Morning After (A Reynolds Security Novel) by Melissa Hale

him."
    "Who?"
    "Boring Joe of course. Isn't he the one who's put the secret in your eyes?"
    "I have never been able to keep anything from you." Erica sighed.
    "Nope, so you shouldn't even try." Zoe wasn't smiling but given the circumstances she wouldn't expect her to.
    "There's not a lot to tell." Erica quickly told her about the non-dates they'd shared and the two hot kisses. "It's so fast I feel like I should stop and take a step back, but I just can't. Even though I know I should, I can't. I can't stop thinking about him." 
    "Be careful Erica, I don't want to see you get your heart broken."
    "I know."
    And she did know. Erica had been there the one time Zoe had gotten her heart broken. Even though it hadn't been her own pain she had felt it acutely.
    "Zoe," she whispered, "I am out of my element; what should I do?"
    "I don't know." Zoe laughed bitterly, "I am the worst at relationships." Zoe took a swig from the bottle. "Play hard to get, that's what Cosmo says to do."  
     
    Erica had every intention of playing hard to get and yet when she went back to her room she couldn't stop herself from calling Ethan.
    "Hey there." His voice was husky with sleep and Erica swiveled to the clock.
    "Oh gosh, I woke you up again didn't I?"
    "No problem, I am glad you called, it's good to hear your voice. I miss you all ready." Erica went warm at the words.  How could she play it cool when he was so sweet?
    "I miss you too," she whispered.
    "How is Zoe?"
    "Oh, you know..." Erica sighed, "As well as could be expected I guess. Ethan was quiet for a moment.
    "How are you?" The concern in his voice caused a lump in her throat. She didn't want to talk about how she was feeling; she didn't want to think about it.
    "I killed a half a bottle of crown," she said instead.
    "Really? You don't sound like it."
    "Yeah." She sighed, "I think it was defective." He chuckled, causing now familiar warmth in her stomach.
    "When are you coming home?" 
    Home . Technically she was home, she was back where she'd grown up and yet now it didn't feel like home. Ethan felt like home. How long had she really known him? Not even a week yet? Only a weekend, she didn't know anything about him. This was moving way too fast. Suddenly she was scared sober. What was she doing? How could someone who was always so careful be so reckless?
    "Erica?" Ethan's voice pierced her sudden awakening.
    "I ah," she cleared her throat. "Next week some time. Monday or Tuesday I think."
    "That long?"
    "The funeral isn't until Friday."
    "I see." She could hear the disappointment in his voice and that was sobering too. He didn't know her that well either. Was all the togetherness of the last few days calculated on his part?
    "I should let you get some sleep," she said suddenly.
    "Erica."
    "Yeah?" He hesitated and she heard him take a breath.
    "Call me if you need anything okay."
    "I will."
     
     
     
    She hadn't called. Since that first night he hadn't heard from her. He called her once and got voice mail. He left a message but she hadn't called him back. It felt distinctly like a brush off and it made his gut churn. 
    "Let's go get a beer."  Jace said as he walked into Ethan's office without bothering to knock.
    "I don't feel much like being a wing man." Ethan grumbled.
    "I don't need a wing man. I do just fine on my own." Jace tried to sound offended.  "You could use a beer. Maybe it'll snap you out of this funk. You need to get laid; forget about this chick."
    "I don't want to forget about her, I am not going to forget about her and I am damn sure not going to go get laid." Ethan growled, glaring at his best friend.
    "I don't get it man. I have known you for a hundred years. I have never seen you act like this over a woman."
    "I had never met this woman."
    "Why, what is it about this woman?"
    "I don't know.  The first time I saw her something just sort of... stuck. I can't really explain it."
    "God, if you say the words love at first sight I'm taking your man card." 
    Love at