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Knowing how honest and sincere Ethan was only made it more difficult to use my compelling magic on him. My eyes cast down to my feet, pressing them shut as I tried to block out the feeling.

The sound of Ethan’s quick steps approaching pulled me from my mind's depths. Ethan ran toward me, that genuine smile spreading across my face. I smiled back, wider than I meant for it to be.

Handsome as usual, I thought.

Warmth bloomed in my chest as he threw up a wave, but I pushed the thoughts down as quickly as they came. I could sense the same nervous energy from him as the other night.

At least he’s consistent, I thought, not like Layne. With him, I never knew the mixed bag of emotions I would get.

My gaze glided over his face and body, and I couldn't help but notice how attractive he was outside of the lighting of the bar. Although he looked a bit more tired than last time, his olive skin slightly paled. His green eyes glinted under the neon sign, a solid choice against the white of his shirt.

“Hi,” he said, pausing to catch his breath. “You’re here!”

He’s surprised?

“Should I not be?” I laughed, raising my brow. “Don’t answer that, first question…did you run here or?”

“Yeah, well…no, not entirely.” He grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. “So, my original plan was to be calm, cool, and casual, but then I told myself I am neither of those things.” He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. “So now I’m here early and out of breath.”

I should compel him just to relax, I thought. I’d be doing him a favor.

I laughed genuinely, something he seemed to get out of me quite often. “Well,” I paused, my eyes gazing up at him as he smiled back at me. “Either way, I’m glad you’re here.”

The tension in his body eased. “Me too. You ready?”

Never.

“Always,” I said.

The majority of shops, like the Pike Place Fish Co. and other artisanal vendors, had already left for the day. But there were still plenty of people roaming around, and the floors below held lots of different restaurants and shops that were still open.

It was an odd feeling being here with Ethan. Pike Place Market was a special place. Somewhere that Dad, Mom, and I spent countless hours together at, both when I was growing up and as an adult.

Ethan and I both laughed as we passed Rachel the piggy bank—a massive bronze pig that gleamed under the market lights, worn smooth by decades of tourists and locals rubbing her nose for good luck. Even now, I was tempted to do the same, needing as much of it as I could get.

Following the trail of bronze coins embedded in the concrete floor, we found ourselves next to the empty Fish Market stand. During the day, it was packed with people waiting for the fishmongers' famous toss. The epitome of Seattle’s touristy attractions, but it had always been Dad and I’s favorite.

As we moved through the market, the slow drift of an acoustic guitar found us, and Ethan's face lit up with excitement.

“Come on!” he beamed, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the music.

His sudden touch made my breath catch, and the warmth of it ignited something that I immediately doused. When was the last time a man held my hand like this?

Together, we searched for the music, running through the stalls and laughing as we almost collided with stray passersby.

We finally found him strumming his guitar near the flower vendor area. A few people had stopped to listen, but most walked past, too busy to notice.

My gaze drifted to Ethan’s face, watching that damn grin widen with glee as he listened. It lingered for far longer than it should have, and I ripped it away as soon as the song was over and we clapped for the musician.

“That was awesome, right? Big fan of music,” he said, throwing some dollars in the musician's hat before we headed for the stairwell that led downstairs.

Ethan pointed toward the stairs. “Ever been down there?” He shook his head, catching himself. “Of course you have, you’re a native, right?” he asked.

I haven’t been since I died, so…

“Yeah, I am, but haven’t been since I was a kid,” I lied, not wanting to kill his excitement.

Ethan smiled, excited by the prospect of refreshing my memory. “Awesome! I’ve been dying for a chance to come here. I’ve only been in Seattle for a year, and haven't really explored much.”