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It’s one more reason I should keep my distance from Ethan One ht

But then I think of that green ribbon, the exact shade of eous, perfect seashell And know that,likeso simple--or so beautiful He would have sent so for it Then gotten angry when I didn’t want to play along

Though I was young, only fifteen, I’ve never feltthat bastard--and in the ht off again It took et past it all and I never, ever want to feel that way again

Ethan doesn’t say anything else on our walk hooing for a while, but I guess she eventually gets tired of talking to herself because she turns quiet, too Which just givesto happen e get to our apartment

Should I invite Ethan in? Do I even want to invite hio to bed, butout to givingThat should count for so A cup of coffee, maybe Or some strawberry tea

It probably even counts for a kiss Which is fine withhi honest It’s just the expectation I don’t like Again, that sense of bartering Of having to do so for me And if that’s the case, I’d at least like a vote in what happens In what I’avethings I don’t want to--simply because he askedlike what Chad demanded of me, but could it be? If I let it?

By the time alk into our apartment complex, I’m a nervous wreck All mixed up and freaked out and unsure of what to say or how to say it And e get to our aparth the door with a thank-you and a wave,at Ethan with no idea of what I’m supposed to do Damn it Maybe I should have dated more these last couple of years Then at least I wouldn’t feel so out of my depth

"Do you--" My voice breaks, so I start again "Do you want to coainst the wall and just studies me for a moment, those crazy eyes of his the saureonly freaks me out more, makes me more wary and confused and defensive

Eventually Ethan shakes his head, and I feel an overwhel sense of disappointment Which makes no sense but is true nonetheless

"Oh, uuess--"

I break off as he rests a light hand on entle, too Tentative Not nervous, like I a ht

I wait for hi, but he doesn’t Instead, he just stands there, watchingfor soive it to him and da as I can, but eventually the silence gets to be toothat co my sand castle for me" I sound aard, and a little breathless from whereout there So between us besides tension so thick I could scoop it onto an ice- crea dinner withyou You bought most of it"

"It’s not about the money, Chloe"

Spoken like someone who has always hadthat he doesn’t remember what it is not to have it Because when you don’t have ether, it’s always about the o

I don’t say that, though Instead I ask, "What’s it about, then?" because I really want to know I’ Once I know theain And I’ll have

His fingers are still stroking e to turn me on and relax me all at the same time

"You It’s all about you"

He leans doard , breath-stealing, resolve-shattering kisses But it never comes Instead, he cups my face between his palms and skims his lips across my forehead Soft, sweet, and oh-so-seductive in its oay

Then he’s pulling back, s one of my crazy curls behind my ear "I’ll pick you up at seven toh he didn’t actually kiss h to call after him "Wait! What should I wear?"

He turns back around, spreads his ares to be both warood"