Page 30 of Watch Me
“Yeah?” Iprompted.
Ethan cupped my cheek with his warm hand, brushing his thumb across my bottom lip. “I just want you to know that I’m still in love with you, Buttercup. I don’t think I ever stopped, and I don’t want my ex-wife to get between us. That’s over. Been over for years, and I don’t want anyone except you. I’ve always wanted you. Only you.”
I melted. Right there in the front seat of his Ford F150, I liquefied. I knew that if I needed to get out of the high cab, I would fall onto the ground because my knees felt so weak. I smiled warmly. “I still love you too.”
“Yeah?” Hegrinned.
“As you’ve said before, we’re not in the beginning stages of our relationship. It’s hard to know if we’re moving too fast, but what I do know is that I have never stopped loving you.”
Without another word, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine. Our mouths worked together as though a weight had been lifted, and we werefinallyable to express how we felt about each other. I poured everything into that kiss. Telling him I was sorry for breaking his heart all those years ago. Sharing my jealousy of what he’d had with Jessica: marriage, babies—she had his last name. And me—me just loving him in that kiss.
When we needed to come up for air, we broke apart, but Ethan kept our foreheads touching. “You just made this the best night of my life.”
“Even better than when Cohen and Tyson were born?” I teased with agrin.
Ethan smiled, pulling his head back. “Okay, the births of my sons and tonight are all tied.”
“What about the first time we had sex? Or the lunch—”
He took my mouth again, silencing me. “Fine. Tonight isoneof the best nights of my life.”
I grinned. “Mine too.”
He kissed me again quickly. “We better go before Rhys blows up my phone.”
I chuckled. “He does seem like the type to question why we’re late.”
Ethan started the truck again and pulled away from the curb. “He’s a good guy and loves my sister. Treats her well too. That’s all that matters.”
It didn’t take long to get to the karaoke bar where we were meeting everyone. Ashtyn and Rhys had told me they met the owner, Otis, a few years back, and they were able to get free drinks whenever they came in. It was also walking distance to Ethan’s condo, which was abonus.
After we parked in Ethan’s building’s parking garage, we walked a few blocks to the bar. It felt good, walking hand in hand, knowing that he loved me—still loved me. It gave me hope that everything was how it was meant to be. It sucked that we’d had twenty-three years apart, that we’d started our own families separately, but life didn’t always go asplanned.
The bar was packed when we walked in. Judy’s was rustic, but Otis’s karaoke bar was what I would call swanky. It was dimly lit with plush, brown leather, half-moon booths facing a stage. The bar had lighting under the bartop, making it look elegant and sleek. It wasn’t what I expected a karaoke bar to look like, but more like a jazzclub.
“Next to the stage is Rhys,” the DJ stated as we walked farther in, searching for Ethan’s family. Cheers erupted, and my gaze immediately flicked to the booth where the four of them weresitting.
“Looks like we’re just in time,” I observed. Ethan led us to the table as Rhys took thestage.
“You made it!” Ashtyn yelled excitedly. The three of them made room for Ethan and me. “You’re next, big brother.”
Ethan laughed. “Yeah, fucking right. My ass isn’t getting up there.”
“We’ll see about that.” Shesmirked.
Music started to play, and Rhys began to sing. I didn’t know the song, but I looked at the screen as he sang: “Downtown” by Majical Cloudz. The band name and title still didn’t ring a bell, but the lyrics sounded good to me, and they were perfect for how I assumed Rhys felt for Ashtyn. While he sang, he looked at his wife, causing her to beam ear to ear as she watched. I envied her. I wanted a husband of three or so years who still looked at me likethat.
Carter slid out of the booth. “I’m going to the bar. What can I get you all?”
“I thought you were on call?” Ethanquestioned.
“Shh,” Ashtyn scolded. “Rhys is singing. Just bring us all back shots or something.”
Carter left, and by the time the song was over, he was back with a round of Fireball shots for all of us except himself. Rhys slid into the booth, snatching a shotglass.
Ethan shook his head and pushed the cinnamon whisky away. “I have work in the morning.”
“Loosen that stick.” Rhys smirked athim.
