“Let’s do it,” he says, his wide smile mirroring my own.
We swing our legs over the side of the bed, and I buzz with a renewed energy as we get ready together. I can’t wait to see her again. For a second, I consider nipping back to make Juniper acoffee or hot chocolate to really apologise and make up for what was said. But then I remember—still no fucking power.
Once we’re dressed, Ethan and I chase each other down the hall, laughter echoing as we enter the living room. But—
“Juniper?” I call, glancing around. Ethan looks as perplexed as I am. Where is she?
The sunlight bathes the open space in a burning gold, highlighting two pairs of boots by the door. Two coats. And one blanket neatly folded on the arm of the sofa.
The room is empty.
Juniper’s gone.
Chapter Twelve
Istridetowardsthedoor,peering outside.
The sky is a haze of white, snow drifting like feathers. It would be beautiful if I wasn’t so bloody worried.
“Come on!” I reach for my snow boots then glance back at Ethan. “We have to find her!” I shove my feet inside, not bothering to loosen the laces.
Ethan doesn’t move.
“Ethan?” I reach for my coat, almost ready to go, but he stands there, his expression distant. My eyebrows draw together as I urge him to move his sexy ass. “Are you coming or not?”
He doesn’t move.
“Darling?”
He takes a breath then finally walks towards me. “Right. Yes. Sorry.”
I shuffle aside as he fumbles with his winter gear, his hesitation palpable.
“What if—” He dons his boots, reaches for his coat, then pauses, dropping his arms to his sides. “What if she wants to be alone though?”
I stare at him, exasperated. Juniper is out there, in the snow, and we have to find her. She could be in trouble.
“Ethan, she could be upset! We don’t even know when she left.” I hand him his coat. “If we find her and she tells us she’s fine, then we’ll leave her be, okay?”
He sighs, accepting the coat and putting it on. “But—”
“Ethan. I know we talked things out this morning, and we feel better about everything, but god knows how she feels,” I say, my voice thick with worry.
He nods, zipping up his coat. “You’re right.”
I open the door, but as I go to step outside, Ethan puts a hand on my shoulder. “What?” I ask impatiently.
“Just—” He grabs his scarf from the hook on the wall and wraps it around my neck, tucking the ends into my jacket.
“Oi.” I bat him away as he reaches for my boobs.
“Sorry!” He laughs. “Just making sure you’re warm.”
I glare at him but can’t help smiling. “Now is not the time to mess around, mister.”
“Fine. Fine.” He shuts the door behind us. “Let’s go get our girl.”
The steps are clogged with boot prints, but the ones by the car are almost covered now with the fresh snow.
