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Ethan: This is fucked, huh?
I text him back right away.
Mal: Yeah. Is Vi okay?
Ethan: Surprised, but okay. Since Asher… she's not great with death.
Mal: Ironic, considering.
Ethan: Don't mention that to her. She doesn't appreciate the irony of the goth babe being skittish about death.
The bathroom door clicks open. Lacey moves into the main room and wrestles with her dresser.
Ethan: You okay?
It's rare anyone asks me that. I'm the one who holds shit together. I'm the one who asks people if they're okay.
Mal: Right now.
Ethan: You with Lacey?
Mal: Yeah.
Ethan: I know you hate advice, but this is one place where I actually know more than you.
Mal: And?
Ethan: Asher's death was what destroyed me and Vi the first time and we had three years together. We were young and stupid and I know you'd never be stupid.
Mal: Why do I detect sarcasm?
Ethan: I won't ask if it's serious, because I know you'll deny it. Don't make her guess if you need her. With Vi, I was stupid. I let my ego get in the way. I let my hurt get in the way. Don't do that. If you're serious about her, she's going to be your fucking lifeline.
Damn, he's a romantic. But then I can't argue with his reasoning. Ethan's been through this before, only on the other side.
He lost the woman he loved because grief swallowed her whole.
He's already talking like Mom is dead.
Am I a fucking fool for believing there are any other possibilities?
It's a ten-minute drive to a cozy brunch spot by the beach. Heads turn when Lacey and I walk in. Not because I'm famous or because her ass is perfect.
She's wearing last night's dress and heels—she insisted it was only fair, since I was in last night's slacks.
We're the one-night stand turned breakfast.
We're perfect gossip fodder for every person here.
The hostess smiles as she grabs menus. "Something on the patio, maybe? It's romantic."
"Romantic is perfect." Lacey winks up at me. "Don't you think, uh… it was something with an M?"
I chuckle as I slide my hand to her ass. "You don't remember? You were screaming it all night."
The hostess blushes. "Right this way."
"Oh… like the Jurassic Park guy? Ian, right?" Lacey teases.
