Page 44 of The Wedding Planner's Manny
“No, I'm just not feeling well. I think I'll just go sit over there for a while.” Rhys pointed to the wall.
“Are you sure?” Had I done something to upset him?
“Yes, I’m sorry. I just need a minute.”
“Okay, then. Let me know if you need anything.”
Rhys nodded and slunk off. I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right, but I couldn't figure out what it was either. The day had been going so well, and now the other couples were starting to dance. I wished I could lead Rhys back to the dance floor and sway with him to the music too. But maybe he didn't want that. Maybe that was the problem.
What if Rhys just didn't want to dance with me like that? He might be thinking it was too early for us to be acting like a couple, or he didn't want to do it in front of his brother. That was also a possibility.
Or he's actually not feeling well and this isn't about you at all.
There were many reasons Rhys might not want to dance with me. For now, all I could do was leave him be and focus on my clients. Rhys and I could talk later—if he still wanted to come back to my place with me. I hoped he would. I couldn't wait to have him to myself. I didn't need to dance with him. I just needed him close. Away from the eyes of anyone who could judge us.
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W hen the dance lesson concluded, Nick gave me a pat on the back before exiting the building.
“Good luck,” he whispered and I felt all the muscles in my body draw tight, all too aware exactly what I needed good luck for. I'd go back to Ethan's place with him, and then... I was going to tell him the truth. That I was expecting a baby from my ex-husband.
Ethan approached me as soon as everyone else had left. “Are you feeling any better yet?”
“Yeah, thank you. I'm sorry I ruined our fun.”
“It's okay. We'll try again another time. Maybe you'll be dancing with me at your brother's wedding.”
“If I've learned how to dance by then.”
“Maybe I'll teach you in private some time,” Ethan suggested and a shiver of anticipation went down my spine. “Seriously, I should have done that in the first place. I understand if you don't like to be watched as you learn.”
Oh, was that why he thought I sat out? I really needed to tell him what was actually going on. Soon.
“It's not like that. I'll... tell you why I didn't want to dance when we get to your place.”
Ethan brightened. “I'm just glad you still want to come back to my place with me. I was worried you might have changed your mind over the past week or something.”
“No, I haven't.”
But when you hear what I have to say, you might.
The drive back to Ethan's place went by quickly. Way too quickly. I wouldn't have minded sitting in his car for a little while longer, breathing in the scent of his citrus air freshener and Ethan's own alpha scent that stuck to the upholstery and everything else. Anything to buy some time before we had to have the talk.
But then Ethan pulled into his driveway and my time was up.
Like a true gentleman, he got out of the car first, walked around and opened the door on my side. I had no choice but to exit the car and walk into the house with him. It was nice how he opened both the car door and eventually the door to the house for me, but Jeremiah used to do that for me too. I didn't need an alpha to open the door for me. I needed one who wouldn't tear my head off at the first whiff of bad news.
“You look pale,” Ethan commented as he led me into the living room. “Are you still not feeling better? Should I take you home instead?”
“No, it's fine... just... You might want to sit.” I pointed at the couch as Ethan's puppy ran around my legs, excited to see me again.
“Will you sit with me?” Ethan asked as he lowered himself onto the couch, a curious expression on his face. The poor guy had no idea what was going on. Or what he was about to hear.
“I really can't sit right now, I'm too restless.” I felt more like pacing the room or running circles around the house. My heart pounded in my ears and my hands were getting sweaty. I hadn't been this nervous since the day I decided to tell Jeremiah that I was leaving him. “There's something I need to tell you and there's a good chance you'll want me out of the house after I do.”
That made Ethan get up from the couch again, even though he'd only just sat down. The expression on his face changed from curious to dead serious as he reached out to take one of my hands in both of his own, his long fingers closing around mine. The touch was comforting, keeping me in place even as I wanted to run home and hide under a pile of books the way I'd done for most of my life. “I can't think of anything for you to say that's going to make me want you less right now.” He looked into my eyes as he said this, and I saw nothing but honesty reflected in his.
