Sea Glass Island (Ocean Breeze) - By Sherryl Woods Page 0,37
about manis and pedis and pampering,” Gabi insisted. “The rest is just mental doodling, something to think about while we’re getting pretty.”
“If you say so,” Samantha said, but her enthusiasm for the evening ahead had dwindled just a little. “What makes you think my career needs another boost? I haven’t said a word about work.”
“Precisely,” Gabi said. “And since you’re usually brimming over with excitement when things are going well, I find that silence pretty deafening. So do Grandmother and Emily.”
“But you’re the designated interrogator?”
“No interrogation,” she promised. “Just an offer to pitch in if you want my help.”
“Let’s just stick to the makeovers, dinner and girl talk, okay? Talking about my career will just depress me. I have a lot of things to figure out.”
“Talking it through might help,” Gabi said.
“Actually I did talk a few things through with Ethan.”
Gabi didn’t even attempt to hide her surprise. “When did you and Ethan have this little heart-to-heart? Last night when he showed up at Boone’s and dragged you off?”
“Then, and again this morning,” Samantha revealed.
Gabi’s eyes widened. “Hold on. Did you go home with Ethan last night? I could have sworn you slept in your own bed at Grandmother’s.” Her mouth dropped open. “Or did Ethan stay at the house?”
“Wipe that mental image right out of your head,” Samantha scolded. “I’m not likely to bring a man I hardly know into my bed under Cora Jane’s roof. She’d tan my hide and load up her shotgun to ensure a wedding.”
Gabi laughed. “Yeah, I think that’s why Wade refuses to stay over, too. And we’re already committed to walking down the aisle once Emily’s big shindig is behind us. So, when did you and Ethan continue your conversation?”
“We went for a run together this morning,” Samantha said casually as if it were an everyday occurrence. “The coastline is especially pretty just after sunrise. In fact, everything has this lovely golden glow. I’m thinking I’d like to check out Sea Glass Island if we go running again. All those beautiful bits of colored glass that wash ashore must look amazing in that light.”
“And how does Ethan look at daybreak? Amazing?” Gabi teased.
“Oh yeah!” Samantha replied with a heartfelt sigh before she could stop herself. “The man is a god!”
“So much for any attempt to claim that you’re past that old high school crush,” Gabi said. Her expression turned worried. “Samantha, be careful.”
The genuine concern in her sister’s voice was troubling. “What do you mean? I know what I’m up against. Ethan doesn’t do relationships.”
“But you do,” Gabi reminded her. “Just not for the long term. Add in the distance, and I see a rocky road ahead. Ethan had his heart ripped out once. I’d hate to see it happen again.”
Samantha didn’t even try to hide her surprise. Why hadn’t it occurred to anyone to worry about Ethan before they started throwing them together at every opportunity?
“So you’re worried about him, not me?” she said, trying to clarify.
“I’m worried for both of you.”
“Well, you can stop worrying. We both understand the situation. I’m here for another ten days or so. We’re not going to do anything crazy in such a short time. We’re having fun. That’s it.”
“Bedroom fun?”
“That hasn’t come up,” Samantha admitted, then thought of the undeniable attraction always simmering just below the surface whenever they crossed paths. “At least not yet.”
“Sweetie, some men might enjoy casual sex without giving it a second thought. I don’t think Ethan is one of those guys.”
“And I’m not one of those women,” Samantha retorted heatedly. “Come on, Gabi, give me a little credit here. I don’t go around seducing men, then deliberately set out to break their hearts.”
“I’m just saying—” Gabi began, but Samantha cut her off.
“I know what you’re saying. I’ll be careful.” She gave her sister a plaintive look. “It’s just that being around him, after all those years of fantasizing about him...” She smiled. “It’s better than I ever imagined.”
Gabi regarded her with dismay. “This has gone way beyond fantasizing, hasn’t it? You’re falling in love with him, aren’t you? I’m not sure any of us really anticipated that before we stuck our noses into this. I know I just wanted a little payback for the way you all pushed Wade and me together.”
“I’m not sure I know what real love even feels like,” Samantha replied. “But, yes, maybe.”
“What do you see happening next?”
Samantha sighed at that. “I have no idea, but since Ethan is pretty adamant about not ever getting involved