Page 78 of The Wedding Planner's Manny
“You know,” Ethan continued speaking with a smile, “when you talked to Laura this morning, I'm pretty sure there was only one thing she didn't lie about.”
I tilted my head at him in question.
“I don't need a manny anymore,” Ethan clarified and my heart stopped dead in my chest, until he went on. “What I need is apartner.Will you be my partner? Will you trust me?”
All this time, words had failed me, but now he made it easy to respond. “Yes,” I said. “Yes, I will. I promise.” Being partners meant the relationship wasmutual. I could rely on him, and he could rely on me. To trust him. To be there for him.
I wanted that.
Ethan stood from his seat and then pulled me out of mine, all so he could kiss me. “You know who else you shouldn't believe?” he murmured against my lips as we broke. “Jeremiah. He was wrong about everything. You'resoworth it.”
“Thank you for saying that.”Thank you formeaningthat.“And thank you for everything else as well.
I know you're a wedding planner and all, but getting me that divorce? I think that's the greatest thing you've ever done.”
He laughed. “You're very welcome. Maybe I should add that to the list of services I offer?”
“I don't know. I like to think it was a special one-time thing reserved for me. Don't go all over town claiming everyone's babies.”
“Okay, I won't.” He gave me another kiss and rested one of his hands lightly on my belly and a hint of heat entered his gaze. “The one you're carrying is enough for me, anyway.” Pulling me closer, he lowered his voice. “You know, if you want to tell everyone that I'm this child's father, that's fine with me. I have some experience with being a father. Would you like to see my credentials?”
“No, it's okay. I've seen the projects you've worked on and I'm a big fan.”
Ethan's face lit up. “So you're hiring me?”
“I'm totally hiring you.”
“That's great. When can I start?”
With a smile, I leaned in and pressed my lips to his again. “Immediately.”
2 7
E T H A N
A fter that unpleasant confrontation in the restaurant, I decided to take Rhys back home with me.
Screw Laura being there. If she didn't like seeing me with Rhys, she could take a hike for all I cared. I needed someone on my side, and that someone was Rhys.
And I knew just how I was going to prove that to him too.
When we stepped in through the front door of the house, I heard the barking of my dog who came running to greet us—and sounds coming from Laura's atelier. Perfect. I wasn't surprised that she'd gone there. Since I'd taken Caleb to a friend's house and Nathan still refused to come out of his room, she was probably bored out of her mind.
“Laura and I are going to have a talk,” I told Rhys. “And I'd like you to come with me.”
He nodded, and together we stepped into the atelier.
Laura stood in front of a canvas that showed nothing but splatters in various colors. To me it looked as if a unicorn had sneezed on it, to be honest. The air smelled of paint and turpentine and I wondered how long she'd been in here.
“Oh, you're back,” she said, turning around. Then her gaze fell on Rhys. “And you brought him with you.”
“Yes, I did. I told you we were an item.” I took Rhys' hand.
She scoffed. “You told me you fucked him. You didn't say anything about being an item. I know that baby isn't yours.”
“My baby's parentage doesn't concern you,” Rhys spoke up, surprising me by standing his ground.
Laura arched an elegant eyebrow at him too, as if she'd seen him as a kitten but now she saw that he had claws and teeth.
