Page 7 of Guarding Her Heart
“Probably,” I agree, though part of me wishes we could stay here forever.
He walks me back to my car at the Bean & Bagel, the night air warm and comforting against my flushed skin. When we reach my car, I turn to face him, my heart full but my mind swirling with questions. What happens now? Where do we go from here?
But as Ethan leans down to press a gentle kiss to my lips, all my worries fade away.
“Can I call you tomorrow?” he asks, his voice warm and reassuring.
“I’ll be waiting,” I say, my smile widening.
He gives my hand one last squeeze before letting go, as he helps me into my car and then watches me drive away. I watch him disappear in my rearview mirror, my heart feeling lighter than it has in a long time.
My drive home is quick and as I step inside my apartment, I can’t help but feel that this is just the beginning of something special—something worth taking a chance on. As I drift off to sleep, I know that no matter what happens next, I’m ready to embrace whatever life sends my way.
I just wasn’t ready for what Richard had planned.
Chapter 3
Ethan
The morning sun cuts through the blinds of my bedroom, dragging me from a restful sleep. I lie there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, letting the events of the previous night replay in my mind. My conversation with Jenny had been a bright spot, a rare moment of lightness I hadn’t felt in a long time.
I push myself out of bed, the cold hardwood floor sending a shock through my body. Today’s a big day—checking out the potential location for Hooplas with the guys.
After a quick shower, I pull on a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt, running a hand through my still-damp hair. I grab my phone from the nightstand, scrolling through the messages from the guys, confirming the time and place to meet. But it’s Jenny’s name that catches my eye, the memory of our easy banter and our amazing kiss making me smile.
Ethan: Morning, Jenny. Hope you slept well. I’m off to check out that location today—wish me luck. Hope you have a great day at school.
I hesitate for a moment before hitting send. I don’t want to come on too strong, but after last night, I can’t stop thinking about her. I want to see where this goes, even if the idea of letting someone in again is terrifying.
As I’m pulling on my boots, my phone buzzes with her reply.
Jenny: Morning, Ethan! Good luck! I have a good feeling about it. Maybe we can celebrate later? ??
The smile that spreads across my face is almost involuntary. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this kind of excitement—like something good might actually happen.
Ethan: I’d like that. I’ll let you know how it goes.
With a renewed sense of energy, I head out the door, grabbing my keys on the way. The drive to the potential location for Hooplas is quick, the familiar streets of Hibiscus Harbor with its manicured trees and bushes along the roadway brightening up my mood even more. I pull up to the spot where I’m meeting the guys, the early morning light casting a golden glow in the sky.
Declan, Hudson, Jax, Kane, and Reid are already there, leaning against the hood of Declan’s truck. They’re deep in conversation, but they all look up when I arrive.
“About time you showed up,” Declan calls out, a grin on his face. He and his partner at the police station, Jax, are in their uniforms, gun belts and all. They must be getting ready to go on shift after our meeting.
“Fuck off,” I reply, shutting my truck door behind me and walking over to join them.
“Guess you had a good night, huh?” Hudson teases, waggling his eyebrows. “You seemed pretty cozy with that girl at the restaurant the other night. Did you see her last night, too?” He and Kane are firefighters and must be off today since they’re dressed like me, jeans and a tee shirt. I can never keep their schedules straight. Reid’s even worse, working as an emergency room doctor. It’s rare when he’s off of work.
“Jenny,” I correct him, a little sharper than intended. “And yeah, I saw her last night and it was good.”
They exchange knowing looks, and I can feel the heat rising in my neck. It’s one thing to have a light-hearted conversation with Jenny, but it’s another thing entirely to be the subject of their relentless teasing.
“Alright, alright,” Kane cuts in, clapping me on the shoulder. “Leave lover boy alone. Let’s focus on the task at hand. We’ve got a bar to open.”
“Thank you,” I mutter, grateful for the reprieve.
We walk down to the site, and realize the location is perfect—right next to an open lot, with plenty of space for parking, events, and anything else we can come up with. I can already picture what Hooplas will look like, the bar lined with people, the laughter and music spilling out onto the outdoor patio. This is going to be fantastic.
“What do you think?” Reid asks, his usual stoic expression giving nothing away.
