Lovestrung: A friends to lovers romance

by Karen Ferry

  “The first thing I’m going to do when I arrive in Rome is to find the best trattoria I can find and order the biggest pasta dish on the menu.” I looked back at her and smiled.

  She burst out laughing, and I joined in soon after.

  “Good,” she giggled, “and now that the hard part of our conversation is all over and done with, I need details.”

  Confused, I shrugged while she rubbed her hands in glee.

  “You’ve lost me.”

  “Ethan!” she squealed. “I need to know what happened when he turned up last night.”

  “I already told you.” I put my arm on the table and rested my head on the palm of my hand. “Nothing really happened, except we decided to start over.”

  She rolled her eyes in disbelief.

  “Oh, come on. He stayed the night. There has to have happened something.”

  “Honestly, there didn’t.”

  The disappointment on her face almost matched mine.

  “Bummer,” she sighed. “But wait, you never did tell me exactly what happened five years ago.”

  I cringed at the memory.

  “There’s not much to tell,” I mused and looked out the window. “Max held a party on his twenty-first birthday, I got drunk – first and only time that’s happened – and Ethan and I danced. I tried to kiss him, he told me I was like a sister to him, and that was that.”

  “Ouch.” Ella grimaced. “Really, that’s all?”

  I blinked at her. “That’s all? Ella, I was mortified! Still am to this day.”

  That earned me another eye-roll.

  “Look, I get it, you were eighteen, you’d had a crush on him for years, and it must’ve hurt when he turned you away. But it’s been five years, Pippa. You’re both older, wiser –”

  “Well, he seems to be,” I muttered, annoyed and still a little embarrassed about the epiphany I’d just had.

  “And has it ever occurred to you,” Ella kept talking all over me, “that the reason you haven’t seen him the past year is because he’s starting to see you as more than a sister?”

  “No,” I scoffed.

  “Why not?”

  “Because he said it himself, Ella.” I rubbed my eyes, suddenly exhausted all over again.

  “What?” she asked.

  I lowered my voice, not wanting anyone to eavesdrop on us. Though given the way people around me gave us the side eyes, that wish was probably a lost cause.

  “He told me last night that he couldn’t tell me why he’d stayed away, only that it had nothing to do with my stupid attempt at seducing him.”

  She looked crestfallen as I beat her theory to shambles.

  “Aww, damn it. I thought I had him all figured out.”

  I shuffled my feet.

  “Ethan is good at hiding his true feelings. He always has been.”

  She took another sip of her coffee and wrinkled her nose.

  “Even when you were children?”

  I nodded. “Yep. I spoke with my mom about it once or twice, and a lot of foster children maintain a wall of sorts for many years. It’s a defense mechanism.”

  Her eyes turned confused once more.

  “Even when they’ve left the toxic environment they’ve escaped?”

  “Yeah. It’s sad, but with Ethan, I discovered early on that not asking questions and waiting for him to tell me things of his own will instead was much more successful.” I shrugged. “I think I’ll just have to wait him out again. And who knows? Now that he’s back in my life, he might end up surprising me.”

  “Ugh, I hate cryptic guys,” Ella huffed. “All that Look at me, I’m all broody and mysterious is starting to piss me off.”

  I chuckled. “Sadly, I don’t think that part of the male psyche is going to change any time soon.”

  She raised her eyebrows at me. “Well, shit. Looks like I’ll have to up my game a little.”

  “Oooh, I’m intrigued now.” I leaned closer toward her. “Who’s got your panties in such a twist?”

  She looked down and I gasped lightly when I noticed the blush in her cheeks. Ella had been single for the past year since she split up with the low life, cheating bastard, Eric. Seeing her all flustered and shy – two things she definitely wasn’t – made me ecstatic.

  “Oh, my gosh! You like someone! Who is he, and why haven’t you told me about him already?”

  She giggled. “Because I wanted to wait to say anything until I knew he was as into me as I am into him.”

  Quickly, I moved our empty coffee cups and plates to the table behind me and moved to sit next to her. The soft, burgundy colored armchair was perfect to sink into.

  “Spill the beans, Ella.”

  I spent the next half hour listening to her talking about her new boyfriend, Luke, making sure to give her my full attention. For all I knew, this would be the last time in a while we both had time to meet like this, and I didn’t want to waste a single minute of it.

  If there was one thing I knew I’d miss during my travels, it was this – meeting up with a close friend to talk about all or nothing.

  “So, we’ve been out on four dates so far, and I think I’m starting to fall for him.”

  “Aww,” I sighed. “That is wonderful, Ella. It really is. You’ll have to keep me updated in your emails, so I know how things go between you.” I gave her a hug. “Promise me?”

  “Of course,” she sniffled. “I’m going to miss you so much, Pip.” Her eyes shimmered with tears, almost setting me off as well.

  I swallowed the big lump in my throat. “I’ll miss you, too.”

  Goodbyes sucked major, hairy donkey balls.

  I stared down at my phone from my seat at the kitchen island. I’d been looking at it for the past five minutes and still hadn’t made up my mind if I should answer Ethan’s latest text.

  It’s not what it said that had me undecided.

  It’s that it came as quite a surprise, and I didn’t know what to make of it.

  Ethan: I’m sorry.

  That’s all, but coming from Ethan, it was a big thing.

  I couldn’t remember the last time he’d actually said those words to me. Apologizing with words wasn’t his thing – or at least it hadn’t been up until now – but now he’d said them twice within a span of twelve hours.

  Not letting myself think too much about it, I swiped the screen and called him.

  I believed in both words and action.

  “Pippa?” he answered, sounding confused.

  “You’ve changed,” I said, my voice low.

  “Pardon me?”

  “I can’t decide if it’s for the better,” I continued, “but despite the manner of which you insulted me this morning, you were right. Gramps was right. Even my friend, Ella, was right.”

  “Who’s Ella?”

  “The person I upped from good friend to best friend when you disappeared a year ago, Ethan.”

  “Ouch,” he mumbled. “I guess I deserved that jab.”

  “Yeah,” I whispered. “You did. But, luckily for you, I’ve never believed in holding grudges, and I won’t start now.”

  I waited for him to say anything, but all I got was his quiet breathing. Looking down at my notepad, I waited him out.

  Finally, he cleared his throat and changed the subject.

  “Have you found a live-in nurse or caretaker for Frederik yet?”

  I rubbed my eyes and looked down at the agency I’d been referred to by the city council.

  “Not yet. I’ve been interviewing people for the past couple of months, but I haven’t found a good fit yet.”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s just…” I got up to pour myself another cup of coffee. “I just haven’t.”

  His voice softened.

  “You’re worried about him.”

  “Well, yes,” I admitted. “He’s my grandfather, after all.” I grabbed my mug and shuffled back to the island. My gaze zeroed in on one name that I’d circled in gold. “But…”

>   “But what?”

  “I have one candidate that I’ve interviewed before who might be a good fit. At least she seemed genuinely interested in the job instead of the others.”

  “Why aren’t your mom and dad handling this?”

  I steeled my spine.

  “Because I’m the one who’s lived with him for the past two years, and they don’t have time to do it. Nor do I think it’s fair, since I’m the one who’s leaving him.”

  “Fair enough. Remember what your dad always taught us? Follow you gut, Penelope.”

  “Pippa,” I grumbled.

  He sighed.

  “Man, you are stubborn. But, aside that, go with your instincts. They’re good ones. I have to go, but let me know how it goes.”

  “I’m not stubborn,” I groused but I was talking to dead air. Frustrated, I rolled my eyes but then picked up my notepad.

  Louisa Paulson.

  “Damn you, Ethan.”

  Then I called Louisa to set up another interview for the next day.

  Louisa Paulson was fifty-four years old, single, and had been a live-in nurse for quite a few elderly people during her professional life. She had two children – both lived out of state – but since she didn’t see them much, she was fine with living in the home of her patients.

  When I met her the first time, I’d immediately felt at ease in her company and enjoyed our conversation, but I didn’t want to jump any guns and go with the first candidate just because I’d had a good feeling about her.

  But maybe I’d been wrong.

  “Thank you for coming again,” I smiled at her as we sat down in the living room.

  Her smile was just as friendly as the last time I’d met her. Her salt-and-pepper pixie cut suited her, and I liked that she didn’t hide behind thick layers of makeup, but instead kept it subtle, enhancing her natural beauty.

  “I’m glad you called me. Is your grandfather joining us again?”

  I nodded and poured her some coffee.

  “Yes, but I wanted to talk with you alone first.” I shrugged. “I hope you’re all right with that?”

  Her blue eyes turned compassionate.

  “Of course. I understand how important it is for you to feel safe with me first. You know…” She hesitated, but then soldiered on. “It’s not easy to hire a virtual stranger to take care of your loved ones. Actually, I might’ve hesitated if you’d hired me on the spot when we first met.”

  I liked this woman more for being honest with me.

  “I have to admit that it’s not easy for me, but Gramps needs help. He’s pretty self-sufficient, despite the ailing of his body, but as long as he’s well enough to live in his own home, none of us want him to go to a nursing home.”

  “Not that it’s my place to say anything, but I agree. I’ve found that the longer an elderly can remain in their own home, the better. Their quality of life is better for it.”

  “I’ve done a lot of research on the subject,” I motioned to the pile of papers and books on the low table between us. “I’m good at that.”

  Louisa laughed and nodded.

  “Do you mind if we go through the contract once more?” I asked her. “Just to make sure we’re both agreed on the terms. If you have any questions we haven’t covered already, feel free to interrupt me.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  We spent the next fifteen minutes going through the papers that my dad’s lawyer, Arnold, had drawn up and emailed me earlier this morning. It was pretty straightforward, but as tight as a fist, meaning that there were absolutely no loop holes.

  “I think that’s it,” I leaned forward to give her a copy of the contract. “If you have as good a feeling as I do, I’d love to offer you the job, Miss Paulson.”

  We stood up and she reached out her hand.

  “Please call me Louisa, and yes, I’d love the job. Thank you.”

  It felt as if a big weight had fallen off my shoulders.

  “I’m really glad you want it.” I nibbled on my lips. “Gramps was ready to hire you weeks ago,” I confessed.

  Louisa blinked and then chuckled.

  “Good to know. Should I go say hello to him, or…?”

  I shook my head. “I’ll tell him we’re finished and then I thought we could have lunch together?”

  “Oh, that would be lovely.”

  She rolled up the sleeves of her simple, black shirt. “Why don’t I take a look at the kitchen, make myself acquainted with it?”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  As I left her to it, I went in search of Gramps. With each step, I felt more at ease with my decision, confident that he was in the best capable hands as he could get.

  Before I knocked on the door to his study, I pulled out my phone and sent Ethan a text.

  Me: I took your advice, and I listened to my instincts. You were right Thank you.

  6

  The Last Goodbye

  Three days until I left for Rome.

  The month had gone by so fast, I could hardly believe it.

  Everything was ready, but I wasn’t entirely sure if I was. All the time and planning that had gone into this adventure had finally caught up with me, and now, this was it. The moment when I spread my wings. I didn’t know if I’d come back a changed woman – that sounded rather melodramatic to me – but I was absolutely sure that I’d have the time of my life.

  I was putting the final touches on my makeup when the doorbell rang. Mama and Dad wanted to throw a farewell party for me, and since Gramps couldn’t drive and I’d sold my Mini Cooper a few days ago, hosting it here seemed like the best choice.

  “Pippa, your parents are here!” Louisa yelled from below the stairs.

  I flicked a stray lock of hair back in my ponytail and grabbed a pin to keep it together.

  “Coming!” I shouted back.

  Louisa had started to build a home for herself the past month, and I was beyond grateful that we’d hired her. She had taken up one of the guest rooms next to Gramps so she was close by if he should need her at night, and she’d been dropping by a few hours every day. Those had been a godsend, given me the time I needed the past few weeks to get my last preparations sorted. She was wonderful, plain and simple.

  I hopped on one foot, then the other, toward the bedroom door, trying to get my shoes on, but just as Ethan entered my room, I tripped on the carpet.

  I shrieked as I prepared to face plant right in front of him, but lucky for me, he had great reflexes. His eyes widened as he jumped closer, grabbing my arms and pulling me into his embrace to break my fall.

  “Ooof,” I huffed against his chest, accidentally taking a long sniff of his scent and ready to swoon at his feet.

  “Please tell me you’re not planning on bringing any of those death traps with you?” he breathed against my temple.

  “That would be true, I’m not.”

  “Good.”

  “I’ll be buying several of them and then ship them home instead,” I chuckled.

  The exasperated sigh that came from his mouth teased my skin, sending shivers down my spine, but before I did something very foolish like melt into his arms or – heaven forbid – took another long sniff of his shirt, I lifted my head and met his eyes.

  The amusement mixed with frustration I saw in them was a surprisingly good look on him. One I wanted to imprint on my memory and pull up whenever I wanted to the next year.

  “What?” I teased him. “I’m a woman, and the Italians, especially, know everything there is to know about fashion. Point me in the direction of a store that sells shoes, and I’ll be there in a flash.”

  “I see.”

  He took a step back and I eased out of his embrace. Gosh, he looked good – black T-shirt stretched across his muscled chest, black jeans and brown boots.

  Damn it. He looked even better since the last time I saw him, but I raised my head and hoped he couldn’t see the effect he had on me reflected in my eyes. But he didn’t meet my gaze. Instead, I found h
im trailing his eyes down my body, and I put my hands on my hips, feeling self-conscious all of a sudden.

  “You look good.” He smiled at me. “Got some more meat on your bones since the last time I saw you.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Gee, what a way to make a woman feel special, talking about her weight. Smooth, Ethan. Real smooth.”

  He frowned at me.

  “You know that’s not what I meant.”

  I grimaced.

  “Yeah, I do. I’m sorry.” I looked down at my feet. “Guess I’m still a little embarrassed everybody else but me could see I was headed in an unhealthy direction.”

  I felt more than heard him move closer, but when he placed a hand on my cheek, my heartbeat skipped a beat.

  “Hey.” He pushed at my chin and I raised my head. He leaned down until we were so close, I was having a hard time breathing at his proximity. “I’m glad you listened. You look beautiful, Penelope.”

  For once, his slip didn’t matter. All I kept hearing was that he thought I was beautiful.

  Ethan thinks I’m beautiful.

  His eyes darkened to that incandescent, deep blue that I’d only seen once before, and I felt a simmering in my body when he kept staring into my eyes.

  Kiss me. Please, just this once.

  As if he could read the desire in my eyes, his flickered down to my mouth. Instinctively, I wet my lips, but then the moment was gone as quickly as it started. He gritted his teeth and removed his hand so fast, he looked as he’d been zinged by fire.

  It could be true. My whole body felt as if it had erupted into flames.

  “We should probably head downstairs to the others.”

  I nodded.

  “You go ahead. I just need to grab some perfume,” I lied, stalling for time.

  He stepped backward, his eyes lingering on my legs for a beat before he raised his head.

  “See you.”

  As soon as he’d left me alone, I gulped and pressed my palms flat on my cheeks.

  “Shit,” I whispered.

  The fact that I hadn’t seen him since he came for dinner that night hadn’t been able to still the butterflies that flared in my tummy whenever I saw him. I hadn’t given myself permission to think too much about him the last few of weeks, but five minutes alone in his company, and I was back to becoming a lovestrung fool just like always.