When Ethan opened the door, his warm smile instantly put me at ease, and the smell of something delicious wafted out from behind him, making my stomach rumble in anticipation. He looked relaxed, dressed in a simple dark Henley that hugged his chest just right, paired with worn jeans that clung to his lean hips.
“Hey,” he greeted, stepping forward and pulling me in for a kiss. His lips lingered on mine for a moment, sending a rush of warmth through my veins, and the simple gesture had me feeling giddy, a smile already spreading across my face as I stepped inside.
We reached the living room, and I was immediately struck by the romantic setting. The soft, amber glow of candlelight danced across the walls, casting flickering shadows that seemed to sway in rhythm with the gentle crackling of the fireplace.
A small wooden table, that usually was in his kitchen, now stood at the heart of the room and, in its center, was a bouquet of fresh roses, the scent of the blossoms mingling with the subtle fragrance of the candles.
Everywhere I looked, there was evidence of Ethan’s thoughtfulness. A bottle of red wine stood uncorked on the table, with two glasses set beside it, catching the light and gleaming like jewels.
“This is beautiful,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I took it all in. My heart swelled with appreciation for the effort he’d put into tonight, and I looked back at him, my curiosity piqued. “I’m dying to know what you’re cooking.”
Ethan’s eyes sparkled with a playful glint as he led me further into the room. “Well, I did warn you—I’m not much of a cook. But I make a decent spaghetti Bolognese and, tonight, that’s what’s on the menu.”
I laughed, feeling the tension of the day begin to melt away. “That sounds perfect.”
We settled at the table and, Ethan watched me as I took my first bite. The pasta was cooked to perfection, the sauce rich and flavorful, and the entire dish was clearly made with care and attention.
“This is really good,” I said, savoring the taste. “You weren’t kidding when you said you were good at this.”
Ethan’s smile widened, a blend of pride and relief in his expression. “Glad you think so. It’s one of the few things I know how to make without burning down the kitchen. Though, I did have to call my mom for a refresher to make sure I got it just right.”
I chuckled, warmth spreading through me at the thought of him wanting everything to be perfect. “Well, you’ve definitely mastered it. Tell your mom she’s taught you well.”
“I wanted tonight to be special for you,” he said, his voice tender. “I know the gallery has been stressing you out, and I just wanted you to relax. Let someone else take care of you for a change.”
His words wrapped around my heart. “Thank you, Ethan. This means more to me than you know.”
He reached across the table, taking my hand in his, the warmth of his touch grounding me. “You’ve been working so hard, Vinnie. You deserve to enjoy this moment. The gallery is going to be amazing, and you’ve done everything you can to make it perfect.”
“I hope so. It feels like everything is finally coming together, but I can’t help but feel a little anxious.” I nodded, feeling nerves flutter in my stomach.
Ethan’s expression grew more serious, though there was still a hint of humor in his eyes. “There’s something I should warn you about. My dad’s coming to the opening tomorrow.”
I looked at him in surprise. “Your dad?”
He nodded, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. “Yeah, my mom hasn’t stopped talking about you, and Lily’s been talking nonstop about that Taylor Swift sleepover idea ever since you mentioned it to her. My mom’s just thrilled to see both of her kids so happy, and now my dad’s curious to meet the woman who’s got all of us wrapped around her finger.”
“I’d love to meet him,” I said through the butterflies stirring in my stomach.
“Trust me,” he said with a reassuring smile, squeezing my hand gently. “He’s going to love you. And hey, if you can handle Lily’s energy, you’ve already won him over.”
Chapter 22
DINNER HAD BEEN A SUCCESS and, as we began to clear the table, I reached for the plates, but Ethan gently caught my wrist, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
“Oh no, you don’t,” he teased. “Tonight, you’re supposed to relax, remember? Let me take care of it.”
I rolled my eyes, laughing softly. “I appreciate the gesture, but I’m not about to let you do all the work.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow, enjoying the playful banter. “I had a whole plan, you know—wine, a good meal, and absolutely no work for you. But, if you insist . . .” He handed me a dish towel, our fingers brushing.
“I like doing this with you. It’s nice.” I said, smiling as I dried the dishes
“Nice, huh?” he echoed, his voice teasing as he handed me a plate. “That’s not quite what I was goingfor, but I’ll take it.”
I laughed, nudging him with my hip. “Fine, it’s more than nice. It’s . . . comfortable. Like we’re just . . . doing life together. It feels good.”
Ethan’s grin turned wicked as he leaned in closer. “But you know,” he murmured, his voice dropping to a playful tone, “if you really want to help, I can think of a few things that are a lot more fun than dishes.”
