Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 146

Chapter 146

“Thank you, I whispered.

He suddenly turned his head.

Too last.

His cheek brushed mine.

Heat fooded my face.

1 jerked backward, heart hammering.

Oh my God.

From the kitchen, Mom was beaming-hands pressed to her chest like she’d just witnessed a goddamn proposal.

“I’m so sorry.” Ethan’s voice cracked slightly. “I didn’t mean-I wasn’t trying to-

M

“It’s fine.” I forced a laugh, waving him off. “Totally fine. Just… startled me.”

He looks genuinely mortified. Like he really didn’t mean for that to happen.

I grabbed the toolkit. Tll help you clean up.”

“You don’t have to-

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“I’m already holding the screwdriver. I shoved it toward him. Just take it.”

He did.

Our fingers touched again.

God, this is awkward.

“Wrench,” he said, pointing.

I handed it over.

He leaned past me to set it in the box.

His arm grazed my waist.

“Sorry,” he murmured, and I could hear the genuine apology in his voice.

He really is trying to be careful It’s just… close quarters.

3:09 pm

MA

Chapter 146.

I grabbed the hammer.

He reached for it at the same time.

Our hands collided.

‘My bad.” He gave me a sheepish look. “This is like some kind of comedy routine.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “We’re not very good at this whole coordination thing.”

“Apparently not.”

By the time we finished, the toolkit was packed, the house was quieter, and Mom had retreated to her room to “rest.”

Ethan stood by the door, car keys in hand.

“Well, he said. “That went… well.

“Yeah. I crossed my arms. “She liked you.”

“Good.” He hesitated. “Listen, if anything happens-if you need help, or if things get… complicated-just call me, okay?”

“Ethan-

“And my mom.” He grimaced. “She’s probably going to ambush-call you at some point. Ask invasive questions. Demand to meet you. The usual.”

you at son

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1 blinked. “What?”

I’ll text you when she’s on the warpath. He grinned. That way you can prep your fake-girlfriend performance.”

17

“Ethan.” I exhaled slowly. “You know you don’t have to do all this, right? You’re my fake boyfriend. Not my actual… whatever.”

His smile faded.

Just slightly.

“I know,” he said quietly.

Then, softer: “But honestly? I wish you were my girlfriend. If you’d let me.”

The air left my lungs.

What?

He raised a hand before I could speak I know. I know you won 1. But I had to say it.”

My throat tightened.

3:10 pm

Chapter 146

MA

There is. The truth underneath all this pretending.

He’s not just helping me out. He wants this to be real.

And I can’t give him that. I can’t be what he needs.

“Ethan-

“It’s fine.” He cut me off, voice light again. “Really. Think of it this way I’m hiring you to play my girlfriend. And part of the deal is… I take care of shit. Fix doors. Meet your mom. Pretend to be a decent human being.”

“You are a decent human being.”

“Debatable.” He tried to smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “But I appreciate the vote of confidence.

I wanted to argue.

I wanted to tell him he deserved better than this better than me.

But the words stuck in my throat.

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Because he does deserve better. He deserves someone who can love him back the way he wants to be loved.

And I’m not that person. I can’t be.

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