Just One Kiss: A Black Alcove Novel (The Black Alcove Series Book 1) by Jami Wagner

but to do what he says. Ethan
slips his hand in mine and gently pulls me from the truck.
    “Wait here.”
    This excited behavior completely baffles me,
so I try to sneak a peek at what he’s pulling from the back of his
truck. The tailgate slams shut and he looks over the bed with a
grin that practically makes me forget how to breathe.
    “You planned a picnic for lunch?”
    He laces his fingers with mine as we cross
the street. I’ve lived in this apartment for two years now. Not
once can I remember having lunch in the park. This memory with
Ethan will be one I never forget.
    “I planned a picnic in the
park for our first date .”
    We stop under a tree that provides shade but
also has enough sun peeking through the branches to keep us warm.
Ethan spreads out the blanket and takes a seat. One by one he takes
out sandwiches, bottled water, baked barbeque chips, and a bag of
cookies. Next he pulls out some plates.
    “Are you going to sit down or just watch
me?”
    A picnic might sound like a cheesy move, but
when you’re in the moment and a gorgeous guy is offering you a
turkey sandwich with a huge smile on his face that you know you put
there, it’s the sweetest moment in world, and I wouldn’t change a
thing.

Chapter Thirteen
    Ethan
    The next morning came fast, and as I listen
to my phone vibrating against the nightstand, I know I can’t avoid
my father any longer. It’s been a week and a half since my
successful picnic in the park. Every morning I go to Kelsey’s house
and make breakfast, I pick her up for lunch, and then we spend
almost every night working together. The only way things could get
better is if we had a night alone…and if my father would stop
calling. I’ve responded via text with things he wants to hear, but
I have to answer his calls eventually. I’m avoiding him while I
figure out what to say. Texting is much easier.
    “I haven’t found the numbers you need,” I
answer in a tone that sounds similar to his everyday one. Cut right
to the chase. I don’t care what he has to say anyway. I’ll say
whatever it takes to keep my brothers away from Wind Valley.
    “So, you do know how to answer a phone,” he
says. He doesn’t sound concerned, only annoyed. “Your brother is
packing a bag and leaving today. You can expect him tonight. When
he arrives, you can come home. I have different plans for you, ones
that don’t require so much responsibility.”
    Fuck.
    “That won’t be necessary. I’ve got
everything under control here. My lack of response to your phone
calls has been due to nothing but hard work to find what you
want.”
    Complete silence except for my father’s
heavy breathing fills the phone line. I imagine he’s standing in
his study in a black suit. He has one hand in his pocket while the
other holds a finger just above the end call button for the phone
sitting on the corner of his desk. He’ll take his hand from his
pocket and drill his fingers against his desk, glancing up to the
fireplace and back to his fingers three times before he makes up
his mind. I’ve seen him do this more times than I can count. It’s
the moment he’s debating whether he’s hearing the truth.
    “If you haven’t found what I need, then you
haven’t been working hard enough. You do realize, son, that I can
send one of your brothers there to watch over you without taking
your spot. Someone to keep you in line while you are there. We
don’t know exactly how long Sara will be away, so you need to act
fast, and mistakes are something I can’t have you making.”
    “Yes, sir, I understand you could do that.
But my sudden appearance after all these years has already raised
some suspicion. I think it’s best to hold off on sending anyone
else. Drawing attention isn’t what you need right now.”
    At this point everything I’ve said is100
percent bullshit. I know Sara wants to ask more, but she doesn’t.
She has always been a big believer in family and she sees nothing
but the best in me. If