“Promises, promises.” He chuckled, taking his seat across from her.
Priya caught herself full-on staring. The candlelight carved shadows along Ethan’s jawline, his shirt collar open just enough to hint at the strength beneath. The night felt unreal, like something spun from stardust and magic.
This is my life right now. I’m on a date with Ethan freaking Knight.
Every half-formed daydream, every secret wish she’d ever had about him had somehow crystallized into this evening. Reality had turned out to be sweeter, more vivid, and more beautiful than anything she could have imagined.
As dinner progressed, each dish outshining the previous, an aching fullness stirred within Priya. She knew the world wasn’t really shimmering, that it wasn’t the food or the setting making her feel this way. It was something more profound. Her heart strained as she tried to contain her emotions, but they coursed through her veins and her bones, spilling from her fingertips to reach for Ethan across the table.
Priya had always loved Ethan, but it felt different now, like a living, breathing thing that expanded and contracted with each moment. She understood now why love sparked wars, why it brought kings and queens to their knees, why the end of a relationship could feel like death—and why, no matter what anyone said or how much they tried to convince themselves, the broken simply could not carry on.
Like anyone who dared to love, Priya clung to the hope that she would never have to face that kind of pain. Yet, even as she allowed herself to open up to the possibility of a future with Ethan, the quiet echo of generations past stirred within her, making her question whether she was truly worthy of such grace.
Twenty-Two
As Priya and Ethanwrapped up their meal, the yacht cruised toward the city harbor, leaving the darkness of the lake behind. The skyline slowly took shape, gleaming skyscrapers coming into view. Yara and Not-Ethan whisked away the last of the dishes.
“Dessert on the upper deck, or would you prefer it served here?” Yara asked.
“Upper deck sounds great,” Ethan said, standing and offering his hand to Priya.
They stepped into the elevator, and when the doors opened on the next deck, Priya stopped in her tracks. The city stretched before them like a titan rising from the water—the CN Tower standing tall against the night, high-rises glittering on either side, and the steady stream of traffic painting light trails along the highway.
As the yacht glided into the harbor, the buildings shimmered like pillars of light. Hazy outlines of other boats appeared around them, and waves lapped at the shore, blending with the distant hum of the city.
“Wow,” Priya whispered, leaning over the railing. Her night out with Ethan was far from the frenzied spectacle she had feared.
“See?” Ethan teased, wrapping his arms around her from behind. “Hanging out with me isn’t so bad.”
They stood quietly admiring the view, soft music streaming through the speakers. Ethan gave Priya a spin, drawing her arms around his shoulders as they slipped into a slow dance.
“Sorry to interrupt,” someone said behind them. They turned to see a man approach. “I’m Chef Marco. I trust the meal was to your liking?”
“Dinner was amazing,” Ethan replied. “We enjoyed every dish.”
“Thank you! It’s truly an honor to have you here, Mr. Knight,” Chef Marco replied. “I’ve prepared something special for dessert. May I present it to you both?”
“Of course,” Ethan agreed.
Chef Marco guided them to a glass-enclosed area with a stunning view of the city. The space was warm and inviting, the table draped in dark linens with a sparkling star motif. A telescope stood aimed at the skies, ready for stargazing. With a practiced hand, he lifted the silver dome on the table, revealing an array of beautifully crafted desserts. Priya let out a soft gasp, which made him beam with pride.
“First, we have a dark chocolate mousse, topped with edible gold leaf and a delicate spun-sugar star,” he explained, pouring warm raspberry coulis over it for a dramatic finish.
“Next, a white chocolate sphere filled with caramel gelato and passion fruit sorbet, designed to mimic the beauty of a starlit pearl,” he said, cracking it open gently with a silver mallet.
“And finally, a raspberry and rosewater panna cotta, handcrafted to resemble the star of my garden this time of the year—a tea rose in full bloom—on a bed of edible flowers.” He sprinkled candied violets on top and stepped back, enjoying their expressions.
“I’m sensing a bit of a star theme,” Ethan said.
“Your presence inspired me,” Chef Marco replied.
“Well, you’ve truly outdone yourself. These desserts are works of art.”
“Almost too beautiful to eat,” Priya added.
The chef smiled and gave a small bow. “Would it be too much to ask for an autograph?” He handed over a napkin and pen.
“Who should I make it out to?” Ethan asked, taking the pen.
