Page 44 of Unless It's You
“You saved me.”
“I think that bloke plays rugby for England.”
I laugh, expecting Ethan to remove his arm, but he doesn’t. I fit exactly right against him. But when we stop at a traffic light, he drops it from my body.
“Izzy’s document also has zero numbers in it.”
The walking signal turns green, and we join the pedestrians pouring across the road. Ethan puts his hand on the small of my back, as if he’s escorting me into a formal event. We’re less than a block from Pepper Me Marketing, where we’ll be around everyone else.
But I want more time with him alone.
“Want help?”
“Help?”
“You want help with Izzy’s competition submission?”
“Oh . . . you want to help me?”
“I want to helpyouhelpher. Remember how I have a soft spot for kids like Izzy?”
More time with Ethan. That’s what I just asked for, and the universe is presenting it to me.
“Yeah, help would be good. Thank you.”
“Also, this is a much better option for yourVolunteerbucket list item.”
“Yup.” I swipe my card to enter the building, biting back a grin.
“You’re making such progress.”
“I know. It’s because I have an amazing advisor.”
“Damn straight you do.” Then Ethan Fraserwinksat me. He’s charming as fuck when he wants to be.
“I can send you what Izzy has so far.”
“Why don’t we look at it over a drink? I have rugby practice with the lads tonight, but tomorrow?”
We stand in front of the bank of elevators. Something has changed between us.
“Sure. Tomorrow after work we can get a drink.”
As I admitted on Friday, I like him.
And asheadmitted... he likes me, too. And the way he’s looking at me right now, with those huge dark eyes, pulling at his beard, maybe there’s more than that here.
18
ETHAN
Tuesday, 16 July
The bartender pushes a pint to me and a glass of red wine to Stella. We’re at the Windsor Castle pub up the street from Pepper Me Marketing. It’s a small, cozy bar that smells like Thai food and old wooden furniture.
“Tell me about your mentee.” I’m determined to avoid deeply personal confessions today. I’ve been a total disaster with her since we’ve been working together. I’ve confessed too much.
Stella leans her side against the bar and sips from her glass. “Izzy is exactly the kid who needs help from Mentor Me, or Sporting UK Foundation, or any kind of organization like that. She lives in a rough neighborhood and has an unstable home life with her mom, who’s always disappearing on her for days at a time, doesn’t provide for her...” She trails off, her eyes open wide.
