Page 88 of One More Kiss

Stepping back, I looked up at him in confusion. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Ethan shook his head as he drained his beer. “I’m getting another,” he muttered as he walked away from me.

We’d stayed to the bitter end of the barn dance, and the ride home had been in silence. He stayed away for three days, and then when he came to the ranch, it was to talk.

“When you finish your degree, what next?” he asked as he leaned against the kitchen counter.

“Find a job,” I answered. “I didn’t spend all this time on my education to not put it to good use.”

Ethan’s lips formed a tight line as he nodded, never making eye contact. “And where will the job be?”

“I don’t know, where there are vacancies? How does anyone find a job?”

“So you could be anywhere?” he asked me as he refused to look at me.

“Why won’t you look at me?” I moved to stand closer.

“Because I don’t know you anymore, and the person you’re becoming, I don’t think I like her.”

Standing back, I looked at him in shock. “What? I’m exactly who I’ve always been!”

“No,” he said as he shook his head. “You’re colder, distant. You looked at me and my friends the other night like we were beneath you.”

“I didn’t!” I gasped in outrage. “I glared at that woman who was obviously into you, but your friends didn’t even talk to me!”

“Because you were sending fuck off vibes.”

“What?” Rubbing my hand over my eyes, I struggled to understand what he was saying. “You’re not making sense, Ethan.”

“I think, I think that we don’t make sense, not anymore.”

His words floored me. “Are you seeing someone else?”

“Don’t be an idiot, Peyton.”

“I’m not an idiot,” I snapped back. “This has come from nowhere, absolutely nowhere, and you what?” I drew a deep breath. “You just expect me to accept it?”

Ethan moved across the room, as if being three feet away from me was too close. He needed to be further. “Has it really come from nowhere? When was the last time you were home? When was the last time you wanted to be here, with me?”

“Always!” I cried. “I always want to be with you, but I have—”

“School. I know.”

“If you know, why are you suddenly saying it isn’t making sense?” I demanded.

“You say you want me, but do you want us? This?” He gestured to the kitchen. “I’m a ranch hand. This is where I belong.”

“I know that,” I whispered.

“Is it where you belong, Peyton?” His look was hard as he waited for the answer.

“I belong with you,” I insisted stubbornly as I folded my arms over my chest. Was the ranch where I wanted to be? I wasn’t sure, but was Ethan who I wanted beside me? Yes…

Ethan tipped his head back to look at the ceiling. “Say that you do, say you belong with me, and it’s me and you. Where do you see us belonging? Is it here?”

“I…” I hesitated. “I might not get a job here,” I admitted. “We’re only a small town.”

“Exactly, and you will go wherever you can, won’t you?”

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