Page 28 of Gone for You

I mock-gasp. “Are my ears deceiving me or are you finally not fighting something?”

“Oh shush.”

“Should we grab a few pizzas? I’m sure the guys are starving by now, and I am, too.”

She looks at me and smiles. “It’s been a while since the kids have had pizza. They’d probably love it.”

“What’s not to love? It’s pizza!”

I hand her my phone and have her place our order after giving her the hotel details for them to deliver to.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt so spoiled in all my life.”

“I’m glad.”

It doesn’t take us long to get to the hotel. Ethan texted me with their room numbers and we make our way down the hallway quickly.

We knock on the door and it swings open, Conner’s smiling face greeting us.

“Mom! Look at this place! And we’ve got TWO rooms!” He holds up two fingers as he bounces on his toes. “And a door between us so we can run between us. Mom! Just look! Come on!” He takes her hand and pulls her in.

Ethan stands from the chair as soon as he sees me, struts my way, slips his hand around my waist, stubbled cheek slides against my soft one, kisses my temple then he says in a low voice, “Hey.”

It’s simple but a direct line straight to my center.

“Hey back.”

He grins. “Everything go okay?”

“She resisted but I got in there, dug my heels in and didn’t take no for an answer.”

“That’s my girl.”

Oh my.

“I ordered pizza. It should be here in about twenty minutes.”

“Pizza!” That comes from Levi.

“He’s feeling better, I see?”

Ethan chuckles. “It seems as though the idea of swimming in a pool and sleeping on an actual bed has magical healing powers. Plus, I may have given him some Coke. Not the drug, obviously.”

“Obviously.”

“So how about we leave them to it. If your heart was set on pizza tonight, I’m cool with that. We’ll transfer your haul from your car to the trailer.”

“What’s your plan?”

“My place?” I shiver. “I take it you approve?” I nod. “No expectations.”

“Of course not.” Like hell. I’m not going to miss an opportunity to be with this man. I might not live around here and have no idea what our future holds but tonight, I’m putting it out of my mind.

* * *

“Thank you for helping me today,”he says. “You have no idea what it means to me that you embraced Austin and Samantha’s family.”

“You already said that when you bought the pizza. Nothing says thank you like a large sausage and mushroom pizza with extra cheese. Besides, they’re great people and I loved shopping with her. They really don’t want to accept anything, though, do they?”

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