Page 53

Ethan chuckled, and despite the embarrassment, he needed the boost of confidence. “Thanks, Joyce.”

His gaze returned to the clock. 4:58 PM. Close enough, he thought. Ethan grabbed his bag and headed for the door.

“Good luck!” Joyce called excitedly, her voice trailing behind him as he rushed out the door.

The bus ride home felt endless today, slogging along Western Ave, leaving him with nothing but time to ruminate over every possible fuck up that could happen tonight. He was overthinking, yet again.

Relax…

He rested his forehead against the window, watching as the city blurred past. Thoughts of Evie swirled in his mind, a smile tugging at his mouth.

Ethan couldn't stop thinking about the way her blue eyes had lit up that night, nor did he want to. Despite his awkward rambling, she seemed to think he was funny. That had to mean something—right?

Honestly, he was proud of himself. He had gone way out of his comfort zone. Even though he was pretty certain he’d been drunk from the whiskey, he didn't think he’d made too much of a fool of himself.

It was probably best to avoid drinking this time, though. He didn't want another situation where he spilled his guts.

What was that about anyway? It had been so strange, like his mouth and brain’s connection was severed, and the words were yanked from his mind.

Clearly, he needed to control himself better, because why the hell did he bring up the news about Jake? Yeah, name-drop your dead boss…dumbass.

Ethan cringed. Evie’s face had clearly changed after that. The glass fogged from his heavy sigh.

What if she’s completely playing me and doesn’t even show? Ugh, shit.

Ethan shook his head. No. No. Overthinking again, he wouldn’t allow himself to keep doing that.

Teddy greeted him as soon as he walked into his apartment, meowing loudly as she wound between his legs. “Long day of work for you, huh?” Ethan cooed, scratching her between her ears. She purred with pleasure, nestling her head against his hand.

Trotting toward the kitchen, her tail high behind her, she stared blankly back at Ethan as she sat next to her food bowl.

“Ah, yes, of course. Food first, then love.” He filled her bowl with food, talking to her mindlessly like he did every day after work. Except this was a new topic for both of them. “I’m meeting Evie tonight. The girl from the other night…”

Teddy tilted her head back at him, green eyes glimmering in the sunset as she crunched her food loudly as if to say, Tell me more.

Ethan sat back on his couch, staring up at the ceiling. “Evie’s…well, I’m not really sure how I would describe her. I mean, she’s fucking beautiful for one,” he said wistfully.

His gaze fell to the notebook that sat open on his writing desk. After that night at The Gray Gull, he'd written something for the first time in a year. It wasn't much, just a few lines, but it had come so easily. Like whatever wall he’d built up finally cracked a little.

“She’s got these breathtaking eyes that feel like she's staring into your soul. But, like, in a good way. I think.”

Teddy stopped eating and purred softly. “I’m sensing judgment…” Ethan replied. She meowed before turning away to finish off the last of her food.

Ethan pushed himself up from the couch and glanced at the time on his phone. 5:32 PM.

Okay. Shower. Clothes. Leave by 6:30. I got this.

As he threw open his closet, any semblance of encouragement he’d created for himself died. There weren’t that many options, and the ones he did have instilled zero confidence.

Not only was he second-guessing his entire wardrobe, but he wasn't even sure if this was a date or just a friend thing. Not to mention, he wasn’t even sure if she’d actually show up.

Oh fuck me…

It wasn’t even something he considered until now. Was it a date? It felt like it could be a date, but also, friends grab food at Pike Place, too. It was a very normal thing to do.

Yeah, but friends don't make your heart race like this, he thought, pressing his eyes shut and exhaling slowly through his mouth.

He needed to give himself some grace. The hardest part of talking to a stranger was done. Resetting his expectations was really what he needed to do. Whether she would be a friend or more, he enjoyed being around her, and that's all he needed to focus on right now.