Page 26 of Gone for You

I rub a thumb along her cheekbone. “Good. Because it feels different for me, too.”

“It does?”

“Yeah, Liv, it does. I don’t know what it means, but I know I’m not ready to let you go and I’m open to whatever comes our way. Now, is there anything else on your mind or can we kiss again?”

She shakes her head. “That’s all. I only know a little bit about you but it doesn’t feel that way at all. It just feels… I don’t know, natural, or something. Like I was supposed to meet you last night at your bar. But that’s crazy, right?”

“You mean like fate?”

“Yeah. But, I don’t know if I believe in fate.”

“Well, I believe that there’s such thing as being in the right place at the right time. Last night was just our time to meet. What we do with that moving forward is up to us.”

“But that’s just it. How can there be so much between us already?”

“Don’t know. But I trust my instincts and they’re telling me to hang on tight.” And then I kiss her. A kiss to do my best to show her that I’m all in, ready for more.

Chapter 6

Olivia

“Buy it,buy it, buy it, buy it, buyyyyyyy iiiiiiittttt!”

Samantha says through the dressing room door, “No.”

“Samantha. Shut up. Let me be your friend and treat you and buy this sexy lingerie.”

She peeks her head out. “Liv, no. I don’t need it.” The door slams back shut and I smile.

“That’s the fun of it. And you might as well just give in because I’m not going to take no for an answer and I already know which size you wear. Either bring it with you now or I’m getting it to you later.”

I hear her groan through the door. “My gosh, you and Ethan are perfect for each other. Frickin’ pushy!”

I choose to ignore her comment on how perfect we are for each other and focus on the fact that I won.

When we arrived at Target, I knew it would be a struggle for Samantha to accept what I was offering and I wasn’t wrong. While I appreciate her hesitation, I want her to know the kindness of a stranger.

Knocking lightly, I go for a different approach. “Samantha? When was the last time you and Austin had a night to yourselves? Or even did anything that was just for you?”

I hear her sigh and the lock unlatch. I push the door open to see her sitting on the small bench, her hands grip her shirt tightly in front of her chest.

“It’s been a while,” she admits, eyes full of tears.

I let myself into her room and shut the door behind me. “I know this seems frivolous to you and that you’re likely feeling incredibly overwhelmed. Going from living where you are to a home and jobs for both of you is going to be a big transition. This is your chance for a fresh start. One day you and Austin will look back on this time and see how strong you both were and meet someone in need and be able to pay it forward.”

A tear escapes, making a trail down her cheek. “Itisoverwhelming. But not because of the changes. We’re definitely ready for those,” she chuckles then sobers. “Why us?”

I shrug. “Why not?” She blows out a shaky breath. “Listen, I’ve only known Ethan for a day. Actually, if we’re being technical, less than a day, but I know how smart, kind and generous and loving he is. Another thing I’ve learned about him in the last eighteen hours is that when he has something on his mind, nothing will stand in his way.”

“That’s what I don’t get, though. Why is he so determined to…”

“Change your lives?”

“That.”

I wish I had a better answer but all I can think of is, “Because he cares for your family.”

“Did you know he’s the first person in our lives to do that?”

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