“I didn’t want to bother you,” she muttered, shivering slightly.
“Bother me?” he echoed, shaking his head.“Never. You’re worth getting wet for.”
Something in the way he said it made her heart skip. She stared at him, unsure how to respond, as he pulled her closer under the umbrella.
“Hey,” he said softly, brushing rain from her hair,“I’ve been thinking… about us. About how messy, chaotic, and ridiculous everything is… but I wouldn’t change a second of it.”
Samantha blinked, words catching in her throat.“I… I feel the same way. It’s… it’s been perfect, in a weird, messy way.”
Ethan’s hand found hers, fingers lacing together.“Sam… I don’t want this to be just fun, silly adventures. I want to be there for you, all of it—the chaos and the quiet. I want… us.”
Samantha’s cheeks warmed.“Ethan… I want that too.”
He smiled, gently tucking a strand of wet hair behind her ear.“So… does that mean we’re officially a team? Team disaster, but… permanent?”
She laughed softly, leaning into him.“Permanent.”
And in the rain, with the city lights reflecting off puddles and their laughter mingling with the soft patter of droplets, Samantha realized that love with Ethan was no longer just chaos or fun—it was real, deep, and worth every mess, every laugh, and every moment together.
Chapter 17:
The Pie Contest Pandemonium
“Ethan! Why on earth did you sign us up for a pie-eating contest?” Samantha exclaimed, staring at the enormous banner fluttering above the town square.
Ethan grinned, holding two matching aprons that read Team Chaos.“Because, my dear Samantha, it’s perfect for us! Laughter, competition… sticky faces!”
Samantha groaned.“Sticky faces are your thing, not mine!”
The contest began. Volunteers handed out blueberry pies, and soon, Samantha and Ethan were facing off against rival teams. Ethan dove in enthusiastically, blue filling smearing across his cheek, while Samantha carefully strategized her bites—only to have Ethan elbow her playfully.
“Cheater!” she cried, trying to dodge a splatter of pie.
“Strategy!” he countered, smearing some blueberry onto her nose with a grin.
By the halfway point, both were covered head to toe in pie, laughter echoing across the square. Spectators cheered, snapping pictures of the sticky, laughing couple. Samantha couldn’t help but grin—Ethan’s enthusiasm was contagious, even in chaos.
Finally, they collapsed side by side, laughing so hard they could barely breathe.
“You’re ridiculous,” Samantha gasped, brushing pie off her hair.
“And you love it,” Ethan said, smearing one last dab of blueberry on her cheek before leaning in for a sweet, messy kiss.
Samantha laughed against his lips.“Yes… I really do.”
As they sat there, sticky but happy, Samantha realized something important: love with Ethan was always unpredictable, always messy—but it was also endlessly fun and filled with moments that made life unforgettable.
And in that messy, pie-covered chaos, she knew she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Chapter 18:
Starlit Secrets
The night was quiet, the kind of night that made the city feel almost magical. Samantha and Ethan sat on the rooftop of his apartment building, legs dangling over the edge, wrapped in a shared blanket.
“Why do we always end up on rooftops?” Samantha asked, smiling.
“Because rooftops are perfect for stargazing,” Ethan replied, pointing to a cluster of stars.“And because it’s our secret little escape from the world.”
