ELLIE
Todd was the last person I wanted to see right now. His presence felt like a looming dark cloud over my relationship.
But now I knew I needed to cut him off for good because, even though he no longer meant anything to me, keeping him in my life could hurt Ethan.
“Good morning, El!” he said with a smile.
His hair was damp and loose, as if he’d just showered. He was also well-dressed, wearing a black leather jacket, as if he was heading out.
It didn’t take much to remember why I had once fallen for him. All I had to do was look at him: nearly six feet five, brown eyes, tanned skin, and a square jaw. And if all that weren’t enough, there was also the accent and his Italian charm.
But Todd wasn’t just handsome—he was caring and fun. His personality was utterly captivating, and he wasn’t bad in bed either.
*Well, maybe my standards had risen a bit after Ethan.*
Despite all that, the magic ended after he abandoned me.
After he didn’t choose me.
Even though I had suffered unimaginably, I could now understand that he simply wasn’t the right person for me.
Because, in the end, what we all deserve is someone who chooses us. That’s what I wanted back then. Someone who would choose me and fight for me.
But now, I was certain I had found that person. Someone who had chosen me and decided to fight for me, even if it meant facing his worst fears.
The least Ethan deserved after everything was for me to be mindful of his feelings. And if that meant changing apartments, I’d do it because he was the most important thing to me.
As for Todd, I’d never forget the good times we shared, but now, he was just my past, and he needed to stay in the past.
“Is something wrong?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
“No.” He frowned. “I just... came to say goodbye, so no need to be so hostile.”
Say goodbye? I relaxed slightly, letting my arms fall to my sides.
“Are you going on a trip?”
“First, I think I’m a bit late, but Merry Christmas, El.”
“Wait... Did you spend Christmas here? Alone?”
“Don’t worry, I had plenty of work to keep me busy.”
That almost made me feel sorry for him. No one deserved to spend Christmas alone, but his family was far away.
“So, you’re leaving?”
“Yes, I’m heading back home.”
He was leaving? I hadn’t expected that, but it would save me the trouble of moving.
“You mean for good?”
“Could you at least pretend you’re not happy about it?” he said, making us both laugh.
“Okay, I’m sorry.” I cleared my throat. “That’s a shame.” I made a sad face. “But, out of curiosity, are you just going for New Year’s, or are you planning to stay there?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure yet. I still have work here, but...”
“But?”
“You know, there was something else besides work keeping me here.”
He had to be joking.
“No, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I thought there might still be a chance.”
“If you’re talking about us, you had your chance a long time ago.”
“I know.”
“But despite everything, I hope you’re happy. And I know you’ll find someone great. How about trying an Italian this time?” I suggested playfully.
“It’ll be hard to top a certain American.”
“At least they won’t have to compete with your work in another country. I mean, I hope not.”
“El...”
“I’m just kidding. I hope you have a safe trip,” I said with a small smile.
“I’m going to miss you, El. Always.”
“I don’t think so.”
Something told me it wouldn’t take long for him to fall for someone else.
“I hope you can forgive me someday.”
“There’s nothing left to forgive. Just, be happy,” I said honestly.
“You too.”
He stared at me silently for a few seconds.
"Not even a goodbye hug?" he finally said.
“How about this?” I extended my hand.
He smiled before taking it and shaking it firmly.
“Goodbye, El.”
“Goodbye, Todd.”
✽
After finishing packing my bags and making a few calls to arrange for someone to cover for me at the lab, I drove back to Ethan’s apartment in the late afternoon.
He had messaged me earlier, letting me know he’d only managed to get tickets for the next day, probably due to the holiday rush.
When I arrived at his building, he was waiting for me in the parking lot.
“Okay, just to be sure—you did understand when I said we’re going on a trip to London, not moving there, right?” he teased as he opened my trunk.
“Don’t be an idiot.” I approached, stopping beside him. “And you know what? I don’t need your help.”
Grabbing me from behind, he spun us around and set me back down, kissing my shoulder.
“All you have to do is tell me one of these bags is full of lingerie, and I’ll be the most understanding man alive,” he whispered.
“Is sex all you ever think about?”
“Because of you, yes.”
“Pervert,” I said, laughing as I pretended to wriggle out of his grip.
“Two months,” he reminded me again, pulling me tighter against his body.
“Two months,” I repeated, letting my head fall back onto his shoulder, starting to feel something hard pressing against my ass. “You know, maybe one of them is,” I teased, looking into his eyes.
“Then I can’t wait to see you in each and every one of them,” he said, leaning in to kiss me as he cupped my face. “How about we start tonight?” he suggested, pulling back slightly.
“I think you’ll have to wait until we get to London.”
“Is this some kind of revenge?”
“Maybe, but I also just got a message from Anna, so I think we have plans tonight.”
“Let me guess... everyone’s going to be there?”
“Yes.”
"Great. Looks like I just traded a night with my girlfriend for a night with my brother. Do I get a say in this?”
“No, but if you behave, you’ll get an extra Christmas present at the end of the night.”
“Does that mean I won’t have to wait until we get to London?”
“Alright, I give up. You really are a pervert.” I broke free from his arms, turning to face him. “How about you stop using that dirty mind of yours for a bit and start using those muscles for something useful?” I teased before turning away, heading for the elevator.
"So, it’s nothing sex-related?" he asked from behind me.
I laughed, shaking my head.
“Did I say mind? I meant mouth. Stop talking, Morgan,” I said over my shoulder.
“I don’t recall you complaining when I use my dirty mouth for other things,” he retorted, making my smile widen.
✽
We were the last ones to arrive at Anna and Will’s apartment. As usual, the men settled on the couches in the living room, and Anna practically dragged me to the kitchen, eager to hear how things were going with Ethan. Zara and Zoe followed us.
In the kitchen, we gathered around the island.
“So?” Anna raised her eyebrows at me, stopping by my side.
Her belly was getting bigger every day.
“Zoe told us his parents loved you. That’s great, isn’t it?” Zara said, also curious.
“But I’m still the favorite,” Zoe teased with a grin as she filled our glasses with red wine.
“Maybe because they don’t know how you and Bennett have been making use of the bathrooms in that house,” I retorted, making her laugh even harder.
“Welcome to the family!” she said, raising her glass before leaning across the island.
“You two are hopeless,” Anna said to her, shaking her head. “But back to you and Ethan...”
“What do you want to know?” I shrugged.
“Did you guys manage to resolve that issue with your neighbor?”
“You won’t believe it. I haven’t told Ethan yet, but Todd knocked on my door today...”
“What’s wrong with that guy?” Zara asked, annoyed.
“Actually, he just wanted to say goodbye,” I said with a smile.
“Goodbye? He’s leaving?” Anna asked, confused.
I nodded.
“For good?”
“He didn’t seem sure, but I think so.”
“Oh, thank God! Finally!” She squeezed my shoulder, smiling. “You’re finally rid of that idiot.”
“Why haven’t you told Ethan yet? I mean, that’s great news, isn’t it?” Zara asked.
“I...”
Just then, Will entered the kitchen, followed by Ethan. He approached Anna, wrapping her in a hug from behind.
“What are you girls talking about?” he asked, kissing her shoulder.
“Girl stuff. What do you guys want?” she replied.
“Nothing. It just felt like the living room was missing a touch of femininity.”
“Okay, that’s enough of that,” Zoe said, rolling her eyes as she left the kitchen.
She already seemed tired of putting up with the two of them. Eventually, my eyes met Ethan’s when he stopped next to Zara, just before she also left the kitchen.
Ethan stared at me intently as he leaned over the opposite end of the island, resting his forearms on the surface, a glass of wine in one hand. Then, his gaze shifted to Anna and Will.
Will was stroking Anna’s belly while they both smiled. The sight stirred an odd feeling inside me.
“Let’s go,” Will said, guiding her to the living room and leaving us alone.
“He seems even more in love. How is that possible?” I asked, leaning over the island.
“Doesn’t seem like he was just complaining about not being able to drink a moment ago.”
His comment reminded me of the deal Anna had mentioned they made. She couldn’t drink because of the baby, so Will said he wouldn’t touch a drop of alcohol either.
I guess he wanted to support her somehow. But I doubted he’d stick with it for long.
“I almost forgot about that crazy agreement they made,” I said, laughing.
“You don’t think it’s fair?” he asked before straightening up and walking toward me.
“I do, I just don’t think most men would agree to it. But we’re talking about Will.”
“Oh? And what’s so special about Will?” he asked, stopping behind me and making me turn to face him.
His scent surrounded me, awakening my desire. He was irresistibly delicious.
“Do you really want to know? Because it’s a pretty long list,” I teased, admiring his brown eyes, which sparkled with a mix of amusement and desire.
“I’m sure I can do everything he does, and better,” he declared.
“I have my doubts.”
“Are you trying to provoke me?” he asked, holding my chin and narrowing his eyes at me.
“No. I’m being serious. Let’s see... where do I start? Will is handsome, smart, caring, knows how to cook, is a great husband, and now he’s going to be a great dad. Oh... and I haven’t even mentioned his physique. Sorry, but you can’t compete.”
“You can praise him all you want, but we both know whose name you moan when you come,” he said with a smirk, making my insides stir.
*Okay, you win this one, Mr. Morgan.*
“Touché,” I said with a smile, staring at his lips.
“If you don’t want me to get hard in front of our friends, stop teasing me,” he whispered. “Actually, I think it’s already too late.”
Automatically, my eyes drifted to the front of his pants, but he tilted my face back up before I could see anything.
“Now you’ll have to spend the night sitting on my lap.”
“And you think that’s going to help?”
“No. But it would be fun if we got rid of your panties,” he suggested, caressing the side of my thigh.
I slapped his hand away.
“That’s too perverted, even for you, Morgan,” I scolded, trying to hide a smile.
He grinned mischievously as I stepped away, heading to the living room.
When I stopped beside the couches where our friends were seated, Ethan wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me against him.
He wasn’t lying—there really was something hard pressing against my ass. Taking a few awkward steps, he led me to one of the couches and sat down with me on his lap.
I tried to suppress a smile.
“This is going to be fun,” he whispered in my ear.