Page 108 of Perfect Liar

“Sometimes, you and your brothers are like a pack of wolves or something.”

Ethan laughed.

“Yeah, well, maybe.”

But something more weighed on me. When Ethan was around, my heart yearned to draw on his connection to Isabel. Another way for me to hold on to her. The time and place never seemed appropriate, but in that moment, I just didn’t care.

“Did you love her, Ethan?” I blurted.

He paused with his whisky at his lips, frowned, and then swallowed what was left.

“We were different than you and Will are together.”

I narrowed my eyes. I wanted him to say it. I wanted him to be honest.

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“I know you miss her, Ellie, and it kills me to see your pain. She talked about you quite a lot…Isabel loved you. And yes, since you’ll keep pushing, I did love her.”

A single tear rolled down my cheek.

“Stop crying. Save your tears for my brother.”

I wiped the damn tear away. Because Ethan was right. Will comforted me and cared for me with deep tenderness. He protected me physically as well as emotionally. I wanted it to be Will’s shoulder that I leaned on, cried on. Only his.

William Hastings was everything to me.

I popped up from the sofa.

“I need to talk to Will,” I said.

“Good. And listen, we’ll talk more about Lissie when I’m home next week. You have my word. Go on and get my brother set right.”

I pushed down the hem of my dress and headed to the bar. Will drained his glass while watching me walk to him. I slid my hands up his forearms.

“Tell me, what are we doing, Will?”

His eyes challenged mine, but still, he didn’t say anything.

I pushed my fingers under his folded sleeves and pressed him harder.

“What is this? It’s not about a photo.”

His gaze dropped to my hands on his arms, then to the floor.

“Elle, if I hurt you?—”

“—you didn’t, not this time.”

He jerked his gaze up, and I could see self-reproach in his eyes. He pushed a strand of hair away from my face.

“Forgive me,” he ordered.

“I’m not upset with you.”

Leaning in, he pressed his lips against my temple and spoke softly against my skin.

“It won’t happen again.”