Page 13 of The Ex-cavenger Hunt

“Ooh, database,” she says a little mockingly. “You make it sound so . . . official.”

“When do you want to start the road trip?” I ask, disregarding her comment.

Lily’s response is immediate and confident. “We could do another planning session tomorrow and leave the day after,” she answers.

“Tomorrow?” I repeat, a hint of surprise in my voice. I have so much work to do. “Are you sure about that? We could?—”

“There’s no better day than the present,” she interrupts me. “Unless, this is too much for you.”

Oh, the challenge in her voice hits its mark and I just can’t let it go.

“You want to leave tomorrow night, it’s a deal.” I stand up, offering her my hand.“Pack your things, come for our next meeting, and we’ll leave from here.”

She takes my hand without hesitation, her grip firm and warm. “Absolutely,” she says. As I pull her up, I can’t help but notice how perfectly her hand fits in mine, our fingers entwine and everything clicks into place, as if our hands have known each other from another lifetime.

“It’s a date,” I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them. I hold my breath, wondering if she’ll catch the double meaning behind my statement. Part of me hopes she does, while another part fears I’ve overstepped.

“See you tomorrow, Ethan Montgomery.”

“Until then, Lily Harper,” I reply, reluctantly letting go of her hand. As she walks away, I find myself already counting down the hours until I can see her again.

Chapter Eight

Lily

Zoe insists I’ve lost all my marbles, but at least she’s okay that I’m going with Ethan. We might not like Dominique, but his brother seems like a great person.

When I called Mom to find out if she knew more about the Montgomery family, she said that she only knew a few things. She confirmed that Ethan was a retired something—her words. “He was definitely serving or is it called served?” she continued. I adore my mother but sometimes she just listens but doesn’t retain any information. I didn’t correct her because what’s the point when she would be stirring the conversation back to my sister’s wedding.

She did say that Ethan is some sort of tech mogul who used his training and skills to create his company. After that we went back to the horrible dresses Cleo picked for the flower girls. They want me to join them next time they go to the seamstress so they can fit my dress.

Which is why it’s best if I leave my comfortable place ASAP. Once I’m on the road, my family won’t be able to stop me. At least, that’s what I hope. I pack the essentials in my carry-on bag and stuff my electronics in my backpack along with my passport—in case we have to go to another country. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

I may be taking this road trip a little out of proportion. Once I’m ready, I head toward Ethan’s office, my palms sweating and my stomach doing somersaults. The moment I step onto the fourth floor of the building, the coolness of the room gives me goose bumps, or maybe it’s the nerves.

The place is like something out of a futuristic movie—all sharp edges and clean lines. Modern artwork hangs on the walls in bold strokes of color that somehow don’t clash with the starkness of the room. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach. Get a grip, I tell myself, smoothing my hands over my fitted blazer.

As I approach the receptionist’s desk, a woman with sleek blonde hair and piercing blue eyes looks up at me, her red lips curving into a polite smile. “Good morning, Miss Harper. Mr. Montgomery is expecting you in the conference room. Right this way.” She rises gracefully from her seat, leading me down a long hallway.

I’m a little baffled at the fact that she knows who I am, but all the same I follow her, my sneakers squeaking against the polished marble floor. She stops in front of a frosted glass door and opens it, gesturing for me to enter. “Mr. Montgomery, Miss Harper is here to see you,” she announces.

As I cross the threshold into the conference room, my eyes are immediately drawn to a figure standing against the far wall. Ethan stands about six feet tall, with a posture that balances perfectly between relaxed and assertive. His hair is a rich chestnut brown, falling in soft waves just above his ears, with a few strands invariably brushing against his forehead, giving him a look of effortless charm.

His face carries a natural ruggedness, with a square jawline that softens into a warm smile, revealing dimples that add a boyish appeal to his otherwise masculine features. Ethan’s eyes are a striking shade of green, vibrant and expressive, framed by thick lashes that cast subtle shadows, adding depth and intensity to his gaze.

At the sound of my arrival, he turns, his gaze locking with mine. A slow, devastating smile spreads across his handsome face, making my knees go weak.

“Thank you, Olivia,” he says to the receptionist. “That will be all.” His deep voice sends a hum through my body.

“Good morning, Lily. It’s a pleasure to see you today.” Ethan’s husky voice slices through me, warm and rich like honey. I swivel around, and there he is, all casual charm in a button-down shirt that probably costs more than my rent. His broad shoulders fill out the fabric perfectly, and I can’t help but let my gaze linger on the way his sleeves strain against his muscular arms.

“Hi, Ethan,” I say, tugging at the hem of my sweater, a nervous habit I can’t seem to shake. My heart races as his piercing green eyes meet mine, and I feel a flush creeping up my neck.

“Excited about our planning session?” He flashes that million-dollar smile that could convince me to go skydiving without a parachute. The corners of his eyes crinkle in amusement, and I’m momentarily dazzled by his charming demeanor.

“Definitely,” I lie, hoping he doesn’t notice the tremble in my voice. Excitement is one word for it; impending doom is another. I shift my weight from one foot to the other, trying to appear nonchalant, but my palms are sweating, and my stomach is in knots.

What happened to the so-sure-of-herself woman who left her apartment ready for adventure? Who the fuck knows. I’m starting to think that maybe this isn’t the best idea I’ve had. Doubt begins to creep in, and I bite my lower lip, second-guessing my decision to take this journey with Ethan.

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