Liz was tempted to say no so he would stay the night but she didn’t want to play games. “I’m fine. I just need a good night’s sleep. Logan and Gabe have been driving by so I’m not worried about anything happening. Plus, my dad helped me get a good alarm system and cameras for the building.”
“That’s a relief. No more heroics, young lady. Gabe is looking into some leads but you have to be on the alert,” he said firmly, releasing her reluctantly. His body was reacting to the way her body pressed against him and he didn’t want her to feel his arousal. He’d love to spend the night with Liz but it was too soon. He had a lot of ground to make up with her. “Promise me you will call me if you’re scared or if anything happens.”
“I promise,” Liz said, crossing her heart with her fingers, and smiled at him, feeling relieved she had the chance to get to know him. “Thanks for coming by, Ethan.”
Ethan didn’t want to leave without one kiss, so he grabbed Liz’s arms and pulled her into his body and kissed her tenderly. It wasn’t like the last feverish kiss they had shared. Ethan’s kiss was gentle and sweet and said, “I’m sorry.”
Liz was shocked for a moment. She hadn’t expected the kiss. Ethan explored her mouth slowly. His kiss teased and provoked her into passion. She groaned and leaned into him and put her hands around his waist, feeling the hard muscles beneath her fingers. She intertwined her tongue with his and moaned into his mouth. After a few minutes he released her suddenly and he had a big, cocky grin on his face. She was trembling in his arms.
Liz’s kisses packed a punch. Ethan knew he was headed home for a cold shower. It was worth it to have a small taste of Liz “See you soon.” He leaned his forehead on hers and smiled tenderly. “Good night, Liz. I’m a Snoopy fan myself, by the way.”
Liz looked down and realized she was still in her raggedy Snoopy T-shirt and giggled. “I guess my glamour-girl image is ruined?”
Ethan smiled, nodded, and kissed her forehead and said good-bye. Liz closed the door with a sappy smile on her face. Maybe, just maybe, luck was finally on her side.
Chapter 8
Liz was so busy over the next few days that she called Amy to come in and help her at the store. Amy was on Christmas break from school and was able to work extra hours. Stella came in for the final fitting for her bridesmaid dress.
“You look good, Liz,” Stella observed as she hung the dress back up on the hanger. The wedding was ten days away. Liz’s and Lacy’s dresses were ready, but due to Stella’s pregnancy they needed to make sure hers still fit.
“I am doing so much better. I have something to tell you, Stella.” Liz smiled happily. “Ethan White asked me out on a date and I said yes.”
Stella smiled at her. “You really like him, don’t you?”
Liz nodded yes. “We’ve both been so busy these last few days so I don’t know when we’re going, but I am so excited and I hope you don’t get mad at me.”
Stella looked puzzled but smiled. “Why would I be mad? I already have a husband.”
Liz laughed and explained. “I meant because you really wanted me to like Gary but I just don’t.”
Stella smiled. “Liz, you are my best friend- not Gary. I do think he is nice but if you don’t like him that’s okay, too. Lacy said you and Ethan—how did she put it? She said you two light each other’s fires.”
Liz’s cheeks turned pink. Was it that obvious to everyone that she had the hots for Deputy White? Oh God, that was embarrassing, and here she thought she was doing a good job of appearing calm, cool, and collected. “Well, he lights mine that’s for sure. Hopefully after our date he will feel the same about me.”
Stella hugged Liz. “I just want you to be happy, Liz, with whoever treats you right. I know how much you want a family of your own and I just want you to have it, too. If Gary isn’t the one, so be it. Don’t ever be afraid to tell me the truth. I’m a big girl, okay?”
Liz promised her and was touched that Stella knew her so well. Even if things didn’t work out with Ethan she was lucky to have two best friends like Lacy and Stella. They were the first two people to ever care so deeply for her.
Liz felt so happy that for once things were going her way. She missed Ethan. His aunt had a houseful of guests for the holidays, and between his shift at the sheriff’s station and being his aunt’s handyman at her bed-and-breakfast he hadn’t been able to stop by and see her or take her on that promised date. They talked on the phone every night though and she looked forward to their conversations. Sometimes they would talk for hours about everything from favorite foods to favorite memories and desires for the future. She was secretly pleased when Ethan expressed a desire to start a family one day. This was a nice way for them to talk and get to know one another even if it was old fashioned. She enjoyed listening to his deep, sexy voice. Liz knew if Ethan was next to her she’d spend her time trying to get him to kiss her and not talk to her.
Gary came in that evening right before she was ready to close. “I have some free time this evening. Let’s go have dinner in St. Claire and we can make plans for our Christmas together.”
“Gary, I have plans already. I am seeing someone.” Liz said politely knowing that Amy was listening. Amy knew Liz didn’t like Gary .
“With who?” Gary scowled and yelled. “I thought we settled this. You and I belong together!”
“We did settle it, Gary. I like this town and I am staying here. You will have to find someone else to help your business plan along,” Liz said angrily. What was wrong with Gary? She was starting to worry about his refusal to see she was not interested in helping him further his business plans. Was he mentally unstable or just a stubborn jerk?
Gary leaned angrily toward her, getting as close to her face as he could since the counter was between them. He had such a mean look on his usually calm face, and his cheeks were turning red from anger. Liz stepped back and she felt Amy grab her arm in fright. Gary was usually so calm and polite that this behavior was frightening and very unexpected.
“You are trying my patience, Elizabeth!” he yelled, his face contorting into an ugly mask of hatred. He took a look at her red roses sitting in a vase on the counter next to the register. Ethan had just sent them over that morning with a card that said, “I miss you.” Gary sneered. “With this guy? Who is he? He can’t be better than me.”
Liz lost her patience, the fear leaving and anger replacing it. She felt Amy walk away and sighed with relief. Amy didn’t need to witness this ugly scene. Liz leaned toward Gary. “I’ve tried being polite and nice, but obviously that doesn’t work with you. You want to use me for my money, Gary. You don’t even like me, so leave me alone. Is that clear enough for you?”
Gary didn’t say a word but he gave Liz a nasty look as if hated her at that moment. Then he grabbed her vase of roses and angrily threw them on the floor. Liz screamed and gasped in shock. Glass shattered into tiny little pieces and flew through the air and water splattered everywhere along with the poor roses. Liz instinctively threw her hands up in front of her face in case glass hit her. Gary looked like he wanted to hit Liz, so she clenched her fist and prepared to defend herself, but at the last second Gary pounded his fists so hard on her counter that it shook and walked away without saying another word. He slammed her door so hard she was afraid the glass would shatter. She could hear his tires squealing as he raced away.
Amy came running out of the back room crying. “That was awful, Liz. He gave me the creeps so I called Sheriff Clark.”