Page 52 of Shadowing You

She’d never felt more at home as she had that night. She’d thought nothing could wedge between them.

“…hole up until it’s time to go.”

She had no idea what Michael had said.

Ethan had turned and was watching her, and she felt the intensity of his gaze to her core.

“Did I lose you guys? Are you there?”

“Yeah.” Ethan seemed to force himself to turn to the phone. “We’ll be ready when the car gets here.”

“Great. I’ll be in touch.” The call ended.

Ethan picked up the phone and turned it over in his hands. He seemed to want to say something, but he didn’t. He was still angry with her, and frankly, she wasn’t all that thrilled with him.

“We should pack.”

“Yup.” He pocketed the phone and disappeared down the hall.

He wanted to keep her safe. Of course he did.

But maybe the reminder of their honeymoon had thrown him. Maybe he wanted to keep his distance from her.

Was there something between them? Or perhaps…someone?

He’d held her hands and told her he was proud of her. He had been kind and gentle with her. But he hadn’t kissed her, not unless she counted the light kisses he pressed to her forehead, the kind of kisses one might give a child. He hadn’t even kissed her when she’d worn nothing but his T-shirt and she’d seen that look on his face.

Maybe she’d misunderstood.

He had believed she was dead for six years. Whatever those years had held for him, he hadn’t offered a word of it.

Had he moved on?

The thought seeped in as though through a crack, the way the ugliest thoughts always did.

He would have told her, wouldn’t he, if he’d met someone else?

Except she’d been pathetic when they’d found each other. Hungry and tired, and he’d probably thought she was at death’s door.

Would he have told her?

She would need to ask him. Soon. When she was strong enough to accept his answer.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Ethan watched her from the doorway of the master suite at their hotel in Enshi City, willing his face into something like puzzlement.

She came back into the small sitting area, stopping just inside it. “There are two bedrooms.”

“Yeah.” He scratched the back of his neck. “I noticed.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I guess it’s what Michael could find on short notice.” He shrugged as if it were nothing.

She tilted her head, studying him, and he turned toward the desk before she could read too much. He picked up his phone, needing something to look at other than her.

His cousins had been busy in the Signal chat.