A force of nature. She’s like a tornado that rolls in, leaving havoc in its wake.
By the time Fergus drops me at the hotel, I’m in a daze, my mind a jumble of conflicting thoughts. I head to my room, desperate to lie down, only to find Ethan sitting where I left him this morning. He’s not even changed his clothes. He’s got a phone pressed to one ear and his tablet in the other hand.
When his eyes land on me, they widen, taking in my transformation. However, he lifts up his finger, continuing his conversation with the other person on the line. “Fine. We’ll be back by the day after tomorrow. Come in the evening, after work. Natalie will sort you out.”
He ends the call, and then turns to stare at me. “Your hair. What did she do to your hair?”
He looks almost distraught, his expression so uncharacteristically open that it catches me off guard. His reaction has me feeling slightly defensive.
I set down the shopping bags and touch the ends of my hair, the strands silky against my fingertips. “You don’t like it? Megan said it made me look edgy.”
He walks over to me and examines it, his gaze intense.Before I can stop him, he reaches out and grabs a fistful of it lightly.
“Ethan!” I protest, startled by the sudden contact.
He lets go, sighing. “Well, it’s done. You do look beautiful with the short hair, but I can’t get a good grip with this much?—”
My eyes widen as I realize why he’s so upset. I smack him in the chest, the solid muscle unyielding beneath my palm. “You pervert! That’s what had you worked up?!”
He frowns, not the least bit apologetic. “It’s a genuine concern. Anyway, did you have a fun trip?”
I watch him smile at me, and his sister’s words come rushing back. Is it true? Doesn’t he smile around other people?
I recall the family dinner he took me to. He wasn’t surly, but he was a little aloof. Even when he talks to Clarice or his brothers, he always holds himself back, just a little bit. He barely smiles.
My heart skips a beat. Why? Why is he so focused on me?
When I don’t answer, his smile fades. “What? Did anything happen?”
“You do know that you have your own hotel room, don’t you?” I finally ask, evading his question.
“I prefer your room.” His response is simple, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“Do you want to swap rooms?”
His lips twitch. “No.”
I walk over to sit down on the couch which he just vacated, the leather cool against my bare legs. “I’m never going shopping with your sister again.”
“That bad?” He looks curious, a hint of exasperation in his eyes. “What did she do?”
I just gesture towards the shopping bags, and he rifles through them, his movements precise and controlled. When he turns around, he actually looks disappointed. “Only three dresses?”
I gape at him, incredulous. “It’s one event, Ethan! Three is two too many! What do you mean by ‘only three’?”
Ethan opens one of the boxes and raises a brow. “Forest green?”
I’m too tired to move, and I peer at the box from where I’m sitting. “Is that the one she bought? I have no idea. I was just begging her to leave. She made me try on thirty dresses, Ethan. And I counted. I don’t think I can feel my feet. I’m pretty sure they’re swollen.”
I stare down at my throbbing feet, wondering if I can crawl to the bedroom. I just want this day to be over with.
He’s looking over my other purchases, or Megan’s purchases, his expression thoughtful.
At first, I had argued with her about using Ethan’s card. I may not have any savings, but I can still use my credit card. She refused to let me, and all the stores she took me to knew her on a first-name basis. When I tried to shove my card at them or even try to control the situation, I was ignored. At some point, I had to accept I was in way over my head.
I lean my head back against the couch and close my eyes, exhaustion seeping into my bones.
“Have you been here since I left?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
