oice-low and tired. "Wat

ter, he lef

d her with his jacket and leaned into the sofa, she had felt. c

aid their goodbyes, leavin

her eyes. "T

I mean. Mrs. Griffin. Ethan just

softly. "You ca

you s

all her. Ethan's always busy. I

ntil your friend gets here. Otherwise,

woken from sleep by the call. She didn't ask many questions-she knew Sophia hated troublin

guessed-it had

much to drink. She kicked open the door with one sh

rp look. "You're Et

es replied

than?" she

ered, clearly uns

Lily's glare was so fierce it made

weakly. "Lily. take me

ia and helped her down the stairs. "If you can't hold your liquor, stop drinking so

, Ethan's car pulled

ife's gone," J

ded. He knew Lil

?" James asked as they

ea

understanding wife might

phia. She didn't an

od care of Sophia tonight. No need to worry. W

she h

, he drove home alone to a house

o be asleep," Lily grumbled. "You sh

inning someone that wa

ing her phone, willing it to ring.

e pick

get you," Eth

he needed space. But what c

t accidentally bumped her arm against the frame, letting out

lt a twinge of concern-but then she remembered: maybe he was just "tired" from taking care of Chloe last ni

trying to touch her cheek, but she turned away from his hand. His fingers froze midair f

't slee

Alone? Was that his way of explaining himself-tel

stare. This time, he didn't ask for permission-he reached out and pulled her head gently agai

-let's g

ped inside, the warm, familiar scent of food fille

She turned to glance at Ethan, who w

han said with a refined smile. "She said somet

e couch watching TV. For a while, she allowed herself to forget th

ruise forming. It must've been from when she bumped it that morning. She grabbed some ic

y, she heard his voice through

l? I'm o

ed the

t was too late-Ethan opened the door,

ll smile. "Who's

seconds before answering, "Ju

ack and kissed her lightly on th

ed after him. "Do

smile, then turned and walked o

rn until well

ttress shift as he got into bed. A few seconds later, his arm slipped

ly, pretending to be fast asleep