Page 7 of Accidentally Yours
“My grandma and grandpa,” Ethan confirmed. “Pops and Mimi, to be exact.”
Paige’s mouth hinged open. Her chin might’ve hit the table.
“That’s why I was at the museum yesterday,” he continued, ignoring her stupor. “Pops wrote those clues for me and Mimi to follow. He loved to create adventures.” He paused. A blender whirred at the bar behind them. “When Pops passed, there was some confusion in the will and the first clue got donated to the museum, along with the jewels, pictures, and news clippings. He intended the clue for me and Mimi. It wasn’t meant for the public.”
Paige gathered her bouncing thoughts, grasping hold of them. “So, you were at the museum yesterday to read the clue in the exhibit? Just like me? And search for the next one?”
“But you found it first.”
Her resolve wavered for a moment. She didn’t know Ethan outside of his nasty tweet or the reality TV persona she’d watched onSurvivor.On that show, he’d proven to be a master manipulator, skilled at weaving lies and stabbing people in the back. Slowly, Paige folded her arms over her chest. “How am I supposed to know you’re telling the truth?”
Ethan’s gaze didn’t falter. “I figured you’d want proof.” Digging into his jacket, he pulled out a few photos and spread them out on the table. “This is me, with Pops and Mimi.”
Paige studied the pictures, skeptical. In the first photo, a lanky teenage Ethan stood, grinning, between an elderly couple, all of them dressed up for what looked like a special occasion. In the second, the three of them were sitting on a couch. His grandparents flanked Ethan, now an adult, his arms draped around their shoulders.
And there it was. In both pictures, the woman wore the ruby necklace. It was a unique, unmistakable piece, featuring a large crimson jewel the size of a quail’s egg, which rested in an intricate gold setting, surrounded by smaller, glittering diamonds. It was the same necklace Paige had seen in the museum photos. Paige looked back up at Ethan, asking for more with her eyes.
“She wore it on every anniversary,” Ethan said softly, his fingers brushing the edge of the top photo. “Didn’t matter if Pops took her to the fanciest restaurant in the city or down the street for tacos. She always wore it.”
His voice was different now—gentle, almost reverent. For the first time, Ethan didn’t seem like a smug, fame-hungry celebrity. He seemed . . . vulnerable?
“I see,” Paige murmured, sitting back, this information overloading her mind.
Ethan cleared his throat and collected the photos as though he’d let her see too much. “What I’m trying to say is we can help each other.”
“How, exactly?” she asked, even though he’d grabbed her attention. “What do you want from me?” And what was he willing to give?
“Those clues.” The intensity in his eyes drew her in, despite herself. “They’re not just random riddles. They’re tied to my family, my grandparents, their history. I can help you solve them. You won’t figure them out without me.”
Paige bit the inside of her cheek, mulling over his offer. She still had the second clue tucked in her purse, buried amongst receipts, keys, and a few tubes of lip balm. She’d found it herself, without his help. But the riddle tucked in her purse? She’d read it over and over, and its meaning remained a mystery. Still, she lifted her chin. “I found the second clue on my own.” Her fingers tightened on the strap of her purse. “What makes you think I can’t figure out the others?”
Ethan’s expression remained calm, unshaken. “It was in The Bird of Paradise exhibit,” he said. “The wildlife dioramas. That’s where you found it, right?”
Paige’s eyes widened, her reaction betraying her. “How did you—”
“I was heading there when I saw you,” he interrupted.
Paige dropped the purse strap. It pooled in her lap. “How’d I get to it before you?”
“In the wild, not all jewels are stone. Some are worn, some are shown. Seek the creature whose crown is bright, hidden where day turns to night,” Ethan recited the riddle, from memory. “The mention of the crown threw me off. I thought Pops was referencing lions—the kings and queens of the jungle. My grandparents’ last big trip together was a safari in the Serengeti, so I searched the Africa wing.” He swallowed before continuing. “But they also studied Birds of Paradise early in their marriage. New Guinea was one of their first field expeditions together.”
Paige’s defenses softened—just a little. “Birds of Paradise,” she confirmed with a nod. “Male birds use their vibrant feathers and elaborate dances to attract a mate. They have brightly colored plumage on their heads that resembles crowns.” The facts tumbled out, like she couldn’t stop them.
Ethan’s lips curved into a slow grin. “That’s correct.” He shifted in his seat. “That’s not a species most people know anything about. How’d you know?”
“I had a subscription toNational Geographicwhen I was a kid,” she said, with a shrug. “I liked the Creature Feature articles. The Bird of Paradise facts stuck with me, I guess.”
Their eyes locked, and for a moment, there was an understanding of sorts. It unnerved Paige.
Her mind spun as Ethan continued to watch her. His pale-blue eyes searched her gaze, and she considered what it would look like to partner with him.
You don’t have to do it, she told herself. She still had the advantage. She had possession of the clue, even if she had no idea what it meant.
“You’ll help me solve the clues in exchange for what?” she asked, keeping her tone even. “Co-writing my book?” If he only wanted the necklace, why did he care about writing a book together?
“Yes.” Ethan nodded. “You get the story you need, and I get the necklace back. Win-win. Plus, I want to make sure you accurately represent my grandparents’ story.”
She tapped a finger against the table and pursed her lips. “How would the writing work? You’d let me take the lead?” She cocked an eyebrow, daring him to disagree with her.
