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I’m only here for one more month. I should do my best to ensure we’re friends. We have to get along, for Matthew’s sake. Ethan is trying very hard to mend things between us.
That’s the only reason I don’t move his arm from around me. Friends do that type of thing all the time, I tell myself.
“I’m delighted you agreed to come out with me tonight,” he says softly against my hair.
His sexy voice, so close to me, makes me shiver involuntarily. He’s too close, way too close.
I don’t want to ruin the evening, but I have to say it. “Ethan . . . I need to ask. Are you trying to get me to change my mind about leaving? Is that what tonight is about?”
“Hmm?” he asks.
“Did you bring me out here just to convince me to stay?”
“Liz, I thought you knew me better than that.”
“I think I know you pretty well. I know you like to get your way,” I accuse.
He reaches up and touches my cheek, encouraging me to turn my face toward him. “I want what’s best for you. If leaving is what’s best for you, I will help you with anything you need. All I want is for you to be happy.”
“Thank you. I’m glad to hear you feel that way. I won’t change my mind about leaving.”
Ethan rubs the rough pad of his finger along my cheek. “I regret how things have been between us. I don’t want you to leave Manhattan feeling you can’t trust me. Can we spend the next few weeks getting to know each other better? We should have a solid friendship if we are going to be separated by such a distance. I want to be a part of Matthew’s life.”
“That’s reasonable. I agree. If we are to co-parent successfully, we have to be able to get along. I want you to be in his life, too. I’m not trying to keep him from you.”
He tugs me against his side. “That’s all I’m asking for right now. So, let’s just relax and enjoy the evening, the stunning sunset, and each other’s company.”
Chapter 21
Ethan
I pull my cell phone out of my pocket and check the time. Liz should be here any minute. We have reservations tonight at a place I’m hoping she’ll enjoy. I had to leave directly from work, so she’s meeting me at the restaurant.
The last week has gone perfectly. Liz and I spent a lot of time together, and I’ve been nothing but a perfect gentleman. Maybe I’ve hugged her a little too tightly, maybe I’ve put my arm around her a little too frequently, maybe I’ve come a little too close to kissing her a couple of times. But I never crossed that line between friendship and something more.
I’ve seen the subtle way she looks at me. She thinks I don’t notice, but I notice everything she does.
Every damn thing.
Like the way she inhales quickly when I get close. Like the goosebumps that pop up on her skin whenever Itouch her.
My intention was to make her see that she loves me. Instead, I’m falling more and more for her. Each day we spend together makes me yearn for her even more. It’s getting harder to hide it when I just want to touch her, kiss her. I have to play it cool and pretend we are just friends. If she believes I’m trying for more, she’ll retreat. I know her too well.
Time is ticking by way too quickly. Each day that passes gets Liz a day closer to leaving. My plans are in full swing. I’ve taken her out each day. Sometimes, it’s a helicopter ride with a sunset cruise on my yacht, and sometimes it’s just dinner and dancing. We’ve gone on walks in the park, visited all the romantic touristy spots, and gone to some of her favorite restaurants.
I’m showing her what she’ll be missing if she leaves.
Soon, she’ll realize there’s no way I’m allowing her to leave me. I care about her and don’t want to lose her. I will do everything possible to pull out all the stops to make her realize she feels the same way.
If she didn’t care for me, she wouldn’t be spending this time with me. Deep inside, she has to know it’s complete bullshit, the excuse I made up about needing to get closer to her for Matthew’s sake. I’m pretty sure it’s possible to co-parent without going on romantic sunset cruises together. She’s willing to play alongbecause she cares for me. She wants to be with me. I know she’s going to see how good we are together.
Tonight’s the night. I’m going to step it up a bit. Now that she’s comfortable with our friendship, I need to begin my slow move out of the friend zone.
I recheck the time just as the car pulls up. I can see Liz wave at me through the tinted glass of the back seat.
The driver opens her door, and my mouth almost pops open as I see her long, slim legs exit the car. I swear, every time I see her, I getbutterflies. I never get tired of her beauty. The short, fitted black dress molds perfectly to her every curve. The rhinestones that adorn her dress twinkle as the sunlight hits them.
I meet her at the car. She takes my arm, her hand fitting perfectly into the crook of my elbow as we head to the restaurant.
