He’s so close I can’t think straight.
“Hattie,” he grinds out, and every muscle in my body freezes.
Holy shit. Why must this asshole be sofine?
“Ethan.” It comes out like a whisper.
Maybe I’m coming down with something too. That would explain why I feel so dizzy and hot.
“I’ll admit I went about this the wrong way,” he growls, and the corner of his mouth curves.
Not a smile, but something that might be distantly related somewhere in the animal kingdom. Like second cousins once removed.
“Um, okay?” I say.
“I came in here swinging, pointing fingers, and I’m sorry. Hardly the best approach when I need a favor.” He holds my gaze so strongly it feels illegal.
Are my knees okay?
“Let me try this again,” he says. “If you’ll consider my proposal, I’ll give you a down payment today.”
I watch as he reaches into his pocket.
A checkbook, I realize, as he flips it open.
“Half now, half on completion,” he says calmly. “Is that fair? Just don’t expect me to get down on one fucking knee.”
I frown, staring at the check he tears off, already written out.
My eyes need a second before the numbers come into focus.
$250,000.
A quarter million dollars.
My eyes roll back in my head, blinded by dollar signs, and everything goes sideways.
4
ALL THE MEMORIES (ETHAN)
As Hattie topples to the ground, I spring forward.
I catch her a split second before she crashes down on one of the piles of books stacked up next to the door.
What the hell is wrong with this girl?
She’s deadweight in my arms, knocked out cold, her eyes half-shut and her face blank.
“Not again. Look what you did,” Margot spits, exasperated.
I twist around to look at my sister. “How often does this happen? Does she have a condition?”
“Low blood pressure, I think. Sometimes a bad shock makes her woozy, and she’s had a few today. Let’s get her on the sofa.”
Without waiting for Margot’s help, I carry her over to the couch, trying to ignore the way she feels in my arms.
When did she get so soft?
