As Emily settled in beside Ethan, my emotions twisted in a complicated knot. I knew Ethan was just being kind. It was in his nature to be considerate, and I liked that about him. But, as she slid her chair closer to his, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being pushed to the side like an afterthought. It was the same way Sebastian used to make me feel—like I was there, but not really seen, and it left a bitter taste in my mouth.
I reached for my glass of wine, taking a longer sip than necessary, trying to drown out the unwelcome comparison. This was different. Ethan was nothing like Sebastian, and I knew that. I needed to stop letting old wounds cloud my judgment. But even so, the sting of it lingered, an uncomfortable reminder of how easily those old insecurities could resurface.
I forced myself to breathe, to focus on the warmth in Ethan’s gaze when he looked at me, the way he’d made me feel special all evening. He wasn’t dismissing me. This was just a minor hiccup, nothing more. I needed to letit go, to trust that this night was still ours, no matter who else tried to join in.
As Emily chatted away, her laughter occasionally ringing out a bit too loud, I stared down at my nearly empty wine glass, swirling the remaining liquid as my mind wandered back to old memories.
Suddenly, I felt the warmth of Ethan’s hand covering mine, his touch bringing me back to the present. His thumb brushed lightly against my skin, and I looked up to find him watching me, concern softening his features.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice gentle, meant only for me, despite the lively atmosphere around us.
The way he looked at me—his eyes full of genuine care—made the tension in my chest ease. It was like he could see right through the facade I was trying to maintain, right to the heart of my worries. The frustration I’d felt moments ago began to melt away under the steady reassurance of his gaze.
I managed a small smile. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I whispered, giving his hand a grateful squeeze in return. “Thanks.”
He didn’t let go, his hand resting on mine, grounding me in the moment. The noise of the bistro, the presence of Emily—it all faded into the background as I focused on the warmth of his touch.
The simple act sent a flutter of nerves through me. Was this just a kind gesture, or did it mean something more? The thought made my pulse quicken, and suddenly I became hyper-aware of everything—how our hands fit together, how his thumb lightly traced a soothing pattern on my skin, and how, despite the noise around us, this felt like the most intimate moment of the night.
I caught myself wondering if my hand was too clammy; a sudden rush of self-consciousness making me want to pull away. But Ethan didn’t let go.If anything, his grip seemed to tighten in a wordless reassurance that told me he was right there with me.
Emily’s eyes flicked to our joined hands, and a flicker of irritation flashed across her face before she quickly masked it with a too-bright smile. “Ethan,” she said, her tone sweet but with a subtle edge, “would you mind grabbing us a couple of drinks? It’s so crowded tonight, and I can’t seem to catch any of the waitresses.” She gestured to the almost empty glass in front of me, a calculated move that forced Ethan’s hand.
He hesitated, his thumb still gently brushing over my knuckles. I could feel his reluctance in the way his fingers lingered against mine, but after a moment, he nodded. “Sure,” he said, giving my hand one last squeeze before letting go, his touch leaving behind a ghost of warmth that I immediately missed.
“I’ll be right back,” he promised. Then, with a final glance over his shoulder, he disappeared into the crowd.
The moment Ethan turned his back, Emily’s smile faded into something sharper, more calculating. She leaned in closer, her perfectly manicured red nails tapping lightly on the table, her voice dropping to a lower, more private tone. “You know, Ethan and I go way back. He’s a really great guy. Always so considerate. He’s helped me out more times than I can count, especially when I needed someone to lean on.”
Her words dripped with a possessiveness that made my stomach twist, and I could feel the old, familiar anxiety creeping in. The kind that reminded me too much of the girls back in Cresden. Those girls who mastered the art of the sharp smile and subtle insult, who could cut you down whilst pretending to be your best friend. The way Emily’s glossy blonde hair framed her face, styled to look effortlessly chic, and the way she leaned in, just close enough to invade my personal space, felt like she was trying to assert some unspoken dominance.
“I’m sure he has,” I replied, doing my best to keep my voice even, though my heart raced. I wasn’t about to let her see how much she was getting to me. “Ethan’s been nothing but kind and thoughtful since I met him.”
Emily’s blue eyes narrowed, the corners of her mouth lifting into a smug smile. “Oh, I’m sure. He’s always been the type to help those who need it. But, just so you know, we have a lot of history together. It’s hard to find someone who knows him as well as I do.”
As she spoke, she adjusted the strap of her low-cut top, a subtle yet pointed reminder of her confidence in her own appeal. She was beautiful, no doubt about it. Blond hair, flawless skin, and a figure she wasn’t shy about flaunting. But it wasn’t her looks that made my chest tighten. It was the way she spoke, as if she was laying claim to Ethan, reminding me she had been in his life long before I showed up.
A flicker of doubt tried to take root, but I pushed it down, reminding myself of what Ivy had told me—Emily had an obsession with Ethan. One that was unreciprocated. Ethan had chosen to spend tonight withme, not her. That had to mean something.
I straightened in my seat. “I’m sure your history means a lot to you, Emily,” I said, my voice steady despite the knot in my chest. “But tonight, Ethan and I are on a date, and I’d really like for us to enjoy it.”
Her smile froze for a split second, eyes flashing with surprise. “A date?” she repeated, as if the word itself was foreign. Her tone was sharp, but she quickly smoothed it over with a forced laugh. “That’s . . . unexpected. Ethan doesn’t usually go on dates.”
The way she said it, like she was pointing out some kind of anomaly, sent a chill through me. But I didn’t flinch. “Well, I guess there’s a first time for everything,” I replied, keeping my voice light even though my heart was pounding.
Just as the tension between us thickened, I caught sight of Ethan weaving through the crowd, two drinks in hand, and that same kind smile on his face. When he reached our table, his eyes immediately found mine. “Here you go, Vinnie,” he said softly, handing me my drink with a warmth that made my heart flutter. For a moment, his gaze lingered on me, as if he could sense something was off.
“Oh, thanks, Ethan,” Emily chimed in as he handed her drink over, but his attention barely flickered her way before he settled back beside me, his knee brushing against mine under the table. The touch was subtle, but it was enough to anchor me in the moment.
Ethan turned to Emily, his smile easy and relaxed. “Oh, by the way, Em,” he began, almost casually, “Larry’s team is missing a member tonight. Since your friends didn’t show up, I offered your help. He’s pretty excited to have you join them.”
Emily’s face fell, the forced cheerfulness slipping for just a moment before she caught herself. Her attention was drawn to the bar, where a group of middle-aged men dressed in old-school rocker clothes were gathered, laughing and chatting loudly. One of them—Larry, I assumed—was already waving her over enthusiastically. The sight of Emily—with her meticulously styled hair and perfectly coordinated outfit—joining that rowdy group, was almost too much, and I bit down on the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.
“Oh, that’s . . .great,” Emily said, her smile strained as she tried to hide her reluctance. She hesitated, clearly torn between making a graceful exit and staying put. But, with Larry still waving her over, she had little choice.
“Have fun,” Ethan added, turning back to our table, already picking up the pen to write our team name on the paper provided. His focus was entirely on us again, leaving Emily no room to argue.
As she gathered her things and stood to leave, she leaned in close to me, her voice barely above a whisper. “This isn’t over,” she murmured, her tone icy as she shot me a sharp look before walking away.
