Ethan lifts a brow.“You’re just what?”
I clench my jaw.“This wasn’t his fault.”
Ethan lets out a sharp breath, shaking his head.“Jesus, Anna.”
I tense.“What?”
His gaze flicks between me and Joel, like he’s seeing something for the first time.
And I hate it.
I hate that look.
Because it’s recognition.
It’srealization.
And I’m not remotely prepared for it.
Ethan exhales slowly, pressing his fingers to his temples.“You know what?I should have known.”
I swallow.
Joel doesn’t say a word.
“I should have seen it,” Ethan mutters, shaking his head again.“I mean, it was all right there.Wasn’t it?”
Joel shifts, finally speaking.“Ethan, man, I swear?—”
“Don’t.Don’t go into it.”Ethan glares at him.“Because the second you say it out loud, I’ll have to accept that it’s happening and I’m not ready for that yet.”
Joel presses his lips together.
And somehow, that makes it worse.
Because he respects Ethan too much to push it.
Ethan sighs.“Look, I don’t know if I want to punch you or just walk away.”
Mom, who has been watching all of this like it’s the best movie she’s ever seen, finally steps in.
“Enough,” she says, firm but gentle.
Ethan huffs.“Mom?—”
“Ethan.”She rests a hand on his arm, her look far too knowing.
Ethan settles, the words he was about to say snuffed out before they even start.
Hell, even Tessa is beaming at us.
My chest tightens.
I can feel Joel’s eyes on me.
Can feel the way Ethan is watching me, waiting.
And for the first time in my life, I don’t know what to say.