The kiss was brief, but as far as he was concerned, it said everything he couldn’t express in words after the moment they’d just shared. Somehow, someway, he was going to step up his game and undo the damage he’d done by telling her he didn’t want a relationship and asking her to stay in the shadows.

Today was the beginning. Not just of the life they’d created but the one Ethan was determined to have with this woman by his side.

Whether she knew it… or not.

* * *

Ethan appeared to be a man on a mission. He was in Sienna’s space twenty-four seven, not just working, although plenty of that was accomplished, but he was making himself indispensable to her, bringing her breakfast, taking her to lunch, showing up to drive her to and from work. He was always around. The worst part for Sienna was how much she was coming to enjoy his company and this new, happy Ethan Knight. She even found herself glancing at her clock, anticipating his appearance with lunch in hand.

She’d done just that when her phone rang and she saw her mother’s number on the screen. “Hi, Mom,” she said as she answered.

“Hi, honey. I know you’re at work and I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important, but can you come over? Now?” Her voice hitched and Sienna’s heart clenched in her chest.

“Of course. Mom, what’s wrong?” But even as Sienna asked, she was rising from her seat and grabbing her purse and keys.

“I’ll talk to you when you get here. Drive safe.”

She walked quickly out of the office, bumping into Ethan as she rounded the corner to the front doors. “Whoa,” he said, grasping her shoulders. “Where’s the fire?”

“Family emergency. I have to get to my mother’s.” She’d known something was wrong for a while now. Part of her hadn’t wanted to ask for fear of what she’d learn and another didn’t want to pry.

“I’ll take you,” he said, grasping her arm and turning around to head back out along with her.

She shook her head. “I’m fine. Honestly, I can drive myself.”

“But you don’t have to.”

She sighed. “What’s in the bag?” She gestured to the sack in his hand.

“Chicken sandwiches and French fries.”

“Then you can drive and I’ll eat the food,” she muttered, no longer embarrassed to chow down in front of him. She was always hungry and he knew it.

He shook his head and laughed. “Fine. Let’s go. You can direct me.”

Once they were on their way, Sienna glanced at Ethan, taken aback anew by his easy demeanor and the changes in him. They’d started on his return to Florida after his weekend in New York and had only blossomed the more time they spent together, the doctor’s appointment seemingly shattering the rest of his walls. Too bad hers weren’t ready to come down yet, though she had to admit it wasn’t easy to keep her distance.