Page 52 of Sliding Into Love
“Bless you.” She sighed, searching for her favorite mug.
“And there’s going to be bacon, eggs, and pancakes up in a few minutes.”
“God, you’re amazing,” she mumbled with sleepy happiness. “I think I’ll marry you.”
Ethan’s back went ramrod straight at the stove.
Ivy poured her coffee.
And then what she’d said hit her.
“Eventually, I mean. When we’ve had three dates instead of two.” She giggled nervously.
Ethan remained silent.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, panic setting in. Too much, too fast. She should've kept her stupid mouth shut.
“Don’t be,” he said quietly. “I feel it too. It’s…intense.”
He held his arm out for her, and she tucked herself beneath, catching her breath and leaning against his side as he expertly made the most amazing breakfast she’d ever eaten. He kissed the top of her head, then steered her to the table where Jase was pointedly ignoring them by pouring orange juice into a glass.
After her second cup of coffee, Ivy heard a screech and saw Janna racing toward Ethan. Ivy stopped her before she rampaged into the stove and burned herself.
“Mister Ford!” Janna yelled, scrabbling to escape the circle of Ivy’s arms.
“Actually, Janna,” Ethan replied without looking at them as he skillfully flipped a pancake in the skillet, “my real last name is Fisher. I’m Ethan Fisher. You can call me that instead.”
Ivy’s heart stopped.
Sharing his real name was so personal, and his wanting to share it with her kids nearly overwhelmed Ivy. A tear leaked from the corner of her eye.
“Ethan Fisher?” Janna’s nose wrinkled. “Then who’s Mister Ford?”
“I’m Ethan Fisher,” he said. “Um. Ford is a name I made up.”
“Well, that’s silly.” Janna stared up at him, considering. “Hmm. Ethan. Okay!” And she wriggled away from Ivy to crawl into a chair.
“Ivy?”
“Yes, Janna?”
“Did you know he’s Ethan Fisher?” The little girl was serious, her eyes wide.
“I do now.” Ivy laughed.
“I already figured it out. I know how to use Google.” Jase shrugged.
Of course, he would’ve figured it out, with all the research he’d done after meeting Ethan.
"Right. Google. I’m impressed with your research skills."
Breakfast cooked by Ethan was the most delicious thing Ivy had ever eaten. His pancakes were light and fluffy with crispy edges, and there must have been some kind of magic in the eggs and bacon because she’d never had anything more wonderful.
She wondered what it would take to have Ethan Fisher cook her breakfast every morning.
Afew weeks passed with the assistant coaches doing their best, but the team floundered without proper leadership. Whether out of guilt or actual concern, assistant coaches steered clear of Ethan, leaving him to sit out games in the bullpen except when he ventured out with the team before games began.
That only made his mood darken further. Returning to the scene of his torment with nothing to do but sit and watch sent his mind back down those old paths of self-loathing and doubt. Darkness overtook him, and the mean, broken version of himself tried to rear its ugly head, despite the lightness Ivy had brought him.
