He smiles and leans in close.“I wonder how that happened.”
I return his smile, biting my bottom lip.“I have no idea.”
***Casey***
Blinking in disorientation, I stare up at the strangeceiling.Where am I?The huge bed, the smell of cologne—Ethan’s bedroom.Fuck!I scramble out of the bed, searching for my clothes.Where the hell is mydress?I find my shoes, and his clothes are sitting on the chair in thecorner, but mine are nowhere to be found.Shrugging into his shirt, I dragmyself to the bathroom.After brushing my teeth, I set out to find him.I meethim coming up the stairs with a breakfast tray.His smile quickly fades as hisgaze meets mine.
“Where’s my dress?”
“Why?”
“Why?Because I need to go home.I don’t know why I’m evenhere.”
“You fell asleep—”
“So you decided to take me here instead?Damn it, Ethan!”
I storm off, leaving him standing in the middle of thestaircase.I need to find that stupid dress!
“Casey, what’s wrong?”he asks as he enters the bedroom.
“You know the rule, Ethan.No all-nighters.”
He sets the tray on the bed and grabs my hand to halt mysearch.
“It’s okay.I spoke to Clara—”
“You did what?”I snap.
“Casey, calm down.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down, and don’t use your cop voice onme!You don’t make decisions for me, and my father isnotyourresponsibility.”
“Please, talk to me.What’s this really about?”
I turn my back to him as the emotions build up inside mebecause I don’t want him to see me crying.The tears pool in my eyes and Istomp my foot in anger.He steps in front of me, concern blanketing his features.
“Baby, please, tell me what’s wrong.”
“My mom died in the middle of the night, and I didn’t evenget to say good-bye.”
He pulls me into his arms, crushing me to his chest.
“Sweetheart, that’s not your fault.”
“Yes, it is!I was supposed to be there with her… Instead, Itook an extra shift at the bar.I should have been there.I should….”
I break down, sobbing into his chest, my knees giving out.He catches me and moves to the bed, cradling me on his lap.
“She needed me.She asked… for me… and I wasn’t there!”
“Shh.It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Yes, it is.I’m here.You don’t have to do this by yourself.”
Sniffling, I peek up at him.“I don’t?”
