the past. If I denied him that, I'd never forgive myself. "You should do it. I mean, you never got closure with her, right? It would be good to finally put the whole betrayal thing behind you."

"Yeah?"

"Yes, absolutely." Jesus, okay, idiot. Don't oversell it.

He finishes lacing his boots and leans over to kiss me. "Okay, I'll organize it. But remember, you can abort the whole thing at any time. And if you want to come with me, I'm fine with it."

I shake my head. "That would be weird. You guys have stuff to hash out. I'd just be an awkward distraction."

"Well, you're always a distraction. Even when you're not with me." He gives me a lusty smile. "So, I'd better take off. I'll see you at the theater tonight?"

"Yep. I'll be there." I may be a raging jealous freak by then, but I'll be there.

"Love you."

"Love you, too."

You'd think that would be enough to reassure me I have nothing to fear from Vanessa, right?

If only.

If. Only.





THREE


Ethan




The Home of Maggie and Charles Holt

New York City, New York



"Mom! Dad! We're here!" I pull my key out of the front door and close it behind me as Christmas carols echo down the hallway. Knowing mom, I'm willing to bet she's had her extensive Christmas playlist on repeat for weeks now. Whenever Dad complains, she says, "Charles, the song says to 'jingle all the way', so get on board. No one likes a half-assed jingler."

No matter how many times she says it, Dad tries not to laugh but always fails. I can't blame him. It still makes me laugh, too. Mom has a way of cracking me up that no one else can match. Well, except for Cassie.

Wait a minute...

Panic seizes me as I wonder if I fell in love with a woman just like my mom. I quickly come to the conclusion that based on culinary skill alone, they couldn't be more different.

Phew. Oedipus complex averted.

As Cassie and I remove our coats, Mom calls out to come see her in the kitchen. That's followed by the sound of my parents' hyperactive Pomeranian, Tribble, yapping excitedly. She goes berserk whenever she hears my voice, and within seconds the tiny fluff ball appears, scampering down the hall in a blur of tan fur and excited black eyes. I take the precaution of ushering Cassie behind me. The little dog has gotten better at tolerating the woman she believes has replaced her in my affections, but Tribble can still be a bitch when the mood takes her.

"Hey, baby," I say, and scoop her up with one hand. "How've you been, Trib? Did you miss me?"

Tribble's whole body shakes as she tries to lick my face. "Come on. Stop it. I can't kiss you in front of Cassie. You know how she gets. She'll fly into a jealous rage."

Cassie comes to my side and squeezes my bicep. "Damn straight. And if you think I'm too cool to throw down with a microscopic dog, welcome to being wrong forever. So watch it, Tribble, or it's you and me with pistols at dawn."