Page 94 of Writing On The Wall

Ross breathes heavily, his brows forming a sharpVas he stares at me.

Ember’s eyes ping-pong between us. “I don’t know what the heck is going on right now,” she says, breaking the silence. “But can we get back to the part about the possible bad guys? Like, what kinda bad guys are we talking here? Run ‘o the mill, low IQ? Kevlar vest-wearing with bald heads? ‘Cause I’m thinking that information could be useful right now.”

“I haven’t seen them,” he grunts, walking laps around the coffee table. He stops and throws his head back, growling out before swinging his head to me. “Please, just tell me if you have it?”

“Ross—” I pause when my phone starts ringing.

Frik.It’s Ethan. And despite the way I’ve been trying to put space between us until I can figure things out in my head, just seeing his name on the screen makes me wish he were here so I could run into the safety and security of his arms.

Make up your mind, Ivy. Either chase that hunk of a man away or stop letting fear tell you what to do,I scold myself as my eyes flicker back to my phone. Answering at least buys me time while I dodge Ross’s question.

“Hey,” I say into the phone, bugging my eyes out at Ember and hoping she’ll get the hint and keep her mouth shut about our little situation.

“Ivy June,” Ethan drawls, and I can hear the smile in his voice. “How’s your thinking time going? You missin’ me yet?”

“It’s fine. Yup, I sure am.”

Gah! How am I supposed to let this man go? Just hearing his voice has me questioning if I’m doing the right thing, because all I want to do now is snuggle him like a baby koala.

Ross stares at me, making a ‘wind it up’ signal with his hand. I roll my eyes in response, turning my back to him. Ember steps closer to me, utterly unashamed in her attempts to eavesdrop.

“Is thatEthan?” she mouths.

“You get today, and that’s it, Ivy. Then I’m smothering you in hugs and kisses, kay?”

“Noted,” I say, laughing while my heart breaks a little more. I don’t think I can let him go. Ending things because I’m afraid of being hurt won’t save me from anything. It’ll just hurt either way, right?

I bring the phone away from my ear, covering the speaker, although I’m not entirely sure where that is on an iPhone, if I’m being honest. “I’ll explain later,” I whisper harshly to Ember.

“I’m on my way to the airport,” Ethan continues. “I got a call from the network because the meeting they scheduled fornext week got bumped up to tomorrow. Otherwise, they’ll have to push it out a month. You gonna be okay today?”

“Mh-mm. All good.”

“Ivy June. What’s going on?”

“She’s not okay!” Ember shouts from beside me, making me jump. “Ross told some bad people where she lives! And they might be on their way!”

I shoot her a death glare while Ethan fires a million overprotective questions my way. Ross growls and starts tapping his wrist, whispering, “We need to leave!”

“I’m sorry, Ethan, I’ve gotta go. Ember’s just exaggerating. Talk to you later, kay? Good luck at your meeting. Love you, bye!” I hang up and toss the phone onto the couch, and my hands fly up to cover my mouth. Ember’s gaze snaps to me, her eyes wide with shock at the declaration that just slipped out of my mouth.

Dang it!I’m supposed to be putting space between us, not professing my feelings! This can’t be good, my subconscious has managed to overpower my extremely stubborn will. But maybe my subconscious knows what’s best? I don’t feel like I want to take the words back, so that’s a good sign, right?

Oh, what the hell. My life is already so insane that I might as well lay my heart on the chopping block while I’m at it.

“I just told him I love him.”

And I do.I love Ethan King.

Ember begins to laugh, her shoulders shaking as she speaks. “You just toldEthanyou love him! Oooh, you havesomuch explaining to do!”

My phone starts buzzing again but I ignore it.

I’m saved from responding when a rustling outside the window has all three of us freezing, our eyes darting to one another as we wait, questions hanging heavily in the air.

“What the heck was that?” Ember wimpers.

Eliza Doolittle’s hat!This isn’t good.

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