Page 30 of Not So Very Sensible

“Sorry. I’m just not used to compliments like that. Well, like what you said before.”

“That I think you’re pretty?”

She nodded.

“Well, obviously you’re hanging out with the wrong kinds of people.”

She leaned back in her seat, gaze fixed on him. “Apparently.”

“And obviously we’re going to have to do something about that.”

“What do you propose to do?” She winced. “Not that I meant propose like in ‘propose’ propose.” Her nose wrinkled. “Ugh, I just made it worse, right?”

Now it was his turn to laugh. “On the contrary. You’ve just confirmed that we’re actually right.”

“You think so?”

“One hundred percent.”

Her eyes sank into him, their gazes building on this connection that felt like it was growing stronger every second. Like part of his heart had been waiting all his life to find this woman. And while he might not believe in people having “the one” or being their “other half,” he did feel a soul click with this woman, like they ticked every one of each other’s boxes. And he couldn’t let that slip away.

“I really like you,” he murmured.

“I really like you,” she murmured back.

He nodded. Then leaned closer, wondering if it was too soon for this next step. But if he didn’t do it now, he’d always wonder …

“Ellie,” he whispered.

“Ethan,” she murmured back.

He drew closer still, saw her eyes drift closed, angled his face—

“Get a room!”

The shriek killed the mood, snapping his eyelids open to find Ellie had drawn back too, her hands covering her cheeks as a woman—who had obviously imbibed a little too much—stumbled away on the arm of her companion.

“Sorry.”

As Ellie blinked at him, he realised how his words might be misconstrued. Was he sorry for almost kissing her or for not finishing the job? Both might be considered problematic.

She shook her head. “You don’t need to apologise. But maybe we should go. I don’t know where Katie is, and she is someone who probably needs to be a little more careful about what’s she doing.”

Was she saying this because she was concerned about Katie or concerned about him? “Uh, sure.”

She stood, then glanced at him. Well, glanced at his shirt, as her gaze didn’t quite meet his eyes. “You don’t need to come.”

“I want to. Call me overcautious, but I didn’t get the impression that Jason was the kind of man to make wise choices where young ladies are concerned.”

As soon as the word escaped, her eyes widened, and regret kneaded his heart again. It seemed he still had foot-in-mouth syndrome. “Not that I think Katie can’t take care of herself.”

“I know what you mean. And I’m inclined to believe you. Let’s go.”

A few minutes later, they were walking the long corridor known as Cat’s Alley, which was lined with couches similar to those used in earlier years by women waiting for their husbands to finish in the casino. He felt awkward, like Ellie was regretting their near kiss, as she still didn’t meet his eyes.

“Hey.” His heart beat faster as she finally glanced at him. “She’ll be okay.”

“You don’t know that. And I know my sister. She’s always a little prone to doing things her own way.”