‘‘That’s not an answer, Ethan. I’m sorry to press you about it, but I think I deserve one.’’ It was hard, brutal, for her to ask, but the taste of him still lingered on her lips. ‘‘If you don’t think about me that way, and this was just temper pushing you to teach me a lesson, then you have to say so, straight out.’’

‘‘It was temper.’’

Accepting the fresh bruise to her heart, she nodded. ‘‘Well, then, it worked.’’

‘‘That doesn’t make it right. What I just did makes me too close to that bastard in the bar tonight.’’

‘‘I didn’t want him to touch me.’’ She drew in a long breath, held it, let it out slowly. But he didn’t speak. Didn’t speak, she thought, but moved back. He might not have shifted an inch, but he’d moved away from her in the way that counted most.

‘‘I’m grateful to you for being there tonight.’’ She started to rise, but he was on his feet ahead of her, offering a hand. She took it, determined not to embarrass either of them any further. ‘‘I was afraid, and I don’t know if I could have handled it on my own. You’re a good friend, Ethan, and I appreciate you wanting to help.’’

He slid his hands into his pockets, where they would be safe. ‘‘I talked to Dave about another car. He’s got a line on a couple decent used ones.’’

Since screaming would accomplish nothing, she had to laugh. ‘‘You don’t waste any time. All right, I’ll talk to him about it tomorrow.’’ She glanced toward the house where the front porch light gleamed. ‘‘Do you want to come in? I could put some ice on your knuckles.’’

‘‘He had a jaw like a pillow. They’re fine. You need to get to bed.’’

‘‘Yeah.’’ Alone, she thought, to toss and turn. And wish. ‘‘I’m going to come by on Saturday for a couple hours. Just to spruce things up before Cam and Anna get home.’’

‘‘That’d be nice. We’d appreciate it.’’

‘‘Well, good night.’’ She turned, walked across the grass toward the house.

He waited. He told himself he just wanted to see her safely inside before he left. But he knew it was a lie, that it was cowardice. He’d needed the distance before he could finish asnwering her question.

‘‘Grace?’’

She closed her eyes briefly. All she wanted now was to get inside, crawl into bed, and indulge in a good, long cry. She hadn’t let herself have a serious jag in years. But she turned back, made her lips curve. ‘‘Yes?’’