Do you want to meet me somewhere?
It’s best to be in public, I tell myself. That way I won’t do something stupid and risk her leaving.
How about the coffee shop you first took me to?
Her suggestion is perfect. Close to the amusement park, which is closed for the season. Near the ocean. In a public place, where I have to be on my best behavior. My fingers literally itch to touch her and I clench them into fists before I straighten them out and type out an answer.
That sounds good.
Tomorrow at three? Or is that too soon?
I smile at her response. Is that too soon? It’s never too soon to see Katie again.
Tomorrow at three is perfect.
I tell no one that I’m meeting with Ethan because it doesn’t need to be said. Mom will freak out and Brenna will barricade herself in my house and forbid me to leave. I made the mistake in telling them immediately after I found out his truth, their shock and horror over who he really is reaffirming my decision to run.
But now I hate that they know and they’ll hold this against him forever. There’s telling your family things from your life in order to gain their comfort and sympathy, and then there’s telling your family too much.
I went the too much route and I regret it.
Nerves eat at me as I make the drive, and my mind races. Am I wearing the right thing? Do I look pretty? Am I trying too hard? What do I say to him? What will I do when I first see him? Will I be able to face him, look into his eyes, find my voice and actually speak to him?
I’m scared.
Scared it won’t be the same between us. Afraid that what happened is too large of an obstacle for us to overcome.
For me to overcome.
Somehow I end up at the coffee shop. I hardly remember parking the car, walking along the street, entering the warm, fragrant building, so many people inside buzzing with energy, chatting excitedly as they sip their coffee. I look around, my entire body quaking as my gaze searches for him but he’s not there.
Disappointment makes my heart drop and I tell myself to shake it off. I’m early. Glancing at my phone, I see I’m here a whopping fifteen minutes before our planned meeting time and I go back outside, the cool, salty air like a balm to my overheated, over-stimulated body.
A park bench sits out in front of the building and I settle on it, my shoulders hunched against the cold, my head bowed so my chin dips into the soft infinity scarf around my neck. I wore black leggings and an oversized charcoal gray sweater, my hair up in a bun, my scarf a bright red color that probably draws too much attention. Pearl earrings that my grandma gave me for my twelfth birthday, minimal makeup, black flats.
I didn’t want to stand out so maybe the red scarf was a mistake? I look up and glance around, hoping to spot Ethan making his approach, but so far he’s nowhere in sight.
What if he doesn’t show?
Get a grip. You’re worrying over nothing.
Pulling my phone out of my tiny crossbody purse, I open it up and check my email. Boring. Just endless sale messages. I’m not on Facebook, not on Twitter, not on anything. I check my text messages though I don’t have any unread ones. I read the chain of messages between Ethan and me, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. I’m tempted to say something, but what?
I’m here!
Too eager.
Are you coming?
Way too anxious.
Where are you?
Too demanding.
Sighing, I shove my phone back into my purse and zip it closed. I’m being ridiculous. He’ll be here in minutes and we’ll go from there. I’m wasting my time trying to figure out what I should text him.
“Katherine?”
The familiar female voice causes me to jerk my head up, my eyes widening when I see who’s standing before me.
Lisa freaking Swanson.
“What are you doing here?” I breathe, glancing around, hoping like crazy Ethan doesn’t choose this particular moment to appear. If he does, we’re done for. Lisa will jump on this like a shark smelling blood in the water. She’ll grab hold and never let go until we’re both dead.
She sends me a look, one I can’t decipher. “I could ask you the same question.”
I gape at her. Is it really any of her business? “Having coffee.”
Lisa’s head dips, her gaze locked on my empty hands. “Hanging out first before you pick up a cup?”
I say nothing. There’s no point in defending my actions. I’ll just scramble and trip over my words and look like a liar—exactly what I am.
“Interesting location choice, too,” Lisa continues, looking left, then right. As if she’s trying to find someone. My throat goes tight and I press my lips together. “So close to the . . . scene of the crime. Are you trying to confront all of those inner demons, Katherine? This would make great TV by the way.”
Irritation fills me. Fuels me. I rise to my feet, causing her to back up a step. I realize in that instant I’m taller than she is—and I’m of average height so this isn’t saying much. I look down at her, dredging up any scrap of strength I can find within. “Do you consider every life moment TV-worthy?”
She tilts her head back, smiling up at me. “Yes. It’s what makes me so good at my job.”
Realization dawns and I step away from her, thrusting myself onto the sidewalk. A couple headed straight for me has to dodge around and I mumble an apology to their quickly retreating backs before I return my focus on Lisa. “Are you following me?”
Lisa blinks, the personification of innocence. “Why would you think that?”
She is. Oh God, she is. How dare she? “You are, aren’t you?” I don’t bother waiting for a response. She could defend herself till the cows come home and I won’t believe a word she says. “You have no right to follow me.”
“I have every right to follow you,” she says crisply, her eyebrows rising up. I bet she figured I’d be my usual meek self. Well, forget that. “Agree to the interview and I’ll leave you alone.”
“Do you really think you’ll gain my cooperation with bully tactics? I don’t think so.” I’m about to leave, turn on my heel, and get the hell out of there when I spot him. Him.
Ethan.
He’s to my left, walking along the sidewalk, somehow a head taller than everyone else in the crowd. His brows furrow in that way he gets when he’s concerned or agitated and I quickly shake my head, sending him a look that says stay away. My heart races as if it’s desperate to leap out of my chest and chase after Ethan. As if it knows that’s where it belongs.
I swallow hard, my gaze meeting Lisa’s once more. Thank God she didn’t notice Ethan making his way toward us. She’s too busy talking to pay attention.
“You’re making this difficult on me, Katherine. My boss says he wants you included in this interview. Even if it’s for ten minutes.” At my eye roll she amends herself. “Five minutes. Two minutes, whatever it takes to get your opinion on Aaron Monroe and what he has to say.”
I shake my head, trying my best to remain composed. “I refuse to allow you to manipulate me any further. You had your chance. Now please, leave me alone.”
Without a backward glance I walk away. I can almost feel Lisa’s angry gaze on me, her frustration coming at me in palpable waves. But I also feel something else, something full of . . . longing and confusion. Every hair on my body seems to stand on end and I rub my hands over my forearms to wipe away the chill bumps that have suddenly formed.
As subtly I can, I glance over my shoulder to catch Ethan watching me in the near distance. Unnoticed by Lisa, by everyone but me. Just another man in the growing crowd, his mouth tight, his eyes full of pain.
I meet his gaze for the briefest moment and I can feel him. Feel his presence, his strengths, his weaknesses, but most of all, I feel his unequivocal yearning reaching toward me. The yearning he feels for me. For this.
For us.
My body answers, everything within me growing warm and loose. I turn away, my
breath short, my heart thumping, the blood roaring in my ears. One look at him, one single moment of our gazes meeting, and I’m lost. His hold on me is so incredibly baffling, so unbelievably dangerous, I’m not sure what to do.
Instead of going to my car, I dart into the narrow alleyway between the coffee shop and the building next to it. I lean against the brick wall to catch my breath, close my eyes for the briefest moment as I try to compose my chaotic thoughts.
Did I really think I’d be able to withstand Ethan by meeting him in public? We just saw each other with plenty of distance between us and I feel like I’ve been electrified by a live wire. What might’ve happened if he actually touched me?
I don’t know if I would’ve survived it.
“Katie.”
That deep, masculine voice slides down my spine, settling low. I open my eyes, my lips parting as I see him standing directly in front of me.
Ethan.
We come from different worlds.
She’s . . . perfect. And I’m . . . not. Somehow she wants me anyway.
So we’ll grasp at what we can. She’s my secret. And I’m hers.
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Never Tear Us Apart (Never Tear Us Apart #1) Page 32