Page 41 of Ethan & Grace

“Let’s go to the pub tomorrow or Saturday,” Kate suggested, covering her mouth with a hand to stifle a yawn. “We haven’t done that in ages. Rose will be happy. Maybe I can even persuade Henry to come along.”

“Sounds good. I’ll write in the group chat later.”

“Great,” Kate said, yawning again.

I gave her a look. “Tired?”

“A bit,” she admitted, yawning a third time. It was late, and given everything she’d told me over the past half hour, she had a long work week behind her already.

“You can go to bed if you want.”

“I don’t want to leave you on your own.”

“It’s OK. I’ll come soon.”

Kate eyed me doubtfully.

I nudged her knee with mine. “Go on, get lost.” It was probably her exhaustion rather than my powers of persuasion that convinced Kate. She got up and reached into the pocket of her leather jacket, which she’d thrown on over her pyjamas, and offered me her key card so I could let myself into the penthouse later.

I took it. “Thank you.”

She hugged me goodbye and I wished her goodnight. Then she was gone.

With a sigh, I sank deeper into the seat cushion and pulled the blanket up to my nose. It was a cold but clear night, and I could see across London for miles. There were hardly any stars, but the city lights sparkled just as beautifully. I couldn’t help thinking how much Amy would have loved this view. Every year on our birthday, she had asked for us to have breakfast at the Sky Garden, just to look out over London’s rooftops. Even though the food there was overpriced and mediocre at best.

“Are you following me?” a deep voice beside me suddenly asked.

I felt a pang of déjà vu as I looked up and saw Ethan. My heart skipped a beat, reminding me that it was just as unsettled as it had been during our last encounter a few days ago. Since our talk in the corridor, I’d made a concerted effort to avoid Ethan. It was bad enough that I couldn’t trust my body around him, but now my feelings too? That was dangerous. I couldn’t like someone like Ethan.

“I could ask you the same. I was here first.”

“That’s not true. I was at the bar. Ask Kate.”

“Oh,” I said. It was true that she’d been the one getting our drinks all evening, while I’d been too in my head to notice my surroundings.

Only now did I realise that Ethan was wearing a smart suit. It was hard to tell in the dim light whether it was black or dark blue. His tie was loose, and the top button of his shirt was undone. He looked fantastic. As always.

“Mind if I join you?” He nodded towards the empty seat next to mine.

My body shouted, Yes.

My heart called, Maybe.

My mind screamed, No!

What I said was “Sure. It’s a free country.”

Ethan didn’t just sit down next to me—he slid under the blanket to join me. He moved so close that our thighs pressed together. As if to test me, he rested his arm on the back of the seat. I wanted to lean into him, because my body still remembered just how nice it had felt to be held by him. And if his comfort already felt so good, how wonderful would it feel to have something more?

“What are you doing?” I asked all the same.

“I’m cold,” Ethan said. His tone was casual as usual, but I sensed there was more to it. He seemed to sense that I craved his closeness to feel better, even though I would never ask for it. “Relax.”

It was easier said than done. Heat rose to my cheeks, and a sharp tingling stirred in my lower stomach. I already found it hard to resist Ethan under normal circumstances, but sitting so close, it felt impossible.

“Why are you getting drunk on a Thursday evening?” he asked.

“First of all, I’m not drunk. And second, it’s none of your business.”