Cuffed on the First Date Chapter 2

In that instant, my mind raced with a thousand a melodramatic soap opera plots.

Had Alex conned Ethan, too? Or maybe one of his relatives?

"You..." I asked, testing the waters. "Are you looking for him, too?"

Ethan took a slow, deliberate sip of his coffee.

"More than just looking."

He set the cup down, his gaze locking with mine. "I'm going to catch him."

Catch him!

The words sent a thrill through my entire body. Three years ago, Alex had vanished with the fifty thousand dollars I’d saved up to start my own business. I'd filed a police report, but it was like he’d ceased to exist. His ID, his phone number—everything led to a dead end. The police told me it was a common type of case, to wait for news, and then… nothing.

For three years, he had haunted my nightmares. I despised him, fantasizing about tearing him limb from limb.

And now, a man so handsome it was practically a crime was telling me he was going to catch Alex.

I looked at Ethan, my eyes shining.

"I can help you!" I blurted out. "I know so much about him! His habits, his old friends, the places he used to go!"

Ethan watched my excited outburst, and something new flickered in his eyes.

"Easy," he said, tucking the photo away. "That's all for today."

He stood, paid the bill, and turned to me.

"Give me your number. I'll call you when I need you."

I rattled off my digits instantly.

He saved the contact, gave me a curt nod, and walked away. Clean, efficient, no wasted motion.

I sat there, my heart still hammering against my ribs as I watched him disappear through the cafe door.

I pulled out my phone and texted my mom.

"Mom, about this guy… I'm very, very satisfied."

She replied in seconds: "Really?! That's wonderful! I told you he was a great catch!"

I smiled at the screen.

Oh, he was a catch, all right.

Handsome, driven, and we shared a common enemy.

I think… I was already starting to fall for him.