Maybe

Chapter 60 Let me go

Later that evening, as Ethan stood by the door, ready to leave, I walked him out, glancing over my shoulder to make sure Mom wasn't nearby.

"Goodnight," I said softly, trying to keep things casual.

Ethan, of course, wasn't one to make things easy. "That's it? Just 'goodnight'?" he teased, leaning in slightly with that signature smirk of his.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. Standing on my toes, I gave him a quick peck on the cheek, hoping that would satisfy him.

He pulled back, raising a brow. "Really? That's all I get?"

I crossed my arms, trying to feign exasperation. "What more do you want? Mom's inside, Ethan. She could see us any second!"

"Then make it quick," he said, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper as he leaned in again.

I sighed, realizing he wasn't going to let up. With a small laugh, I gave him a proper kiss, soft and lingering for just a moment. As I pulled away, his arms wrapped around me in a sudden hug, catching me off guard.

"Now that's better," he murmured against my ear, his tone warm but playful.

I pushed against his chest lightly, laughing. "Okay, now you really need to go before Mom catches us."

Reluctantly, he let go, stepping back with a grin that was equal parts charming and infuriating. "Fine. But only because you're too cute when you're flustered."

I shook my head, smiling despite myself, and watched as he turned to leave. His figure disappeared into the night, but I stayed at the door for a moment longer, the smile on my face growing softer.

"Foolish guy," I murmured to myself, shaking my head as I closed the door.

Even as I went back inside, my heart felt light, and I couldn't help but feel a strange warmth at how effortlessly he got under my skin—foolish or not.

As I closed the door behind me, I leaned against it for a moment, taking a deep breath. The quiet hum of Mom's house was comforting in its familiarity, but my thoughts were elsewhere. The only reason I was staying here tonight was because my door lock had broken again—a recurring nuisance I hadn't had time to fix properly.

Ethan had offered to take care of it, but he had somewhere to be, and I wasn't about to argue. Instead, I'd ended up here, back in the room I'd grown up in, feeling oddly out of place.

As I pushed myself off the door and started toward the living room, I felt it—a strange sensation, like someone's eyes were on me. My steps faltered, and I glanced around the dimly lit hallway.

The windows were shut, the curtains drawn, and everything seemed perfectly normal. I shook my head, brushing off the unease. You're just imagining things, I told myself firmly.

I walked into the kitchen to grab a glass of water, but the feeling lingered, prickling at the back of my neck. I glanced out the kitchen window, staring into the darkness of the yard. Nothing. Not a shadow, not a sound—just the stillness of the night.

With a small, nervous laugh, I turned back to my glass, shaking my head at myself. "Get a grip," I muttered under my breath.

After all, this wasn't the first time I'd felt like this lately. Maybe it was just the stress of everything—the broken lock, Ethan's teasing, the lingering exhaustion from the week. Or maybe...

I shook the thought away. No. There's no one there.

Carrying my glass of water, I headed into the living room to join Mom, forcing a smile onto my face. Whatever it was, it could wait until tomorrow.