Page 23 of Unless It's You
“I have an offer to make you. A peace offering.” Ethan crosses his arms and leans against the old linoleum counter.
“An offer?” I crinkle my forehead, summoning the most skeptical look I can.
“I can be your advisor for your great-aunt’s bucket list.”
I scoff, then see he is serious. “Really? That is maybe the worst idea anyone’s ever had.” I pretend I hadn’t had the exact same thought moments ago.
But itisthe worst idea. Which is why I was so aggravated at Gemma for suggesting it. Gemma, who found it gleefully entertaining when I told her I was working with Ethan on this project.
“Why?” He pretends to look offended. At least Ithinkhe’s pretending. “Remember, we’re friends now. And I would enjoy telling you what to do.”
I sniff and really consider it. I need the help, and the days are ticking by, and I have nothing to show for them. What are my other options? I’ve literally run out of people in my life to ask. My sisters are a no-go, Gemma can’t do it, and coworkers are all out of the running. Do I even have a choice here?
Side note: I need to get more people in my life.
“Fuck,” I say, not meaning to speak aloud. “Sorry. I mean, okay, fine, you’re my advisor.”
He grins, showing his teeth to me. Is it a snarl? Nah, it’s nice. I think.
“This will be fun.”
“Sure. Fun.” Hardly.
“Are you getting coffee?”
My eyes flit up to meet his gaze as he sips from his steaming black cup. I hadn’t even noticed it was done.
Heat creeps up my neck. I throw a cup under the dispenser—I should’ve grabbed my mug from my desk, but Ethan’s throwneverythingoff—and click vanilla latte. Today I could useextra sugar and wish I could pop out and get one of those whipped cream covered mochas from the coffee shop. I push my shoulders back and cross my arms, just like his were before. Am I exuding confidence? I better be.
“Your first task is to come with me to London Zoo in Regent’s Park. Tomorrow.” I make an immediate decision to go for the adopt-a-zoo-animal option. I’ve gotta get this moving.
He blinks. “Okay.”
“You’ll be here anyway for the follow-up storyboard meeting, so we’ll go after work.”
“It’s a bucket list date.”
“It’s definitely not any kind of date, rugby dude.”
“Rugby dude? Is that your nickname for me?” His eyebrow quirks up.
“Oh, shut up. I don’t have anicknamefor you.”
As opposed to Ben’s perfectly straight nose, Ethan’s got a slight bump in his. I wonder how fast Ethan ran on the rugby pitch. I bet he was fast, too, but not afraid to get tackled.
Objectively, I shouldn’t be thinking about any of this. And then I realize, because I called himrugby dude, he must know I’m picturing him in those tiny rugby shorts that would cling around his thick thighs, and a skin-tight jersey that would outline the muscles on his torso.
He grins at me.Dammit! I knew it!
A question pops up in my mind. I wonder what happened with the girl back home? The one he was getting back together with? The one who made it a clear choice for me to say yes to Ben when he asked me out, even with the memory of Ethan’s kiss still on my mouth.
Ethan clears his throat and I startle. He raises both eyebrows and I blink five times in quick succession to get those images and questions out of my head.
“I had something else I wanted to show you. It was a commercial from another charity I thought was interesting,” he says.
Now we’re sharing interesting commercials with each other? At least it’s work relevant. But I should cut off all further bonding. It’s bad enough we’re going to the zoo tomorrow. On a bucket list zoo date. Jesus.
Ethan slides his cup onto the small counter space between the coffee machine and the sink and reaches for his cell, sticking out of his side pocket.
