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A couple months after I left, I heard that she was in a new relationship and, last I heard, she’s still with the guy. I hope he makes her happy.
My plan on this visit was, as always, to stay away from her. Give her space.
But this… could be a problem.
“And there’s no alternative?” I ask. Hopefully.
Ray shrugs. “It’s up to you, but the will’s pretty clear on this point. Alfie left you a few things and he requested you do this treasure hunt before you receive them, but we both know he wouldn’t hold you to it if you didn’t want to do it.”
“I’ll do the hunt, but I’m not sure Val will. I’ll have to think about asking her.”
“You do that,” Fran sings. She’s gotten up from the table and is bustling around the kitchen, opening and closing cupboards and throwing items on the counter. “In the meantime, how about some pancakes?”
7
Val
I’m organizing the room keys when the lobby door opens with the first check-in of the day. Ivy steps away to attend to the guest.
“Good afternoon, and welcome to the Brookrose,” she says cheerily. “How may I help you?”
“I’m actually looking for someone.”
The deep, pepper-grinder voice shoots through me like I spent a half-hour rubbing sock feet on carpet and then touched an electric outlet. I whirl around so fast, the keys I’m holding go flying and clatter noisily against the wall.
“You?” I burst out, my voice croaky.
Ethan is standing at the front desk. His brown eyes land on me and he smirks. “No, you.”
I roll my eyes. “Hilarious.”
“I’ve got a Netflix comedy special with my name on it.”
I glare at him and he just smirks back, his eyes sparking mischievously. Growing up, Ethan was a serious and responsible kid, and that private, rare sparkle used to make my heart do flips. Not anymore.
Ivy looks back and forth between us. “You two know each other?”
“Kinda.” I shrug. “This is Ethan Holmes. I know him from… childhood.”
Okay, I know him from a few other things (AKA we used to make out a lot) but there’s no need to go into all that right after spilling my guts about Randal. Can’t have Ivy thinking I’m a complete boy-crazy wreck on my first day. Especially because my mission these days is clear—Valentina Reyes-Murphy is living her best single-lady life.
Beyoncé herself has basically blessed this.
“What are you doing here?” I ask Ethan.
He opens his mouth, looks like he’s going to say something, but then his gaze drops down my body. His brow puckers in a frown. “Weren’t you wearing pants earlier?”
“Yeah.” I don’t offer further explanation.
Ethan opens his mouth and I can see the question forming on his lips—“Why…?” But at the last moment, he changes his mind. “I need to talk to you.”
Ivy tactfully excuses herself and goes to the back office. I give her an apologetic shrug and she waves it off with a smile. Meanwhile, Ethan runs his fingers through his hair where it’s hanging low over his eyes, rubs the scruff along his jawline.
I hate how handsome he is. It’s really not fair. There should be rules about how attractive you can be when you see an ex.
“Look, this is kinda awkward…” Ethan starts, rubbing his jaw again.
“I’ll say,” I mutter under my breath.
