Chapter 19

Keira

Finally moving to stand up, squeeze past Ethan to head to the booth. Chris’s time is almost done, but I know he’ll keep it moving until I’m ready.

As I slip past Ethan, a hand grips around my wrist stopping me effectively. “Hey, Keira, we’re okay, right?”

“Huh?”

Ethan lets go of my wrist like he’d been burned. It’s like he’s only realizing now what he did. With the same hand, he scratches the back of his head, sitting awkwardly as I stare curiously at him.

“Just— I’m sorry about the other day, I was a dick to you when you were just protecting yourself,” he says, as his eyes dart from mine to the wall, then back to mine. I think it’s cute how he couldn’t hold eye contact. “I didn’t realize exactly how dangerous this deal is for you.”

Though a little irritated at how he used my real name, I’m too surprised to care. I know I’ve thought of it, but I didn’t think that he’d actually spent time to ponder on his actions toward me. Is that why he was aloof these past few days?

“Um, wow.