Page 94 of Baited

Riley closed her eyes and snorted. “You need to get out more.” She moved her sister’s hair over her shoulder. “Howabout this, you find the guy and Ethan will make sure he’s not a creep?”

The corner of Bailey’s mouth tucked in. “Like I said, I’ll be single forever.” She shrugged and moved out of Riley’s embrace. “Drive safe and text me when you get to Boston.”

Riley scooped Cruz into her arms and gave him a big hug. He gave Ethan a high-five and Bailey and Cruz got into their car. They’d already said good-bye to her mom, with the promise of calling her on the road.

Ethan whistled and Murphy bounded to them and hopped in the cab of the truck as if he’d done it a million times in the last two days.

She climbed into the front seat and rested her head back. Exhaustion seeped over her and she closed her eyes. Ethan’s knuckles brushed over her cheek. “I love you, Rye.”

She opened her eyes and turned to face him. She tilted her head to rest her cheek into his palm. Her heart beat a steady, soft rhythm. In nearly losing her best friend, she’d found the love of her life.

“I love you, too.”

Ethan’s hand closed over her fingers, he brought her knuckles to his mouth, and brushed his lips over them.

“Rest your eyes, babe. We’ll be home in a bit.”

She smiled. Her eyes closed as they drove back to Beaufort for their last night. Tomorrow, the first day of the rest of their lives would begin. But no matter where they ended up, she was already home.

EPILOGUE

Ethan dropped hisgym bag on the floor and closed the front door behind him. The heavy scent of fresh paint still hung in the air, but the work was done. It had been almost three months since they’d moved back to Seattle and bought a house.

He slipped his shoes off as Murphy came tearing down the hallway. Ethan cringed at the scratching of his thick nails on their brand-new hardwood floors. Murphy jumped up on Ethan’s legs, and Ethan bent and scratched his ears. Satisfied, Murphy turned and ran back toward the living room to find his toy duck.

Ethan leaned forward, opened the zipper inside his bag, and tucked a small box in the pouch of his sweater. Trepidation dampened his already sweat-soaked neck. “Riley?”

“In here,” she called from the living room. His hands tensed at his sides as he turned into the wide-open living area. Riley stood on the cream-colored area rug, her hair hanging in a high ponytail revealing the smooth lines of her profile. Her perfectly shaped ass shifted in tight jeans as she lifted a painting into her hands and held it up to the wall in front of her.

“I picked this up from work today—I couldn’t resist. What do you think?”

He wasn’t an art guy, and he really didn’t care as long as she was happy with it. As he moved behind her, his hands smoothed over her slight hips to rest on her waist.

“I love it, babe.” The vibrant colors brought warmth and brightness to the room. “It’s just what we need in here.”

She turned to look at him over her shoulder. Her eyes sparkled. Damn, she was so happy. He pressed his lips to hers, and a soft moan sounded from her throat. He’d never get to say what he wanted to if he didn’t hurry up. He pulled away, and then took the painting from her hands.

He swallowed. “I need to—”

“Did Cal call you? I can’t wait to see the baby, I bought her about five outfits on my lunch hour today and—”

“Great. I can’t wait.” He rubbed the back of his neck and his stomach coiled into knots. As much as he wanted to meet Lucy, he couldn’t think about that right now.

After he got this over with, they could go to the hospital. He hadn’t known this morning when he’d picked up the ring that Lana would be having the baby today. But he sure as hell couldn’t hold off now.

Riley’s brow etched with concern. “Are you okay? You look a little pale.”

No, he wasn’t okay. His stomach pitched and nausea bubbled up his throat. Of all the things he’d done in his life, none had compared to this moment—and he was scared shitless.

“Ethan you’re scaring me.” Her breath came out in low rasps.

He pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to her neck. “Don’t be. Everything’s fine. I just…need to talk to you about something.”

She pulled out of his hold and slammed her palms against his chest, keeping him at bay. His fingers dug in the pocket at his waist and he held the tiny box in his hands between them.

“Ethan, you’d better tell me what’s going on with you right now. I swear to god—”

He dropped to his knee, bringing his face level with her chest, and cracked open the box. Fear bit at his insides and his chest constricted with the effort it took to breathe.

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