Page 11 of One Touch

“Are you hurt?”

I hadn’t even considered I could be hurt. I ran my hands up and down my body, squeezing every bit of myself. “I don’t think so. I think I’m okay. In one piece.”

He swallowed. “You’ve, uh, got some dust on you.”

“Oh.”

“Got some bad news. I don’t think that dress is gonna be much good after this.”

A huge snort of laughter escaped my mouth. I covered my lips with a duty hand, trying to keep it in, but I couldn’t help myself. I laughed louder and louder, until I was laughing so hard my ribs hurt.

“I don’t give a crap about the dress,” I said, doubled over. “I hate this fucking thing!”

“O . . . kay?

“I think I’m in shock, Ethan,” I said, my voice sounding hysterical. “I’ve destroyed your shop. I’ve destroyed my car. I’vedestroyed my wedding. All in one day. This tasteless, revolting dress is the least of my worries.”

“You destroyed your wedding?”

“Absolutely totaled it. Exploded the motherfucker.”

Ethan led me over to a nearby chair, helping me sit down before grabbing a clean rag and a bottle of water. He gently wiped the dust and grime from my face, his calloused hands surprisingly gentle against my skin. I had just wrecked his shop and destroyed a car, and yet he was treating me with such kindness.

“Hey, what’s with all the rainbows?” I asked, looking up, wondering if I was in fact just imagining all of this and was having some kind of crazy colorful dream.

“This is Ava’s desk. She plays here when I have to work.”

“Oh. That’s sweet. You’re a very kind dad.”

Ethan shrugged. “I’m a busy one.”

I felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to confide. “Vlad cheated,” I blurted out. “Caught him with a groupie. Right before the ceremony.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “I see.” He paused. “Want me to beat the crap out of him?”

I laughed. “No. Well, yes. A little bit.”

“I would, but it wouldn’t be fair. I’d pulverize him.”

I laughed again. “It’s true. You’d snap him like a twig.” I took a long, deep, shaky breath. “So,” I said. “Do you want to buy my scrunched-up clown car or not?”

“Well, I might have done. But it’s not exactly in mint condition anymore.”

I nodded, feeling the tears begin to flow again. “Is that car I destroyed expensive?”

Ethan grimaced. “Don’t worry about that right now. You’ve had an emotional day. Plus, we both have insurance, so—”

“I’m not insured on Vlad’s car.”

He paled slightly. “Anyway, let’s not worry about the cars, and the damage, and whether or not either of them is priceless—was priceless—right now.”

“Priceless?” My voice was strangled.

“Did I say priceless?” He scratched his head, running his fingers through his black hair.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “I just crashed into your garage.”

Ethan shrugged. “It’s probably got something to do with the fact you just crashed into my garage.”

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