Page 49 of Enchanted

“I got some amazing shots yesterday,” Ethan said as I started the engine. “Can’t wait to start editing. That’s what I’m going to do this weekend.”

I clicked my tongue. “Working on a weekend?”

“Not all of us have the luxury of picking and choosing our hours,” Ethan teased, poking me in the ribs.

A vision flashed through my mind. One where I tackled Ethan onto a soft surface and tickled him in revenge until he begged me to stop. Until he begged me to make him moan in other ways.

“Please tell me you have some non-work plans,” I said, my voice not betraying the lust now roaring through me. “Something fun. Anything.”

“Editing is fun,” he said lightly. “I’m going to order Thai food on Saturday night. That’s my little treat.”

I tried to puzzle out what was bothering me so much. “Does your boyfriend work weekends?”

“No, but he’ll be out with his friends. He always is.”

There was a note in his voice that I hadn’t heard before. Ice. My instincts homed in on it. “Do you not go out with him and his friends?”

Ethan turned his face to the window, but even so, there was no missing the tension in him. “They’re his friends, not mine.”

That told me everything I needed to know.

I turned down the driveway towards the house. “I’m sorry, Eth.”

He whipped his head around. “For what?”

I shrugged. “Just seems like he’s not appreciating you. It’s fine to have friendships and hobbies outside of your relationship. Healthy, even. But not if it comes at the expense of your partner’s needs and well-being.”

Ethan blew out a long breath. “You know, I should tell you to keep your bloody nose out of my business. That you don’t know anything about my relationship, and even if you did, it’s got fuck all to do with you.”

“But?”

“But…” He sighed, shaking his head. “But I’m tired, Rami. Sometimes I’m so fucking lonely that I put the TV on just to have some background noise. The conversations we’ve had over the last few days have been the most I’ve spoken to anyone in months. Dave included.”

I had to physically force my body to stay relaxed. I couldn’t let it show how much his words affected me. “You deserve better, Ethan.”

“Some days I agree with you.”

“And on those other days?”

“On others I remind myself that I’m lucky to have what I do.” He spoke so quietly that I would’ve missed it if I had human senses. “That what Dave gives me, what he’s given up for me, I can’t ever repay.”

I was quiet as I pulled into the garage, waiting until I opened the door for Ethan to speak. I wanted to be face-to-face with him. For him to not only hear what I had to say, but to listen. “I don’t know what you’re referring to, but can I give you some advice?”

I hoped he said yes, because I was giving it either way.

One corner of his mouth twisted up in a wry smile, almost as if he knew. “Go for it.”

“Being in a relationship isn’t about keeping score,” I said steadily. “Whatever happened in the past shouldn’t outweigh what’s going on in your present. You deserve happiness, Ethan. Everyone does.”

There was a sheen over his eyes that broke my heart. He cleared his throat, blinking rapidly as his gaze turned downwards. “Thanks, Rami. I think I needed to hear that.”

What he needed was a hug. Or me as his mate. If he was mine, he wouldn’t ever feel loneliness again.

An idea came to me. What if there was a way I could have a permanent place in his life that didn’t involve a bond he wouldn’t want? After all, we could only keep up the photo shoots for so long before Ethan became suspicious.

I gave him a lopsided grin before repeating what he’d said to me the first time we met. “I could always use more friends.”

“You?” Ethan let out a watery chuckle. “Based purely on the number of cars in this garage, I think you’re doing alright.”