Caroline waved him off, her smile growing. “Oh, nonsense. You just need to come out of your shell a bit. There’s nothing embarrassing about liking someone and being open about it.” She turned back to me with a wink. “He’s always been shy about these things.”
“You’re not helping, Mom,” Ethan sighed, shaking his head, but unable to hide the small, embarrassed smile tugging at his lips.
Lily, ever the bundle of energy, nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah! He says you’re really cool, but he gets all shy and blushes whenever we talk about you!” she said with a mischievous grin, enjoying her brother’s embarrassment. “It’s so funny, his face turns all red like a tomato!”
Ethan’s face flushed even deeper as Lily’s teasing hit home. “Alright, alright, time to get you two home,” he said. “It’s getting late, and I’m sure Lily is tired.”
Caroline, however, wasn’t about to let him off that easily. She stopped, turning back to me with a warm smile. “Before we go, Vinnie, you should stop by for dinner one night. We’d love to have you over.”
Ethan shot his mother a look of mock desperation. “Mom, maybe we should let Vinnie breathe before bombarding her with invites.”
“Oh, hush, Ethan. It’s not overwhelming to invite someone for a nice meal.” Caroline waved him off with a playful grin. “Vinnie, consider this an official invitation. I make a lasagna that’s been known to change lives.”
Lily jumped in, her excitement renewed. “Yes! Please come, Vinnie! It’ll be so much fun!”
Touched by their genuine warmth, I smiled. “I’d love to. Thank you so much for the invitation.”
Caroline’s face lit up. “Fantastic! We’ll sort out the details soon. Now, let’s get this little monkey to bed.” She ruffled Lily’s hair affectionately.
Lily giggled, giving both Ethan and me tight hugs again. “Goodnight, Vinnie! See you soon!”
“Goodnight,” I replied, hugging her back.
Lily gave one last enthusiastic wave before bouncing out the door, her unicorn onesie trailing behind her like a cape. Caroline followed, casting a final warm smile in my direction. Ethan walked them to the end of the driveway, where they lingered for a moment, exchanging a few quiet words that I couldn’t hear. Caroline glanced back at me once more, her expression filled with approval, before she and Lily turned and made their way down the street toward their home.
Ethan stood there for a moment, watching them go, then turned back to me, a sheepish look on his face as he walked back up the steps. “Sorry about that,” he said. “My family can be a bit . . . much. You really don’t have to come for dinner if you’re not up for it. I know they can be overwhelming.”
I laughed, stepping closer to him, the cool night air brushing against my skin. “Ethan, don’t apologize. Your family is wonderful. And it’s sweet how much they care about you.”
His shoulders relaxed as he looked at me, his eyes searching mine. “You really don’t mind? I just don’t want you to feel pressured.”
“Not at all. I’m looking forward to it.” I shook my head, a smile tugging at my lips.
Ethan’s expression softened and he stepped closer. “I’m glad to hear that.”
We stood there for a moment, the night settling around us, the air charged with a gentle, unspoken tension. The street was quiet, save for the distant hum of crickets, and the glow from the streetlights cast soft shadows across Ethan’s face. He had pulled out all the hair clips and bows the minute Lily was gone but I could still see the lingering glitter in his hair.
“Thank you for tonight,” he said, his voice low and sincere. “I really enjoyed it.”
“Me too,” I replied, my voice just as soft.
He smiled, the kind of smile that reached his eyes and made my heart flutter. “I’m really glad you’re here, Vinnie.”
“I’m glad, too,” I whispered, the space between us shrinking until I could feel the warmth of his breath on my skin.
Ethan’s smile lingered, his eyes locked on mine, and the air between us shifted, growing warmer, more charged. My heart began to race, each beat echoing in the quiet of the night as the space between us shrank further. His gaze flickered down to my lips, then back up to my eyes, as if silently asking for permission.
I didn’t hesitate. Without a word, I closed the remaining distance between us, my breath hitching as his soft lips brushed against mine. It was a tentative kiss at first, gentle and unhurried, as though we were both savoring the moment we’d been dancing around for so long.
Ethan’s hand came up to cradle my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against my skin, and the tenderness in his touch melted away any lingeringnerves. I leaned into him, deepening the kiss as my hands instinctively rested against his chest. His heart was pounding beneath my fingertips, matching the rhythm of my own.
The kiss was sweet, but there was a slow-burning intensity beneath it, a chemistry that had been building between us from the start. His lips were warm and soft, moving with a quiet confidence that sent warmth flooding through me. Ethan’s other hand slipped around my waist, pulling me closer, until there was nothing between us but the steady thrum of our hearts.
When we pulled back, it was only because we needed to breathe, our foreheads resting against each other as we caught our breath. His eyes were half-lidded, his expression soft and content, and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“That was worth the wait,” he murmured, his voice husky.
“Definitely worth the wait,” I agreed, my voice barely above a whisper.
