R.I.L.Y Forever by Norah Bennett Page A

the house making her mouth water and her stomach rumble. She hadn’t stopped to eat all day and she was starving.
    “Hi, angel baby. What are you eating?” Ethan greeted Lilly as Julia took one of the bags from him and began to empty it on the small kitchen table that served as their dining room. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Ethan doing his baby whisperer routine. Lilly was relishing in his attention and filled the room with her adorable squeals of delight. Her girl acted like all women did around Dr. Ethan Sullivan. She was drooling all over him and trying to feed him peas off her plate. One day Julia would have to get him to tell her what he whispered in Lilly’s ear that gave her such joy.
    “What did you do with yourself all week?” Julia asked.
    “Mainly I worked on the house and met with some contractors who will be working on the plumbing, electrical, and stonework. Although I’ll be doing a lot of the work myself, I’m going to need help since I’m starting at the hospital on Monday.”
    “You know I think you’re crazy, right? I didn’t even know you liked to work with your hands. When did you learn how to do … whatever it is you have to do in that monstrosity?”
    “Hey now, show some respect for my humble dwellings. You can refer to my home as the castle from now on. As for my skills for home repair and renovation, I picked it up in college and med school to make extra money. I love making old things new again, although not too new. I want the place to showcase the past in all its glory. You’ll see. It’s going to be fantastic.”
    “Okay, Tim the Tool Man, I’ll try to keep an open mind. I’m starving, but I got home a little while ago. I haven’t had a chance to change. Would you mind watching Lilly for a few minutes? I promise to be quick.”
    “I don’t mind at all. Lilly and I will be fine. Dinner can wait. Go and change. Take your time. I’m in no rush.”
    “Okay, thanks. I’ll clean her up before I go. Looks like she fed most of her dinner to her hair and ears.”
    “Jules, go change. I’ve got this. Besides, I have a surprise for my girl in this bag.”
    Grateful for the help, Julia escaped up the stairs to her room and shut the door. For a few minutes she stood, eyes closed, with her back against the door wondering what she was doing. She had to move. She needed to wash up, change, and get downstairs, but she wanted to hide here for a few minutes and get her racing heart under control. It was good to have Ethan in her home. She was way too vulnerable where he was concerned.
    Ethan was decadent chocolate, ice cream sundaes, and fine wine rolled into one. He was something so good, but so bad. He was forbidden fruit. Julia craved him all the time and was powerless to resist him. She barely survived losing him the first time and after the last few years with Matt, Julia didn’t have the strength to survive another heartache.
    She studied her image in the bathroom mirror and reminded herself, for the hundredth time, tonight was about closure—not a reawakening of anything. She lectured herself on this fact all week, but that didn’t stop her foolish brain from unearthing every memory she’d tried to bury. There were plenty of good memories and plenty of painful ones. The problem was her stupid brain teamed up with her heart and only wanted to dredge up the good times, disregarding the messy parts completely.
    Making quick work of it, she washed up and changed into jeans and one of her favorite t-shirts, an oldie, but a goodie. It read, “I’m still mad they never actually told us how to get to Sesame Street.” She brushed her hair until it fell in soft waves down her back and let it have its way and run wild and free. She told herself to behave like an adult and stop hiding in her room. Opening her bedroom door, she made her way to the stairs leading to the first floor.
    Julia stopped dead.
    There in the family room stood tall, muscular Ethan swaying with Lilly