Page 9 of Lovestrung

Meaning, it went from bad to worse soon after we sat down to eat. The food was delicious, of course, but sitting opposite my crush – or obsession, or whatever I should call him – with Gramps flanking us at the head of the table would probably go down as one of the worst experiences of my life. More than once, I thought I saw Ethan staring at me when I talked with Gramps, but as soon as I turned fully to him, his gaze was firmly down on his plate or looking at the old man next to him. My eyes must’ve been playing tricks on me.

Weird.

“So, Ethan,” Gramps dabbed at his mouth with his napkin, “do you have any plans for Spring Break?”

Ethan shook his head and took a long pull of his beer.

“Not really, no. I’ve thought about doing some work at the local animal shelter, though. They’re always in need of an extra set of hands, and it’ll be good learning experience.”

My heart softened at his words.

“That sounds good,” Gramps smiled. “But in my day, breaks were not about working your ass off all the time. You need to have some fun, too, kid. Live a little. Date, go out.”

I gritted my teeth at the word date but forced myself to smile encouragingly at Ethan when he turned his eyes on me.

“Gramps is right,” I started and took a bite of the tender beef he’d cooked for us. “We’re young, Ethan – or have you forgotten that part?” I smirked at him, but when his face remained blank, I sighed.

The old Ethan would’ve appreciated my light teasing, but it would appear his sense of humor had disappeared along with his sunny mood the last year.

Ethan sat back in his chair and crossed his arms.

“We’ll see.”

Not wanting to seem too interested either way, I dropped the subject.

“Frederik says you’re off to travel soon,” he said, surprising me.

I swallowed my food and smiled at Gramps. “I am, yes. I bought my plane ticket to Rome this morning, actually.”

Gramps’ eyes warmed and he sighed. “Good for you, girl. Good for you.”

“Rome?”

I turned my head and nodded at Ethan.

“Yes, that’s where I’m starting out. First Rome, then Paris…then…”

“How long will you be gone?” he interrupted.

“Oh, I must’ve forgotten to mention that,” Gramps butted in. “Our Pippa will be gone for a year.”

Ethan blinked, apparently shocked. “A year? You can’t be serious.”

Bristling at the disbelief in his voice, I jutted my chin at him.

“I’m dead serious, Ethan.”

He let out an incredulous snort as he uncrossed his arms, leaning forward in his seat.

“Seriously, Pippa, a year? At least tell me you’re not travelling alone.”

I mirrored his body language, all the while trying to tamp down my temper.

“Yeeees. What’s it to you?”

My blood buzzed as I watched his intense eyes turn even angrier.

“I won’t allow it,” he whispered.