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When Ethan didn’t argue, she tucked a loose clump of hair behind her ear with a hand that shook. “N-no. We’re just friends. That’s all we’ve ever been.”
“That’s why you live with him.”
“I told you, I just needed a place to stay. It wasn’t planned. He understands. He gets what we’re about.” She grabbed Ethan’s arm to twist her to face them, but he planted his feet and kept his gaze trained resolutely in the other direction. “You do. I know you do. You’ve had all those women over, and you never stayed with any one of them more than a few weeks at a time—”
“Why do you think that might b
e, Lo?” The sarcastic way he used West’s nickname for her was her undoing.
She gripped her elbows and stumbled back, right into the hard chest that wouldn’t let her fall.
West answered for her, since apparently she’d lost her voice. “She didn’t want to go back with you. She was afraid. I didn’t know what the situation was, but I wasn’t going to let her get hurt.”
“No. God, no, that’s not right either. Ethan would never hurt me.” She reached up and yanked at her hair, so frustrated that everything had gone so awry that she didn’t know what else to do. Pins scattered over the asphalt. “Until right now.”
“How am I hurting you? Because I came here to see if you were all right? To take you home where you belong?”
“You’re saying things that don’t make sense. None of this makes sense.” Actually, he hadn’t said much. He hadn’t had to. The expression he wore combined with West’s insinuations had caused a fetid brew to start bubbling in her belly.
“I gave you time,” Ethan said evenly. “I made sure I didn’t push. I was the friend you leaned on for everything.”
“You were. You are.” She stepped forward and this time, West didn’t rush to stand behind her. Just as well, she needed to do this on her own two feet.
Whatever this was.
Whatever it all meant.
“You’re right. Which is why if you come with me now, we won’t have to discuss this again. It’ll be as if this night never happened.” He met her gaze, focusing so tightly on her face that she was practically sure he couldn’t see West anymore. It was as if he’d erased his very presence. “We’ll forget all of it and go back to the way things were. Before.”
“I don’t want to erase it. This was the best night of my life. Can’t you see that? I’ve always been so sheltered, and I never got to have the experiences you did—”
“You mean sex. Just be straight, Lauren. You got to have sex, and now you’re seeing birds and hearing angels and who gives a fuck about the guy who’s been by your side for all these years, patiently waiting for something that’s obviously not going to happen.”
She swallowed, fighting to get past the boulder in her throat. “I never knew. Never guessed. Why would you—I’m not—”
“You’re everything.” Ethan let out a harsh laugh. “He sees it. He’s just the one who was lucky enough to get his shot.”
“And I’m not going to waste it either.” West stepped forward to cup her shoulders. “Why don’t you stay, Lo? Stay here on the bus for a few more days. I know it’s not much, but we’re heading to San Francisco next and I’m not ready to let you go.”
She didn’t move. Barely breathed. Because even as her heart—and all the rest of her—rejoiced at what West was saying, she was aching for Ethan. For being so callous and oblivious that she just never knew. Ethan was a gorgeous guy. He was ridiculously smart, with an amazing career and a great dry sense of humor. He could’ve had his choice of women—and had, judging from the endless parade of women on his arm.
Yet he’d pined for her? It was completely illogical. The only thing she could figure was that she’d been the one woman he couldn’t get. Now he saw that more than ever.
Because she was with West. And it didn’t really matter if they’d only had that one night and she never saw him again. Some part of her would always be with him. He’d given her so much more than she could explain, and not just an orgasm. He’d made her feel beautiful. Special. Treasured. As if any man would dream to be in her company, just as she was.
She didn’t need a job, or a super clear life path, or hell, even a checking account. She didn’t have to be seductive or assured or even all that nice. She could just be.
Herself.
Ethan stared at the two of them as if he didn’t recognize her anymore. His face had gone completely cold. “You get that she’s using you for extra credit, right? You’re her ace in the hole. Literally.” His grim chuckle made her cheeks burn hot.
“Don’t. You don’t get to talk about her that way. I don’t care if you’re pissed off, she’s a lady and you’re going to treat her in that manner.” West stepped around her, acting as a human shield she so didn’t need. “Got it?”
“She is a lady, and that’s why she doesn’t belong here with someone like you. I know your reputation, Reynolds. You may think I’m as blissfully naive as she is, but I’m not. I’ve heard about you, and she’s not just some chick you can bang and toss aside.”
“You’re absolutely right. Probably why I didn’t bang her, so get your mind out of the filthy gutter.” West stepped back and slid his arm around her shoulders. “Also why I just asked her to stay with me.”
“You asked her to stay for one reason—to win the pissing contest with me. You know what? Not necessary. Lauren, if you want to stay here, that’s your choice. Just know that when he gets tired of you, I won’t be there to pick you up and drive you back to safety.”
