"What about you?" he asked, leaning in a little. "You said you’re a blogger. What kind of stuff do you write about?"
"Everything," she said with a small shrug. "People. Monts. Life. I’m a professional overthinker, so writing is how I keep myself from exploding."
"That sounds poetic," he said, genuinely intrigued.
"Poetic, sure. But sotis it’s just ranting about how laundry should count as cardio or why cereal at night is the peak of adulthood."
Ethan laughed—a deep, rich sound that made sothing flutter in her chest. She liked the way he laughed. Like he wasn’t just being polite. Like he got her.
They talked through dinner, trading stories—so light, so surprisingly personal. Ethan told her about growing up in Zeden, the long hours building his company, and how he almost lost it once to a terrible investnt.
She told him about her childhood in Zeden and how her parents had moved to Florittle when she was fifteen, her love for words, and how she once accidentally sent a love poem ant for her crush to her high school math teacher.
"You did not," he said, eyes wide with amusent.
"Oh, I did," she groaned. "Mr. Daniels thought it was a prank. I almost died."
He chuckled. "You’re full of surprises," he said, still smiling.
"I try."
As they finished their als, Rayna noticed sothing shift. It wasn’t just that the conversation had gotten easier—it was him. He wasn’t just handso. Or charming. He was... kind. Thoughtful. And he listened. Really listened. Not like he was waiting for his turn to speak, but like he actually cared about her answers. He hadn’t pretended to be this way the other night. It was just who he was.
That was rare. Rarer than it should be. And sohow, it made her feel seen.
As the plates were cleared and the check paid Ethan stood and offered her his hand.
"Co with ," he said.
Rayna narrowed her eyes playfully. "That sounds suspicious. I know I can be crazy but trust , I’m not having sex in a restaurant’s restroom."
Ethan laughed by her crazy assumptions. "Sex? No one is having sex today least of all in a restroom. Just.... trust and co with , silly."
"Famous last words," she said, still, she took his hand.
He led her outside, not toward the parking lot, but around the restaurant, to a small garden patio tucked behind the building. String lights dangled from the trees, and there was a wooden bench facing a shallow koi pond, its surface glowing under the soft light.
They sat, and for a mont, just watched the fish swim lazily beneath the water.
"This is my favorite part of the place," he said. "Most people don’t even know it’s here."
"It’s beautiful," she said softly. "Peaceful."
"I thought you’d like it."
"I do. You did say I was yet to see the best part," she said, and he chuckled softly.
She turned to him, her voice quieter now. "Why did you want to see again, Ethan? After all that ti?"
He looked at her, eyes steady. "Because I didn’t forget you. I tried. I told myself it was just a night. Just a coincidence. But when I saw you again last week, I knew I had to try."
"Even though we barely know each other and I refused your calls?"
"Especially because you refused my calls when you could’ve said no. You gave your contact info. That ans there’s still ti to get it right."
Rayna felt her throat tighten unexpectedly. She wasn’t used to this—people being so open, so honest. It scared her a little. But it also made her want to believe. To try.
"Okay," she whispered. "Let’s see if we can."
They sat there for a while longer, talking about everything and nothing. She told him about Ruby and her love of quiet mornings. He told her about his niece who wanted to be an astronaut-chef. It was simple. Sweet. Real.
Eventually, the night grew cooler, and Rayna shivered slightly.
"Let drive you ho," Ethan offered. "It’s late."
"I brought my car. You seem to have forgotten."
He nodded. "Then let drive behind you. I want to make sure you get ho safely," he said, not because he needed to know where she stayed so he could tell Stefan but because he genuinely needed to make sure she got ho safely.
She ca out because of him and he needed to be sure she got ho safely.
She hesitated for a heartbeat, then nodded. "Alright."
They walked to her car together, and he opened the door for her like it was the most natural thing in the world. After she got in, he went back to his car and followed behind her.
When they reached her house, he quickly texted her to wait and while she was waiting, he parked at the curb and went to get her door for her.
"Was this why you asked to wait? I’d thought you saw a thief or sothing," she said, and he chuckled.
"I’m sorry but I just wanted to treat you like the queen you are," he said, making Rayna’s cheeks flash a crimson pink.
She turned away so he wouldn’t notice.
Ethan smiled when he noticed she was blushing and then cleared his throat. "I had a great ti tonight," he said.
" too," she replied, turning to face him. "You’re... not what I expected."
"Is that a good thing?"
She smiled. "It is."
He didn’t try to kiss her. Didn’t push. Just reached over and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Goodnight, Rayna and thank you for coming out."
"Goodnight, Ethan."
She moved away from her car and watched him drive off, his taillights disappearing into the quiet Florittle night.
And as she stood there, in the soft glow of the porch light, she realized sothing.
She wanted to see him again.
Not for Ruby. Not for distraction. But for herself.
Because for the first ti in a long while, sothing inside her stirred—sothing that felt dangerously close to love and she wasn’t ready to run from it. Not yet.
Reviews
All reviews (0)