Kiss Me at Midnight(16)
Author: Diane Alberts

Alex sank back against the bench and crossed his ankles on the boardwalk. “I didn’t know you still had a thing for her.”

“I did.” He paused, then let out a frustrated sigh. “But I’m still leaving town tomorrow night.”

Alex whistled through his teeth. “I never said you weren’t, man.”

“Yeah, well, I just wanted to make that clear.” He finished off his beer. “I hate this f**king place.”

“I know.” Alex sighed and took a sip of his beer. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help you.”

Ethan turned to him. “Why would you be sorry? You were at college getting an education. It’s not as if you ran away and left me on my own.”

“Didn’t I, though?” Alex met Ethan’s eyes, his own past haunting him, one that Ethan hadn’t even realized existed. “I think I did exactly that.”

“Alex, you were living your life.” Ethan placed a hand on Alex’s shoulder, squeezing tight. “What were you supposed to do? Put your life on hold so you could save your nerdy brother? I didn’t want that, and neither should you have.”

Alex flexed his jaw. “I could have went somewhere closer. Kicked ass on the weekend.”

“You kicked enough asses for me over the years, and then I started kicking them all on my own.” Ethan squeezed Alex’s shoulder one last time. “I was fine without you, and you did nothing wrong.”

Alex nodded, but seemed less than convinced. “If you say so.”

“Dude. I’m fine.”

“Alex?” a feminine voice asked. “Is that you?”

Alex stiffened, cursed under his breath, straightened his shirt, and stood. Ethan watched in amazement. He’d never seen Alex act so f**king neurotic before. “Hey, Molly. Happy New Year.”

Molly smiled. “It’s the second.”

“Yeah, but still.” Alex rubbed his jaw, his gaze focused on Molly. “What are you up to?”

Molly gestured behind her. “On my way to the office. I have to prepare for a hearing on Wednesday, and I put it off as long as possible. It’s time to get back to it. You know, being the expert witness and all.”

“And we thought our jobs would only be listening to people’s problems all day.”

She laughed. “Yeah, well. Added bonus of being a psychologist, I guess.” Her gaze fell on Ethan, and she pursed her lips. “Ethan? Is that you?”

Ethan stood and offered his hand. “Hey, Molly. Nice to see you again.”

She grinned. “You grew up.”

“So did you. You look great,” Ethan said, smiling.

And she really did. He couldn’t believe the Molly standing in front of him was the same Molly from high school who’d been almost as nerdy as him. She was stunning and seemed completely oblivious to the fact that his brother—the school jock every girl had wanted, including her—was practically drooling all over her.

Alex elbowed him in the ribs, pushing him back away from Molly. “Don’t you have that date to go to?”

Ethan grinned. “I’m good here.”

“I have to go anyway.” She smiled at Ethan, then turned to Alex. Her smile faded. “I’ll see you at work next week?”

Alex nodded, his grip tight on the beer bottle. “If you need any help later, just let me know.”

“I wouldn’t bother you on your week off,” she argued.

“Please. It’s not an issue.”

She nodded. “Thanks. Bye, guys.”

“Bye,” Ethan called out.

Alex just watched her leave with a frown.

“You should go after her,” Ethan said, chugging back the last of his beer. “You obviously want to. Go for it.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Alex said, grimacing. “I don’t want to chase after her. It’s Molly. Just Molly.”

Ethan snorted. “Yeah. Sure.”

“Why don’t you focus on your own problems…like with Ashley? Want to talk about your feelings there?” Alex asked, turning to him with a bland stare.

Ethan shrugged, refusing to show how much he cared about her. “Ashley is just Ashley.”

Alex laughed. “Ashley was never just Ashley to you.”

“And on that note?” Ethan handed the empty bottle to Alex. “Thanks for the drink, but I have to go.”

“Go ahead. Run away again.” Alex grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. “Catch you later, bro.”

“Yeah.” Ethan bent down and gave Alex a man-hug. “I’ll be home later.”

“I’ll wait up for you,” Alex joked.

Ethan waved at his brother and then headed off in the direction of her condo, some weird form of sadness creeping over him. It was as if…as if he was sad to say goodbye again. Which made sense, in a way. She was more than a fling. She was his friend. But then again, there was no reason they couldn’t remain friends. Hell, who knew? On the weekends where he had to come home to the godforsaken town, she might brighten his stay a little bit.

Maybe he would even look forward to his visits a little bit from now on. Even now, after all these years, they still got along. Still laughed and shared and had fun.

But enough with the melancholy thoughts. They weren’t his style. No regrets. No attachments. That was him. Not this longing feeling in his heart.

That wasn’t him.

Tonight might be their last night together, but at least they’d had the chance to be together in the first place. He had to make tonight count. Had to make it last.

And after that, who knew? They might not be long-term romance material but it didn’t mean he would never speak to her again. Never see her.

Then again, how long would someone as fabulous as her stay single?

He sucked in the frigid air, welcoming the freezing feeling in his lungs. Normally, the cold breeze and invigorating scent of the ocean would soothe his nerves and make his brain work out whatever was bothering him at the time. Not tonight. Not now.

But he had no idea why tonight was different.

…

Ashley opened the door with a smile. She’d been waiting all day for Ethan to come, and now that he had, she couldn’t deny the happiness that settled in her heart at the sight of him. Something about being with him brought out the old her. The sweet, giggling version of her she’d been before she grew up and matured.

And apparently, she’d kind of missed that girl.