“I can cook,” Ethan had said confidently.“Trust me.”
Samantha raised an eyebrow.“You mean trust you not to set off the smoke alarm?”
He laughed.“Details, details. You’ll see—it’ll be fun!”
Stepping into his small kitchen, Samantha immediately noticed the organized chaos: utensils everywhere, a cookbook propped open, and Ethan in an apron that read Kiss the Cook. She snorted.
“Seriously?” she asked, giggling.
“Seriously,” he said, grinning.“Now, follow my lead.”
They started with something simple: pasta. Simple, in theory. But Ethan’s“lead” involved tossing ingredients a little too enthusiastically. Flour puffed into the air, a rogue tomato rolled across the counter, and Samantha narrowly avoided a splash of sauce.
“Ethan!” she exclaimed, laughing, as he flailed with the spoon.
“See? Fun!” he said, shrugging, looking proud of the mess.
By the time they sat down to eat, their clothes were spotted with sauce, hair slightly mussed, and laughter echoing throughthe apartment. The pasta wasn’t perfect, but it tasted amazing—mostly because they had cooked it together and survived the chaos.
Samantha looked across the table at him, grinning.“You know, I think this might be my favorite disaster yet.”
Ethan leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.“And you know, I think I like you even more when you laugh at my disasters.”
Samantha’s heart fluttered.“You’re ridiculous,” she said softly.
“And you love it,” he replied with a playful wink.
She laughed, shaking her head.“Yes… I do. Somehow.”
And in that little kitchen, with messy pasta and messy hair, Samantha realized that sometimes the best things in life were a little chaotic—and maybe, just maybe, they were perfect exactly the way they were.
Chapter 7:
Costume Catastrophe
Ethan’s text arrived Friday afternoon:“Fancy dress party tomorrow. You in? I promise it’ll be fun. And I’ll try not to spill anything on your costume.”
Samantha groaned, leaning back in her chair.“Of course. He’s bringing chaos to a costume party. Why am I not surprised?”
Saturday evening, Samantha arrived at Ethan’s apartment in a surprisingly elegant, though slightly ridiculous, flapper dress. Ethan opened the door dressed as a pirate, complete with an oversized hat and a fake parrot perched on his shoulder.
“You look amazing!” he exclaimed, bowing dramatically.“And I am Captain Chaos, at your service!”
Samantha rolled her eyes, laughing.“Captain Chaos… perfect.”
At the party, they tried to mingle, but Ethan’s enthusiasm quickly drew attention. He tripped over a tablecloth while bowing to the host, nearly sending a tray of drinks flying. Samantha caught a glass just in time, water spilling onto her dress—but Ethan’s sheepish grin made her laugh instead of scowl.
“You’re unbelievable,” she whispered as they moved to a quieter corner.
“Unbelievably charming, you mean,” he said, winking.
Samantha shook her head, laughing.“Maybe. If you survive long enough to prove it.”
Later, during a dance, Ethan spun her too quickly, almost toppling into a group of guests. She clutched his shoulders, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.“We are team disaster, aren’t we?”
“Absolutely,” he said, grinning.“And somehow, I love it. I love you in this chaos.”
Samantha felt her chest flutter.“I think I’m starting to love it too… you, and all the ridiculousness.”
