“No need to apologize, dear,” she said, her voice soft and understanding. “You looked a little lost in thought. Everything okay?”
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah, just . . . a lot on my mind, I guess. But nothing bad,” I added quickly, not wanting her to worry.
Caroline studied me for a moment, then reached out to gently touch my arm. “I’m glad you came tonight, Vinnie. It’s been wonderful getting to know you. You’ve been such a positive influence on Ethan.”
Her words caught me off guard, and I felt a sudden rush of emotion. “Thank you,” I said, my voice thick with gratitude. “That means a lot.”
She smiled, a touch of sentimentality in her expression. “I was worried about him for a while. Ethan’s always been a bit shy and reserved, especially when it comes to relationships. But in the past few weeks, I’ve seen him come out of his shell in ways I haven’t seen before, and I think that’s thanks to you.”
My heart swelled at her words. “He means a lot to me,” I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. “I just want to make him happy.”
“You already have,” Caroline assured me, her tone full of warmth. “And that’s all a mother could hope for.”
Just as I was about to respond, Robert walked into the kitchen, his presence breaking the tender moment. “Caroline, you’re not stealing Vinnie away, are you?” he teased, his eyes twinkling with good-natured humor.
She laughed, giving my arm a gentle squeeze before letting go. “Not at all. We were just having a little chat.”
I smiled at them both, feeling a renewed sense of determination. Whatever doubts had lingered, whatever shadows had crept in, I knew one thing for certain—I was all in with Ethan. And I was going to make sure he knew that, too.
Chapter 25
ETHAN HAD DROPPED ME off last night after the bonfire, but he couldn’t stay over. He had an early start at work and was a bit behind on grading papers. As we stood by my front door, his arms wrapped around me in a tight hug, and I felt a twinge of disappointment, but I understood. Life had its demands, and we both had responsibilities.
“You know, I’m blaming you for this,” he said with a playful glint in his eyes, his lips brushing against mine in a lingering kiss.
I frowned, confused. “Blaming me for what?”
“For falling behind,” he teased, grinning. “You’ve been distracting me.”
A wave of guilt washed over me but, before I could apologize, he chuckled and shook his head. “Not really. I’m just teasing, Vinnie. I wouldn’t trade our time together for anything.”
Relief washed over me, and I smiled, leaning into him. “Good. Because I’m not done distracting you.”
He laughed, his warm, rich laughter echoing in the night. “I can’t wait,” he murmured, kissing me again before reluctantly pulling away. “But for now, I need to catch up. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed, standing on my tiptoes to give him one last kiss. “Good luck with the papers.”
As he drove off into the night, I felt a strange mix of emotions. Happiness, contentment, and a growing determination that had kept me up late into the night, planning.
This morning, I woke up with a sense of purpose. Last night, I had made a decision—I was going to tell Ethan I loved him. The realization had hit me like a ton of bricks by the bonfire, and I couldn’t shake the overwhelming need to tell him. But how? I wanted it to be special, something he’d remember. And with Halloween coming up this weekend, the town’s festival seemed like the perfect opportunity. Now I just had to figure out the small details.
While heading to the gallery, I shot a quick text to the girls’ group chat, my fingers flying over the screen.
It didn’t take long for the replies to come in.
I smiled at their quick responses, my heart swelling with affection for my friends. They always had my back, and I knew they’d help me figure out the perfect way to tell Ethan howI felt.
As I was typing out a reply, lost in thought, I didn’t notice the sleek black car parked just outside the gallery, or the man standing beside it, until I collided with him.
The impact jolted me out of my thoughts, and I stumbled back, looking up to apologize. But the words died on my lips as I took in the man standing before me. He was tall, with a commanding presence that made my stomach drop. His sharp features, neatly combed blonde hair, and the familiar intensity in his emerald eyes made my heart skip a beat.
It couldn’t be.
But there he was, standing right in front of me.
Sebastian.
His smile was a mix of charm, and something darker. It was a look that had once made me feel safe but now sent a chill down my spine. As always, he was dressed impeccably, in black trousers, and a beige, relaxed-fit Oxford shirt, with a blazer draped over one arm, and I caught a whiff of his cologne—a clean scent with notes of cedarwood, musk, and pepper. The sight and scent of him brought back a flood of memories, both good and bad, leaving me unsettled.
