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“I know.”
With an awkward smile, I started up the car while taking my first bite. “Mmm, so good.”
Ethan’s eyes burned into the side of my face as I licked my lips.
“What?” I asked, turning to his dilated pupils.
Ethan shook his head with a chuckle. “You have no fucking idea.”
“About what?” I glared back at the chocolate wrapper mangled in my hand. “Is it out of date?”
Laughter filled the car. “No,” Ethan muttered finally. “Just drive, Daisy.”
With a growl, I threw the remaining piece into my mouth. “Well, I’m eating it anyway.”
“Please do,” he said as he picked up his sketchbook. “I’ll turn up the radio when you’ve finished.”
* * *
Half an hour later, we arrived at the cabin. Although I hadn’t been there in years, I was surprised to see how rundown it was. “When was Flynn here last?”
“About a year ago, after he found out about Susan and Rick.”
My heart ached for my brother. His best friend and wife’s affair ruined him. “So, everything is broken inside.”
“Probably.”
After we gathered our bags from the trunk, Ethan led us to the front door, unlocked it, and pushed it open. “Watch out for raccoons,” he whispered as I stepped inside.
I froze, not from fear of wildlife, but from the crippling memories of my parents. We’d spent so many summers at the lake, but I hadn’t returned since they had passed. It hurt too much.
“You okay?” Ethan asked as he took the bags from my shaky hands and placed them in the kitchen.
“Yeah…”—I cleared my throat—“it’s just been a minute.”
Ethan offered me a sad smile. “It has.”
I walked farther into the dark, cozy log cabin. The same mismatched lounge chairs still surrounded the fireplace while the tiny kitchen saw no modern upgrades. “I can’t believe she’s taking this place from him.” I smacked the cushion on the couch, and a puff of dust filled the air. “He deserves so much better—if he ever trusts anyone again.”
“It’s going to take some time to get over that betrayal.”
“Vance sleeping with his assistant doesn’t seem so bad now. At least he didn’t take anything from me.”
“Yeah, he did.”
My gaze met Ethan’s, and my heart stopped. “Yeah, I guess he did.”
Ethan paused momentarily before dipping his shaking head with a laugh. “The Harrises and their poor choices.”
“At least we’re trying to find someone,” I muttered as I proceeded to open all the curtains.
“Maybe you should stop trying and let it come naturally.”
As streams of light filled the small space, I turned to Ethan. “But then I’d be waiting forever.”
Ethan looked away, rubbing his taut, stubbled jaw. “I better turn on the generator and chop some wood before the storm comes.”
“And I’ll start cleaning up,” I said, piling the freshly washed sheets I’d prepared into my arms. “This place smells like old man.”
