A Picture's Worth
Copyright© 2026 by Evie Olivia Niven
Chapter 12: Being Practical
The monitor buzzed. Ethan lounged on the couch, watching Bea as she sat at his computer. He wasn’t sure what she was using it for—he couldn’t see from where he sat—he only knew that she’d asked his permission to use it, and of course, he couldn’t say no. Every now and then, she would shift around and sigh, and push her hair back from her face, or write something down in the notebook she’d brought with her. She looks very serious, Ethan thought, pushing himself up on the couch. I wonder what she’s doing.
She hadn’t told him, and he hadn’t asked, but he couldn’t help his curiosity. Finally, he pushed himself up off the couch and wandered over to the computer desk. The desire to touch her struck him suddenly, and Ethan wound his fingers in her hair, catching her attention. Damn, he thought, leaning over and dropping his mouth to her cheek. I just want to ... hmm? The computer screen had caught his attention, and as tempting as Bea was, what was on it was a more immediate concern.
It was a realty site. He felt Bea tense under his hands and couldn’t help wondering what about a realty site would make her so nervous, unless ... It wasn’t like Ethan to be so rude, but he leaned forward to get a better look. California, he thought, turning his head to look at Bea. Why California? The expression on her face was a sheepish one, like a child caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Ethan leaned back, snatching his hand away when she tried to grab it.
“California?” Ethan asked, frowning.
Bea shrugged. “I was offered a job at a fashion magazine there,” she explained, her voice quiet. She took a look at his face and added hastily, “That doesn’t mean I’m going. I’m just looking into it.”
“You’re looking into realty?” Ethan’s eyebrows rose skeptically. “Sounds like moving to me.”
He wasn’t sure why it stung so much. Or ... maybe he was. It had frightened him, his attraction to Bea, and not just the physical part of it. Ethan wasn’t exactly sure when his interest in her had changed—he thought perhaps when she’d been sick, when he’d taken care of her while she was weak and vulnerable—but he wasn’t so stupid as to not realize how he felt. He knew it was more than just physical, but he wasn’t sure if it was for her. If she can just move, Ethan thought, then obviously it isn’t.
Bea sighed. “Look, Ethan, I’m just being practical,” she said. “This job is ... well, it’s pretty big and if ... if...”
Was this supposed to be some sort of ultimatum? A few minutes ago he’d felt like a very happy cat and now ... Bea shrugged and turned away from him. There was something in the way her shoulders slumped that told him she didn’t feel as nonchalant as she sounded. This is stupid, Ethan thought, turning away from the computer. I’m acting like some stupid little lovesick puppy. He wasn’t lovesick. It was more like ... likesick. Grumbling under his breath, he headed for the door. On an afterthought, he grabbed his cell phone before stepping outside. She didn’t call after him.
It was warm now that the month was winding down towards June. Ethan paced down the length of the open walkway in front of the apartments, staring at his cell phone. Who could he possibly talk to about this? He wasn’t entirely sure he understood for himself what was going on. There was certainly no one to whom he could explain the unbelievable desire he felt every time he looked at Bea. If there’s one person who can put this into perspective for me, though, Ethan thought, it would be Bailey. Maybe she could make something of Bea’s ‘being practical’ speech.
His sister’s phone rang enough times that he thought she wasn’t going to pick up. When she did, he let out a sigh of relief.
“What’s wrong?” Bailey asked as soon as he spoke. “I can hear it in your voice ... something’s bothering you.”
Even though Chase was closer to him in age—and Gavin, in fact—Bailey had always been the closest of his siblings. Ethan leaned against the wall at the opposite end of the building from his apartment and explained to her what had happened. She was always sympathetic with him, but honest too, and one of the most insightful people he knew, if not the most. By the time he was done pouring out his thoughts, Ethan was feeling worlds better.
“You know,” Bailey said quietly, “maybe you should talk to her about it.”
Ethan sighed. “About what? She already told me how she felt. Being practical ... how cold is that?”
“I still think you should ask her,” Bailey insisted. “That doesn’t sound cold to me ... it sounds scared.”
Scared? Bea? Ethan bit back a derisive laugh. She isn’t scared of anything, he thought, except for maybe hospitals. That last thing she was afraid of was him. How could a woman so experienced and so confident ever feel fear over something like this? That isn’t being fair, he scolded himself, leaning heavily against the wall. There’s no good reason she can’t be as nervous as I am. But then how could she possibly even consider moving?
She couldn’t decide if she’d been genuinely looking into real estate in California or trying to get a reaction. Probably both. There hadn’t been a reaction of any sort for more than a week since that night. Bea had always considered herself to be perceptive, but she couldn’t always tell if Ethan was holding himself back or if he just didn’t want her. Damnit, she thought, dropping her head into her hands. I’m scared. She’d thought that maybe looking into California a little, reminding herself that there would always be something for her, would make her feel a little better.
Bea sat on the couch, her research forgotten, waiting for Ethan to come back. She didn’t know where he’d gone. Maybe I should have stopped him, she thought, glancing up at the door. She couldn’t remember the last time her insecurities had eaten her alive like this. Ever since Bailey had told her that Ethan had been with the same person for six years, she’d felt her confidence faltering. Worse, Bea thought, if this person betrayed him ... maybe she started sleeping around, which would explain why he didn’t like me when he first met me.
The door opened. She looked up to see Ethan, cell phone in hand, walk back in. His face was expressionless; she watched him as he set his cell phone down on the charger and then headed over to the couch where she sat. Feeling suddenly afraid, Bea drew her knees up to her chest and looked away.
“What did you mean by that?” Ethan asked, his voice quiet. “Being practical?”
Bea shrugged. “I just ... have to think about ... everything,” she said, shifting uncomfortably. “I um ... I don’t have all that much left here anymore, and if ... if ... then I want to make sure there’s something...”
“Nothing left? What about the people you care about?” Ethan demanded. “What about the people who care about you?”
Bea lifted her head and looked at him. She couldn’t imagine what was in her eyes, but whatever it was, it made his expression soften. He settled down on the couch and reached a hand out to her. Without really thinking about what she was doing, she crawled into his lap, seating herself with her thighs straddling his hips, and took his face between her hands. Bea leaned down and brushed her mouth lightly against his. She wondered if he wanted her even half so much as she wanted him. And if he realized that what she wanted was more than just physical.
“What if you don’t end up as one of those people?” Bea asked softly. “I ... how do you think I’d feel if you decided that it just wasn’t going to work between the two of us?”
Ethan sighed. “If what doesn’t work?” he wanted to know. “The sex or...?”
“This isn’t about sex!” Bea exclaimed, pushing at him and trying to get away. “God, that isn’t the only thing I’m interested in! Why do you say things like that?”
It hurt more than she would have imagined that he thought that way. Bea tried to get out of his lap, but Ethan was bigger and stronger than she was, and he’d decided that she wasn’t going anywhere. His arms closed around her, keeping her trapped against his chest. Normally, it wasn’t a position she’d mind in the least, but at the moment, she was annoyed. Why do people think I don’t have any tender feelings? Bea wondered, shoving futilely at Ethan’s shoulders. It’s not fair!
“Damnit, Bea, calm down!” Ethan growled, loosening his hold on her in order to grab her wrists. “Stop ... just listen to me!” His fingers tightened around her wrists until she stopped fighting. “This isn’t easy for me either! I don’t know what to expect from you! I’ve never met anyone like you before, and I want ... I want...”
Here he faltered, a look of distress flooding his dark eyes. There’s only one way to find out, Bea decided. She relaxed against him, and when he let go of her wrists, reached up and wound her fingers in his hair. That caught his attention. Just before she pulled his mouth down to hers, she saw his eyes widen. One way or another, she intended on finding out just what it was he wanted from her.
The last time she’d been forceful with him, he’d pushed her away. This time, when Bea slid her tongue between his lips, he opened his mouth to her. His arms tightened around her again. When he took control of the kiss, she was so startled that for a moment, her mouth faltered. Ethan had never kissed her like this before. She moaned softly, low in her throat, as his tongue slid along hers. Bea’s hands dropped down his shoulders again, her fingers gripping at him as he rose from the couch, lifting her with him as easily as if she were a child.
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