Free Breaking All The Rules (Book 1 - Second Chances Series) by Rhonda McKnight

for ourselves. We arrived at the house and sat in the truck for a few minutes. It was dark and looked lonely. It was funny, I lived alone, but there was something about being in Garrison right now that made me feel lonely in my aloneness, so I invited Ethan in.  “No point in us eating alone,” I said, offering an explanation for the invitation. “I can warm up our food and you can keep me company for a little while longer if like.”
    “I can’t think of anything else I’d prefer to do.” Ethan turned off the ignition, came around the truck, opened the door for me and reached in for our bags.
    We entered the dark house. I flooded the living room and dining room with light in an effort to not create atmosphere. Then I washed my hands and began to microwave our food. 
    “You can turn on the television,” I yelled to him from the kitchen.
    “Not much of a T.V person,” he responded. “I’ll wash up and set the table.” He did just that. When I crossed into the dining room from the kitchen I noticed the recessed lighting had been dimmed a bit and there was soft jazz music streaming from his cell phone. He took the plates from my hand and put them down on place mats that he’d positioned next to each other on the table.
    “This is cozy,” I said, taking the chair he’d pulled out for me.
    “I’m trying to recapture the atmosphere in Palermo’s.”
    “Minus the autograph seekers,” I chuckled.
    “I can sign something for you.”
    I raised an eyebrow. “I’ve known you too long to be an autograph hound.”
    “You never know,” he said. “Maybe one day you’ll want my name on something.”
    I laughed. “I am not going to ask you to explain that one.”
    He laughed too. “I was envisioning a tattoo right there in the center of your chest.”
    “I can guarantee you that you’ll never see your name in the center of my chest, Mr. Wright.” 
    “Well, maybe I’ll just sign it on your heart.”
    “Now you’re trying too hard,” I said, laughing.
    Ethan chuckled. “I thought that was original.”
    Our eyes caught for a long, intense moment. I fought the desire to look away, but in the end his resolve was stronger, because I dropped my eyes.
    I reached for my glass and cleared my throat. “Why are you staring?”
    Ethan reached for his glass and took a long sip before answering. “I can’t help myself. You’re beautiful.”
    I know I turned fifty shades of blush. “Thank you. That’s nice to hear.”
    He was quick with his response. “It’s easy to say.” Still, his soul searching eyes remained on me. 
    I cleared my throat. “Our food is cooling again.”
    “Then let’s eat.” Ethan picked up his fork, gave me a teasing smile and delved into his plate.
    I was finally able to breathe.
    We ate in silence for a few minutes. The music and Ethan’s occasional glances in my direction served to turn up the heat in the room a bit more than the hot peppers in my entrée.
    I put my fork down. “I can’t eat another bite. It’s nearly nine.” I stood from the table. “I’m going to check on Janette.”
    Ethan pushed back from the table as well, but his plate was empty. He’d inhaled his food whole.
    I reached into my bag and pushed the numbers for Garrison General. I was surprised I still remembered it, but I guess it was permanently etched on my brain from all the calls I placed when my dad was sick.
    After a few rings, I heard Terrance’s voice on the other end. I passed on greeting him. “How’s Janette?”
    “She’s fine. Sleeping. She’s had a few more contractions, so they still have her under observation. I’m not sure she’ll be home tonight,” he said and paused. “I’m not sure I want her to be. It feels safer here.”
    “Okay, let her know I’m thinking about her. Praying for her,” I replied.
    “I will.”
    “Call my cell if things change. I’m going to lock up after Ethan leaves and –”
    He interrupted me before I could finish my sentence. “Ethan is