Embarrassed, she opened a window to air out the place, and started dumping any leftover food in the trash or down the garbage disposal.
“Nice place,” he said as he walked around, looking at the art on the walls as though he didn’t see—or care about—the mess.
“I could barely get out of bed when I left here,” she explained. “I’m glad I came home early so that I can get this place cleaned up.”
“It’s not that bad.” He nudged her out of the way so he could close the garbage sack she’d filled. “Where can I take this?”
“I’ve got it,” she protested.
“Let me help.”
“But you have a long drive to get back home, and it’s already nine o’clock. You should get going.”
He frowned. No doubt he could tell that she was already pushing him away—at least in an emotional sense. “I thought I’d stay over and take you to the airport tomorrow, if that’s okay.”
“No need to put yourself to the trouble. I can grab an Uber.” She tried to take the sack from him, but he wouldn’t let go.
“After what happened at the Blue Suede Shoe, I’d rather not leave you alone.”
“I don’t need you to protect me,” she said. “I’ll keep the door locked. I’m sure everything will be fine.”
Straightening, he held her gaze. “I don’t want to leave when we still have more time, Emery.”
She hated the thought that they were coming to the end of whatever had started between them. What they’d had was so unexpected and so good for her—something that had nothing to do with rational thought or checking off a list of traits and preferences that signified he’d be a good match. It simply felt right—natural, comfortable, instinctual. But she preferred to say goodbye now—to get it over with so that she didn’t have to dread it any longer.
Still, she didn’t want to be rude, not after everything he’d done for her. “It’s just that... I know you don’t get to see your brothers very often, and Seth won’t be staying in Silver Springs for long.”
His scowl darkened. “Stop with the lame excuses.”
“Fine. The garbage bin is on ground level around the building to your right.”
“Got it.” He walked out of the kitchen, but as he carried the garbage through the living room, she heard an ominous crunch.
“What was that?” She hurried out to see that he’d stepped on the broken glass she hadn’t bothered to sweep up when she’d thrown a framed photograph of her and Ethan against the wall.
Dallas was bending down to see what he’d stepped on. “Nothing. I got it.”
“Are you okay? You didn’t get cut...”
“I’m fine.” After staring at the picture of her and Ethan—their arms draped around each other at a friend’s wedding—he dumped the frame, the glass and the picture inside the garbage bag. “Do you have a vacuum so I can clean up the smaller shards?”
“I’ll take care of it.”
She was just opening her broom closet when he came up behind her. Resting his hands lightly on her shoulders, he said, “Why won’t you relax and let me help you?”
She was tempted to close her eyes, to let herself feel the heat of his body, the fulfillment that came with just having him around, but she didn’t want him to know that such a small thing could mean so much to her. She was determined to respect the fact that his feelings for her were not as strong as hers were for him, and she refused to make him uncomfortable by coming off as needy or grasping. She thought if he hadn’t been through what he’d been through, things might be different. But if he wouldn’t open up and let her in, there was nothing she could do. She’d tried to talk about his past several times since she’d learned of it, but he’d shut her down every time. “There’s no need—that’s all. I’ve got this.”
“It’ll be easier to clean up this place if we both do it. It’ll be easier for you to get to the airport if I drop you off. After what happened at the Blue Suede Shoe, it might even be easier for you to sleep, knowing I’m here. Why are you so anxious to get rid of me?”
“Because it’s going to be hard enough,” she said. “We should just...get the goodbye over with.”
He turned her to face him and lifted her chin so she’d have to meet his gaze, but he didn’t get a chance to say whatever was on his mind. A determined knock at the door interrupted.
Somewhat relieved to avoid whatever had been coming next, she hurried to answer it.
With Dallas in the apartment, she felt perfectly safe, didn’t bother to check the peephole. She threw the door open, expecting a neighbor carrying a box that had been delivered while she was gone or something.
Instead, it was Ethan who stood on her stoop. “You!” she said.
“It’s about time you came back,” he responded. “I would’ve driven to Silver Springs, but it felt too much like entering the lion’s den. Whoever you’ve been with certainly doesn’t like me much.”
“For good reason,” she stated. “But...how’d you know I was home?”
“I asked the neighbor to give me a call if she ever saw you.”
“My neighbor contacted you?”
He gave her a taunting smile. “She happens to be a loyal fan.”
“A loyal fan of yours, maybe. Anyone who was loyal to me would never do such a thing.”
His smile faded. “Look, I’m sorry, okay?”
“For...” She was dying to hear him admit what he’d done, to take responsibility for it. But he didn’t answer. He leaned closer, his eyes widening in shock.
“Are those bruises on your neck?”
“Yes,” she snapped. “That’s what happens when someone chokes you! After everything you’ve done to destroy my life, I can’t believe you’d
