Page 62 of Awakening

“And you told Ethan that?”

“Yes, but then when he accused me of sleeping with him, I may have made things worse by telling Ethan I could have slept with him if I’d wanted.”

“Oh, Liv.”

“I know. I was just so pissed off, Chloe.”

“I realize that, but you have to remember that while this feels new to you, Ethan is feeling something very different. He’s a man who’s relieved to have his m—fiancée…back,” she says with a strange hesitation, as if she stopped herself from saying something else, “and before you disappeared, there was absolutely nothing the two of you didn’t share and experience together. Hearing his fiancée, who he loves, was even almost kissed by another man had to be really painful. Ethan’s life has been turned upside down by all this too.”

I sigh as the ache settles in my chest. “You’re right.”

“I’m sure he’ll be calmer when he comes home. Did he go for a run?”

“Yeah. How did you know?”

“Oh…he and Nick are both just the same that way,” she says. “Everything is going to be okay.”

“I hope so. He’s been so freaking alpha. Is he like this all the time?”

Chloe giggles before speaking. “Actually, he’s got a pretty alpha personality, but you love him for exactly who he is.”

“There’s something else. Anthony also told me he still loves me.”

“Whoa, that’s big. Did you tell Ethan?”

“I did. I honestly think that’s what sent him over the edge. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“No, I think you did the right thing. You shouldn’t have secrets between you.” Chloe pauses and then says, “I have to ask, Liv, do you have feelings for Anthony?”

“No…I mean, not in the typical romantic sense anymore. It’s complicated, Chloe.”

“Liv, it’s okay. You know I’m not going to judge you, and whatever you say stays between the two of us.”

With a sigh, I say, “I woke up in that hospital feeling like we only just broke up. Of course, there were still feelings there, but I also know that Ethan and I were in love. I respect that I was committed to Ethan, and I haven’t crossed any lines. I’m here with Ethan, and I really do want to try to get my memories back. So, no…I don’t love Anthony, but I’m grateful to him, and I just can’t help but feel bad for him. He’s been so good to me, and he was just being honest. I kind of left him there after he laid his heart out to me.”

“Anthony is a big boy, Liv. He had to know there was a risk that you might not feel the same. He’ll be okay. Ethan is your fiancé, and he wants his life back with you. Trust me when I tell you that the two of you were very happy together. You have something worth fighting for.”

I hear the door open and I turn to see Ethan walking in from the garage. “He’s home. I guess I should go.”

“Okay. Stay calm and talk to him. Just remember he loves you and this is hard for him too.”

“Thanks, Chloe. I’ll talk to you later.”

“No problem. Bye, Liv.”

Ending the call and taking a deep breath, I turn to find Ethan chugging down a bottle of water. He’s shirtless, and this is the first time I’ve had an opportunity to really take in his physique. The man is ripped. I don’t know whether to stare at his powerful biceps, his expansive chest, or his drool worthy abs. He’s a masculine work of art.

“This is all yours if you want it, Liv. All you have to do is make your move.” His words break me out of my trance, and I feel my cheeks flushing. He grins and moves closer, apparently sensing my embarrassment.

“Do you feel better now?” I ask.

“A little.”

“Ethan, I’m sorry for what I said before you left. I never would have slept with Anthony.”

“I know, and I’m sorry for how I spoke to you. It just fucking hurts, Liv. You know? You’re mine, and you don’t remember me. Barely more than a week ago, you and I were together in every fucking way.” Pointing upstairs toward the bedroom, he says, “Whether we were fucking or making love, or just doing nothing but holding each other, we were so fucking in sync. Now you don’t have a clue who I am beyond a few days ago. It hurts like hell. I know it’s not your fault, and you can’t help it, but it pisses me off.”

He tosses his water bottle on the counter and before I know what’s happening he crouches down, grabs my waist, and throws me over his shoulder. I gasp and shriek as I suddenly have a closeup view of his muscular back as he heads for the stairs.

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