Read Online Rumor Has It by Leela Lou Dahlin - Free Book Online

to maim when Ethan got up to ask Raina if he could get her something from the bar.
    “I’ll take a lemon-lime soda, if they have it.”
    “If they don’t, I’ll find it.”
    Liam thought he’d be sick. He was always amused by how Ethan could charm the ladies so quickly, but he wasn’t amused now.
    He watched her get her information set up, enjoying seeing her in her element. He’d seen her in her professional clothes, but he’d never observed her at work.
    “All right, everyone, thanks so much for coming together on such short notice,” she said, clearly ready to get the show on the road.
    Ethan was back. He’d placed her glass in front of her and sat down next to her like he belonged there. The rest of the meeting passed in a blur while Sue, the woman who’d come to volunteer from Firehouse 4, kept turning to him to smile and make small remarks.
    He would get a rundown of what was said later because his wires seemed to be crossed. Annoyance with Sue, anger with Ethan, and lust for Raina were creating a mix of thoughts and emotions— wait . He didn’t do emotions. With Ethan hanging all over Raina and Sue and her ceaseless remarks, he just wanted to get out of there and take Raina with him.
    It was a few minutes before he realized the meeting was over and everyone was dispersing. He should have gotten more sleep. He was exhausted.
    Liam moved over to where Ethan and Raina were standing by the door.
    “Hey, I’m going to walk Raina to her car,” Ethan said, looking happy and pleased with himself. It had been a quiet night at the station, and the younger man must have taken advantage of the time, as he looked well rested.
    “Don’t worry about it. I needed to talk to her anyway.”
    “Dude, you should probably wait for another day. You look beat.”
    Raina stepped in to stop the pissing match. She was a smart woman, and she looked like she wasn’t in the mood for it. “Ethan, let me know if you need some help getting the trinkets over to the engraver.” She turned to Liam. “Are you ready?”
    Liam nodded to Ethan in his usual way and took most of the materials out of her hand to help her to the car.
    “I’ll follow you home,” he said as she opened her door.
    “What?” She sat down and looked at him with an expression so puzzled he wanted to kiss her. She was trying hard to keep it the same between them. What was up with him? He knew what it was. He wasn’t quite ready for it to end.
    She closed her door and opened her window. “Did you have something you wanted to say to me? We could talk right here.”
    “I just want to make sure you get home safely.”
    “I’ll be fine. I promise.”
    “Humor me.”
    When they reached her house, he followed her in and sat on her couch like their weekly visits. She was agitated; he could tell by the way she was fidgeting. He should go home.
    “Let’s do something crazy,” she said out of nowhere.
    “Like what?” He really just wanted to spend a little time with her. He talked to her every so often and saw her at least once a week, but for some reason, he was missing her almost as soon as he was out of her presence. He thought maybe he could gorge on her and have his fill. The problem was, every time he was with her seemed to make him need—no, want —more of her, and more frequently.
    “I don’t know. I just want to do something wild and exciting.”
    “I like just sitting here spending time with you. I brought that independent critic choice film Crossed Buns . I’ve been keeping it in my car for a night like this. Let’s watch that.”
    She didn’t look as excited about that as he thought she would. “Is it that you don’t see me as exciting? Is that why when you get here, you want to watch a movie or read? I bet you don’t go to other women’s houses and just watch TV.”
    “Oh, that’s what this is about.”
    “Never mind. I’ll get the wine.” She started to get up, and he tugged her back down on his lap.
    “Wait…so plain