Page 22 of Accidentally Yours
Something about the way she said it—like she really meant it—made his chest tighten.
“It’s fine. I healed. Could’ve been worse. I wasn’t wearing a helmet.”
She hesitated, like she had more questions, but wasn’t sure how to ask them.
“How many brothers do you have?” she asked after a few beats.
He could have left it at that, changed the subject. But he didn’t.
“Four. And two sisters.”
Her brows shot up. “You’re one of seven?”
He nodded, and more of the story bubbled up. There was something about Paige’s curiosity that he wanted to satiate. “My parents divorced when I was five. I was the only kid they had together. After that, my mom decided motherhood wasn’t her thing and took off to live her best hippie life.” He said it casually, because it didn’t sting. Not anymore. They’d reconnected, and he’d made peace with her decision, even though it wasn’t one he would ever understand. “My dad remarried quick. My stepmom had four kids of her own, and they had two more together. We were like theBrady Bunch—if theBrady Bunchwas wildly dysfunctional.” He smiled, making light of it. “My older brothers never liked me much. Weren’t thrilled I ‘messed up’ their family dynamic. And they thought I was my dad’s favorite.” A sentiment he never agreed with.
Paige frowned, looking as though she might reach for his hand again. Instead, she curled her fingers into her palm. “I’m sorry. That sounds rough.”
He waved it off. “Everyone’s got their baggage. Therapy helped.” He shot her a grin, and she returned it.
“Are Mary Anne and Aldean your dad’s parents or your mom’s?”
“My mom’s.” His expression softened. “I was their only grandchild. They spoiled me with attention. They were my happy place.”
Paige sat with that for a moment. Then, quietly, she said, “I get it.” She folded her hands on the table, like she was seeing him in a new light. “I’m glad you had them.”
Something shifted between them—small, but Ethan caught it. And he wanted to hold on to that connection, grasp it with his hand.
Just then, Paige’s laptop beeped. She glanced down at it and sighed. “Ugh, I’m almost out of battery. Why didn’t I pack my charge cord?” She frowned at her computer.
“You want to go get coffee?” he asked impulsively, not ready for their time together to be over. “I could use some caffeine.” Plus, if he didn’t get up and move soon, he’d likely be glued to this chair forever.
She looked up, her face brightening. “I’d never say no to coffee. And a change of scenery would be nice too.”
Ethan stood, grabbing his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. Paige gathered her things, stuffing her laptop into her tote. They left the office, stepping outside into a wave of warm air, thick with the scent of city pavement baking in the late afternoon sun.
“There’s a great coffee shop a few blocks from here,” Ethan said, moving his sunglasses from his head to his nose as they fell into step together.
“Lead the way.” Paige ran her hands through her hair again, maneuvering her wild waves into yet another tidy topknot. Ethan watched her work her magic with practiced ease.
The city buzzed around them—car horns, the hum of distant music from an open storefront, the rhythmic slap of runners’ feet against the pavement. A breeze carried the scent of something sweet from a nearby bakery, and the sun hung low in the sky, stretching their shadows long across the sidewalk.
They talked as they walked—about the book, about Paige’s plan for the first chapter, about Ethan’s thoughts on Aldean’s next move. And then Ethan caught an erratic movement out of the corner of his eye, and a few back-to-back flashes of light. He glanced ahead, confirming his thought.
He dipped his head toward Paige and murmured, “Don’t look now, but I think we have an audience.”
Stiffening, Paige did the opposite of what he’d told her, glancing around as if a lion were stalking them through the city streets. “What?”
He flicked his gaze toward a woman amongst the parked cars, phone angled toward them, flashing again. “You think she’s a fan of yours or mine?” he asked jokingly.
The women gasped and grabbed her friend’s arm. They squealed something intangible to each other.
“Yours,” Paige whispered, cocking a brow. “Definitely yours. Mine don’t squeal.”
Ethan smiled, and an idea hit him. “Should we test out our ‘fake dating’ skills?” Why not take advantage of the situation? It was the perfect setup.
Paige furrowed her brow. However, as they neared the women, now both blatantly taking pictures of them, she shrugged. “Might as well. Maybe we’ll get another viral post? That’d make Kaylor and Marsha happy.”
“Another viral post of us lovebirds out in the wild?” he jested, and smirked, but suddenly wasn’t sure what to do to play into the façade. Hold Paige’s hand? Whisper sweet nothings into her ear? Ethan settled for sliding his arm around Paige’s shoulders but second-guessed his decision when her whole body went rigid.
