Perfect Bastard (by Mary D. Sant) novel Chapter 103

Chapter 103: After the Storm

Two Months Later

ELLIE

I was nervous. It was the first time in a long while that I had agreed

to go out for dinner with my friends, fully aware that Ethan would be

there. I hadn’t seen him in nearly two months.

In the first week after I left the hospital, he had insisted on staying

around to take care of me, but I didn’t let him. I knew that putting

some distance between us was the best thing for both of us.

Still, he found ways to be present, even from afar. Every day, he sent

me flowers with cards that alternated between wishing me well,

saying he missed me, and asking for forgiveness.

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Then came the updates about therapy. I still remember his first

message and how it made me laugh when he described feeling like he

was in a confessional.

Since then, he had made it a habit to message me after his sessions. I think he felt the need to share how it was affecting him and how he

was feeling.

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Chapter 103: After the Storm

He seemed to be doing well, especially for someone who had always

avoided therapy. He appeared more open, but I couldn’t be sure or

know any real details because we had only been talking through texts.

Then, two weeks ago, those texts simply stopped.

I think that was the real reason I was so nervous tonight. He had

stopped messaging me–about therapy or anything else–and I was

scared of what that might mean.

I was afraid he had given up and decided he didn’t want me anymore.

If that were true, it would be my fault for pushing him away. But it

would also mean that nothing between us had been real.

I still wasn’t sure if coming tonight was a good idea. The fear and uncertainty weighed heavily on my chest. Not to mention how much I

missed him.

“Are you okay?” Anna asked. She was sitting to my left at the table,

while Zoe and Zara seemed absorbed in their own conversation.

We were waiting for the guys at the restaurant.

“Yes,” I said, trying to mask my nervousness.

“It’s going to be fine,” she said with a reassuring smile.

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I glanced at her slightly rounded belly beneath her dress. At that

moment, the restaurant door opened, and the four men walked in.

Jack was leading the way, with Bennett right behind him, both

dressed in dark suits with unparalleled elegance. Ethan and Will

followed, laughing casually as they walked side by side.

Neither of them wore jackets, just white dress shirts. Will had his

black tie loosened, while Ethan had only the top button undone and

his sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

He looked happy, relaxed, healthy, and more handsome than ever.

Meanwhile, I was a bundle of nerves.

Oh, God. Maybe my suspicions were right. Perhaps he didn’t miss me

or had decided to just move on without me.

When his attention finally shifted to our table and his eyes met mine,

I saw the surprise in them. He hadn’t known I would be here.

Was he bothered by it, or did he simply not care anymore? I would

give anything to know what he was thinking.

I swallowed hard, straightening my posture as the four men stopped

around the table. Ethan was still staring at me, standing at the far

end, while the other three greeted their wives.

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Chapter 103: After the Storm

His hair was that sexy kind of messy it got after a long day at work,

but his face didn’t look tired. On the contrary, he looked vibrant, and

it seemed he had shaved earlier in the day.

His brown eyes had that seductive gleam, as if they could see straight

into my soul. I quickly looked away, suddenly feeling a little

uncomfortable.

Come on, Ellie. It’s not like you two have never been naked in front of

each other. Damn it. This is a terrible time to think about him naked.

I took a deep breath, trying to banish the image from my mind. But it

was too late. Something stirred inside me, a reminder of how much I

missed him.

The conversation around the table flowed through the night, shifting

between work, kids, and holiday plans. It was only then that I realized

Christmas was just two days away.

I had been so preoccupied with trying to figure out why Ethan had

gone silent that I hadn’t planned anything.

I guess I’d go to Santa Barbara to spend the holiday with my parents,

like I always did. It didn’t require much planning–just packing a bag

and catching a flight.

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Chapter 103: After the Storm

I could still feel his gaze on me throughout the evening. That was

strange, considering he hadn’t even greeted me when he arrived.

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