Saved by Love (Willow Valley Book 3)(18)

"I'm the last one to defend that man, Ab. You know that. But I'm starting to wonder if he's regretting some of his choices now that he's getting older."

Abby knew there was no love lost between Jesse and their father. She often wondered if she'd gotten the better end of the deal having grown up without him, rather than enduring some of the things Jesse had told her about his childhood.

"Well, regardless, you know I'll be there. What time?"

"Two." He glanced around the empty store. "Why don't you go ahead and cut out of here? There won't be much business on a Friday night. Start your weekend early." The store was doing well enough now that they'd been able to hire local teens to help out on the weekends, giving Abby full weekends off.

"Sounds good to me," she replied. On an impulse, she reached out and hugged her brother around the neck. "Thanks for everything. It's good to know you're there to take someone out if he breaks my heart." She gave him a crooked smile.

Jesse cracked his knuckles. "Always happy to be of service."

Laughing, Abby grabbed her purse from under the counter and headed for the door, calling over her shoulder, "See you Sunday!"

As she climbed into her car and started home, the nerves in her stomach resurfaced as she thought of her date with Ethan. But unlike her typical nerves of dread and fear, this time she only felt excitement and anticipation. Maybe she was recovering better than she thought.





CHAPTER SIX





Ethan checked his reflection in the mirror once more before he headed upstairs to pick up Abby, this time grabbing a ball cap that hung on a hook and pulling it down over his hair. He was still trying to make sure he didn't push Abby away, so he didn't want to look like he was trying too hard. Ice cream at Kate's Diner didn't require more than shorts and a t-shirt. Casual was good, right?

At the last minute he yanked it off and threw it on the couch as he walked out the door. He was being ridiculous. Since when had he worried about what he wore on a date? Rolling his eyes, he took the stairs up to her floor two at a time, then knocked on her door.

When she opened it and smiled up at him, his pulse kicked into overdrive.

"Hey, gorgeous." He couldn't stop himself from reaching out to toy with a strand of her silky hair. She'd left it down again, just the way he liked it.

"Hey yourself. Come on in. I just have to grab my bag." She stepped back and gestured for him to come in, then turned and disappeared into the bedroom.

It was the first time Ethan had been back in her apartment since the day she moved in, and he took a minute to look around. It didn't look too different in the living room. No couch. No real decorations. She had added a couple barstools at the open counter that connected to the kitchen. He could see a coffee pot next to the sink. The boxes were all gone, but there was surprisingly little set out to give him an indication of her life.

She walked back out of the bedroom with a purse slung over her shoulder and he took in her outfit. She wore a thin, lightweight sweater and short white shorts. He couldn't stop himself from noticing just how long the shorts made her legs look.

When he realized he was staring, he dragged his eyes back to her face and found her watching him with pursed lips and a cocked eyebrow. "Do I meet your approval?"

He grinned and closed the distance between them. "Do you even have to ask?" He snaked an arm around her waist and leaned down until their lips were a mere inch apart. "You're beautiful."

A smile spread across her face as she tilted her head up slightly. "You're not so bad yourself."

Ethan wanted nothing more than to skip the ice cream all together and stay right where they were, but he if he wanted her to know that he was interested in more than just kissing her—no matter how inviting those lips were—they needed to get going.

He brushed his lips lightly over hers, then said, "Let's go."

Once in his car, he rolled down the windows. The weather was gorgeous. The hot day had faded into a breezy late summer evening.

"So, tell me," he began as he pulled the Porsche onto the main road. "Do you not believe in couches or television?"

Abby laughed, but he saw her shift uncomfortably from the corner of his eye. "I just didn't bring much with me when I moved here. I don't really need that much, to be honest. I was living in an extended stay when I first got here while I decided if I'd be here long term. Then when Lissa moved out, I decided I might as well get a place. I guess I'll get around to decorating. It just hasn't been a priority."

"So you decided to stay long term, then?" He was surprised by how very much he wanted her to say yes.

She nodded. "This is where my family is now. And I'm liking it more than I thought."

He wanted to ask her more about her family, not to be nosy, but just because he found he wanted to know everything about her. She was still such a mystery. But he didn't want to pry, so he chose his words carefully.

"I'm sure Jesse was excited to meet you. Did you grow up an only child too?"

She bit down on her lip and looked out the window, not saying anything for a minute. He saw her take a deep breath, then she turned back to him.

"It was just me and my mom growing up." She gave him a small smile. "I actually always wanted a sibling, so it's kind of bittersweet. I have him now, but we've missed all of our lives together up until now."