Page 90 of One Touch

“I want everything to be fixed,” Ava huffed.

“Fixed?”

“Lily fixed my reading. But I want her to fix everything. To fix you. To fix the fact Mom died. If she was my new mom, it would fix everything.”

I saw the concern on Ethan’s face. “Baby,” he said. “Not everything can be fixed.”

“Why?” She kicked a stone off the porch step.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s just the way it is.” And then, to my surprise, he kneeled down next to us and hugged us both, wrapping his strong arms around us.

We sat like that, together, gently rocking back and forth until Ava’s sobs quieted. When she finally pulled away, Ethan and I led her back into the house, where Lexi and Rhea were waiting to draw her into a game.

I watched them for a moment, smiling at their giggles and chatter. Then a warm hand settled on the small of my back, and I turned to find Ethan watching me, his blue eyes soft and serious.

“Can we talk for a second?” he murmured, inclining his head toward the empty kitchen.

I nodded, my pulse picking up speed as I followed him out of the room. The moment we were alone, he turned to face me, his expression unreadable.

“I’m sorry you’re mixed up in this,” he said. “Ava’s never really got over losing her mom.”

“How are you meant to get over something like that?”

“Wish I knew. I want you to know that I’m grateful,” he said quietly. “You are such a positive influence on Ava. She’s talking about feelings that she’s kept inside for a long time. Even though it’s confusing for her, I’m hopeful it will be good for her in the end.”

“Me too.”

He hesitated, then reached out to take my hand, his fingers lacing through mine. “I’ve been desperate to talk to you about last night, to apologize . . .”

“Don’t,” I interrupted, shaking my head. “Please don’t say you’re sorry. It wasn’t a mistake, Ethan. I don’t regret it for a second.”

He exhaled sharply, his eyes searching mine. “You don’t? I thought . . . I was afraid you’d want to end things. Because we broke the rules.”

“No.” I shrugged. “It’s not like we’re in love, is it?”

“No.” He paused. “Of course not.”

“Exactly. That would be ridiculous.”

“So, we just . . . keep going?”

“Right. But no more rule-breaking.”

He nodded. “I don’t want Ava to get hurt.”

“If you want to stop any time,” I said, “then we stop. Okay?”

I looked up at him, thinking how nice it was that I was wearing small heels and I could still lookupat him.

His eyes darkened, his grip on my hand tightening. “Lily,” he breathed, glancing down at my chest. “It’s very naughty to show up wearing a dress like that and then talk about leaving town. I hope you know that.”

I bit my lip. “Glad you like the dress.”

“I like the dress. In fact,” he said, his voice suddenly ragged with emotion, “I. . . .” He leaned in toward me, his eyes darting down to my mouth.

But before he could say or do anything else, childish laughter rang out from the next room, and we sprang apart like guilty teenagers.

I felt a blush stain my cheeks, but I couldn’t stop the silly grin from spreading across my face, either.

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