Page 53 of Seal of Approval

I stood and started pacing. “I don’t know what I’m feeling. I mean I like him. Anyone would like him. He’s nice.” I stopped and shook my hands. No, staying still was no good. “Maybe it’s because we live together and work together. Being so close is mixing things up.” I paused. Even my thoughts weren’t making sense. “And then he pulls this protector thing. And he makes me feel protected. But maybe it’s just because I’m scared. And his knight in shining armour act got me when I was at my most vulnerable.” I sat back in the chair. “But what’s even the point of having feelings when he’s only here for six months?” I looked at Lily, imploring her to understand. “And the kids. God, the kids adore him. I think they do. Oh shit, I don’t know.”

Lily gave me a smile. “That’s a lot to digest.”

I ran my hand over my face, touched the place he’d lain his palm. “And I think I want him to kiss me.”

I didn’t think I wanted him to. I knew I wanted him to. Fuck.

“Maybe you should let him.”

“What?”

“You should let him kiss you.”

“Who even says he wants to?”

Lily turned her full body to me. “Even blind Freddy can see the man wants to kiss you.”

“And then what?”

Lily let out a quiet laugh. “You have two children; I don’t think I need to tell you then what.”

“Lily.”

“OK. OK. You and Ethan were getting closer before Max showed up. Even after he got his boat licence, you would go out with him to do his research.”

“It’s easier and safer with two people.”

She held up her hand. “And this protector thing is not for show. He had nothing to gain that night with Rose and the storm.”

“I didn’t mean it was just for show. I meant... I don’t know what I meant.”

“Stop overthinking everything. What will be will be.” She shrugged. “Jack proposed to me the day we met. I could have over analysed it. Instead, I said yes.”

“Not everyone is you and Jack.”

“Not everyone is you and Ethan.”

“Are you two OK back there?” Jack called out.

“Just talking about Sex on Legs,” Lily replied.

“They mean you,” Jack said, quieter this time.

Ethan was here?

I nearly fell off my seat. Lily laughed so hard she was crying.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Ethan

I looked at Jack with wide eyes. “They’re talking about what?”

“Sex on Legs, you.”

My brow furrowed. Jack chuckled and grabbed his phone. He typed something in and turned the phone to me. Pictures and pictures of me stared back at me. He clicked on one of the photos to make it larger. I was standing there in a wetsuit that was pulled down to my hips.

“Sex on Legs,” Jack said.

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