Read Online Unforgettable by Shanna Vollentine - Free Book Online Page B

happened?” He took hold of me and gathered me to him as he looked around.
      “Nothing,” I responded, ashamed of myself for giving in to such a childish desire. “I was just frustrated.” He released me slowly, but not before I felt his heart pounding. I felt bad for scaring him and for forgetting I wasn’t alone. Lucy was standing up on the couch looking around in confusion. I felt even worse.
      “You scared the shit out of me, Juliet.” He ran a hand through his already disheveled looking hair.
      “Sorry,” I whispered. I seemed to be feeling that a lot today. We stood there for what seemed like a long time, but really was only a few seconds. I was happy to hear the timer on the stove start beeping.
      “I need to get that.” I made my way around him, leaving him standing beside the couch. He looked lost too. At least it wasn’t just me feeling this way. I turned off the burner and looked around. On closer inspection I could see that there were some changes in here as well. There were orange and brown woven placemats on the table and some kind of ceramic napkin rings holding real napkins. I was used to paper napkins, it was less of a bother and I’m a busy woman. But, the look worked, it was warm and inviting. I approved.
      The doorbell chimes jolted me out of my thoughts. Yay! Carrie was here and I don’t think I’d ever been happier to see her.

Chapter Seven

      My smile was one of happiness as well as relief. I could count on her to tell me the real deal on things. Not that Ethan wouldn’t, just that I didn’t really want to ask him everything. There were some things better left with girls. I made my way out to the living room as Ethan was opening the door. My smile got wider as I saw Nigel’s blond head behind Carrie.
      “Carrie, Nigel, I’m so glad you’re here.” They couldn’t possibly know how glad I was right then. I was still feeling foolish about screaming a minute ago. Just thinking about that made me cringe. Great, now I was blushing, too.   I met them in the middle of the room as Ethan took their jackets. Just like he lived here. I reached out and gave Carrie a hug and then Nigel pulled me in for another.
      “You doing okay, dear?” he asked me in his British accent. Carrie had met Nigel our senior year while he was here on a student visa. They fell in love and he never went back.
      “I’m all right. A little freaked out, though.” I shrugged as I stepped back and motioned them to come in farther. “Are you hungry? I just finished the rice. We can eat anytime.”
      “I can smell my favorite enchiladas, Juliet. You know I’m ready.” Nigel put me at ease immediately. I was glad he had come along and I was also glad I had made the enchiladas. Suddenly I felt that maybe everything was going to be okay. I took a deep breath as Ethan turned back from the coat closet. I met his eyes and he sent me a smile. A real one. Not one like he’s just humoring the weirdo who screams out loud for no reason. I felt warm inside.
      “Let’s eat, I haven’t had anything since lunch yesterday,” Ethan said this as we walked into the kitchen, and I felt a tug on my heart. Even I had eaten and I was the one who was in the hospital.
      We all busied ourselves with various tasks. Carrie got drinks for everyone while Ethan and Nigel set the table. I pulled out a bowl and poured the rice into it just as Ethan came over and grabbed the pan. I picked up the bowl with my free hand and followed Ethan to the table. Once everyone was seated we started serving ourselves. I was glad they were here. It just felt like a family. Not like my family, which consisted of only Gloria since my father had ditched her before I was born, but a close, normal family that actually liked to be around each other.
      “So Juliet, any breakthroughs since you’ve been home?” Nigel asked.
      “Uh no, nothing.” I was embarrassed to admit to no improvement.
      “She’s only been home for a few