Page 8 of Desperate Temptations

I glance over at Ethan’s sleeping form, a weird sense of regret pillowing in my gut. We could have possibly avoided all this if I had spoken up, but we were just kids and how was I supposed to know how it would go? I’m sure there are some parts that Ethan doesn’t regret. Getting off the bed, I stretch out my stiff body before moving out to the balcony, ensuring I don’t make any noise.

A selfish part of me is glad to have my best friend back, even at the expense of Lyndsey’s life. But I can’t imagine where his future will go now, especially if the child turns out to be his. All I know is that I’m pretty sure I want to stick around and find out.

I jump a little when the door opens and Ethan sits on the chair opposite me. “Couldn’t sleep?”

Shaking my head, I raise an eyebrow. “You?”

“No. Man, I wish we had a joint right now.”

My lips quirk. “I could probably get us one, but the dealer is kind of clingy and I don’t like getting his hopes up.”

Ethan laughs softly. “But you’d do it for me?”

I shrug. “And the weed.”

He shakes his head. “I’m good. I won’t subject you to such exploitation.”

“Only the kind that gets us free rooms,” I say with a snort.

I’m joking, but his face falls.

“I promise I’ll pay you back once I know for sure they can’t track my movements.”

I wave my hand. “I wasn’t being serious, Ethan. Just because I prefer to live frugally doesn’t mean I don’t have the money in the bank. Actually, I ended up finding an investor when I was in Amsterdam, and he’s doubled Granny’s trust since I was a teen.”

Ethan’s mouth drops open. “No shit?”

“Yeah. Don’t tell Marie though. She cleared out her savings for a house I advised her against. And you know how her husband is.”

A grimace works on his face. “She’s still with him?”

“Yup.” I nod. “Just had her third kid last year.”

“Damn, he latched onto her tight, didn’t he?”

The hatred I have for my brother-in-law grows brighter. “Yeah, I mean… who would leave their meal ticket? He knows I’d never let Marie or the kids go without anything. So his job hopping towhatever suits his fancy at the moment is like his dream come true.”

Ethan sighs. “Marie is way too good for him. He’s a fucking loser.”

I hum in agreement. “Sometimes people are just blind.” I wince as soon as I hear the words and he lets out a hollow laugh.

“Yeah, that’s the damn truth.”

My tongue rolls over the back of my teeth, debating if I should bring it up or let it go. There’s no real reason to mention it. She’s dead and we can’t go back in time.

Ethan turns and faces me, his eyes studying my face. “You look constipated.”

I snort. “Just thinking.”

“Must not be good thoughts then.”

“Just the past,” I say with a shrug.

Fuck, I could go for a joint right now too.

“Our past?” he probes.

Blowing out an exasperated breath, I turn to watch the city. “You know the summer after high school graduation? When we wanted to take that trip around Europe and then some of Asia? Lyndsey begged me to stop it.”

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