The next morning, I was pacing around in my apartment while my mind worked at the concept of what I had in store for Ethan. How would I make him feel again, emotions he had shielded with years of armor? The usual tricks would not work. I needed to devise a plan that would challenge him out of his comfort zone.
I couldn't get Zoe's suggestion out of my head. If I was to make Ethan feel, then he needed to experience something real-something that didn't involve the cold, calculated air of his corporate life.
I imagined a scenario that could work: a day spent outside of the usual boardroom setting. Somewhere casual, away from suits and briefcases, where he could be a little more vulnerable without the weight of expectations. I picked up my phone and dialed Zoe.
"Hey," I said when she answered. "I have an idea for Ethan's next session."
"What is it?" she asked, her voice curious.
I think we need to take him out of his element. No office, no formalities-just a regular day where he can experience the world differently. Maybe a cooking class or something like that."
Zoe chuckled. "You think cooking will help him connect with emotions?
Worth a try! It will make him have to interact with other people, unlike the business man routine. He would have to cooperate, communicate, and put himself out to make mistakes. Plus, there is just something inherently intimate about cooking."
"Okay, I'm in. Just make sure you're ready for the fallout if he decides it's not for him.
I smiled, feeling a sense of hope. "We'll see. It may be a disaster, but it may also be a breakthrough."
***
A week after that, I finally convinced Ethan to take a cooking class with me at a groovy downtown kitchen studio. When I told him about it, he looked at me like I'd suggested skydiving sans parachute.
"Cooking? Are you serious?" he asked, skepticism lining his voice.
"Absolutely," I said, curbing a smile. "Think of it as teambuilding. You'll learn to work with others, and you might even have a little fun."
He crossed his arms, his eyebrows furrowing. "I don't see how this pertains to finding a partner.
It's about learning to interact with people on a personal level, Ethan. You do need to grasp the concept that a relationship isn't about your needs; it is about give and take and learning how to share."
He sighed then and ran a hand through his hair. "Okay, fine. But if I burn something, I'm blaming you.
I giggled with suppressed excitement. "Deal. But I promise you, no one's going to burn anything. Just follow my lead, and you'll be all right."
***
Finally, the evening of the class had arrived, and outside that studio, I couldn't help but feel just a little nervous. This was my very first attempt to break through some of Ethan's walls in a manner that didn't include lectures or hypothetical situations. Would he even be able to let loose, or would he remain his usual stoic self?
Upon his arrival, he still managed to look different from the fitted black shirt and jeans casualness that did little to minimize his sharp features. He led with a tense posture as he stepped into the bright, bustling kitchen full of laughter and chatter.
"Welcome to our cooking class!" the instructor called cheerily, introducing herself and her co-chef. "Tonight we're making homemade pasta and a couple of sauces. Let's get cooking!"
I turned to Ethan, hoping for some spark of enthusiasm. But he was stoic. "I can't believe I'm here," he muttered, shaking his head slightly.
I elbowed him with mine. "Relax. Just think of it like a business meeting—except there's food."
He rolled his eyes, but he stepped forward; his curiosity got the better of him. We moved to a station where the chef began demonstrating how to make pasta from scratch, and I could see a flicker of interest in Ethan's eyes as he watched the process unfold.
"First, we have to mix flour and eggs," he said, gesturing to show how to make a dough. "Who wants to try?"
I smiled at Ethan. "You should do it. After all, you're the one looking for a partner who can cook."
After a moment of hesitation, he went toward the counter. All the other participants urged him on, and I couldn't help but feel a little proud as he combined those ingredients with focus I don't think I've ever seen.
Later in the class, I drew Ethan into engaging with the other participants. At first, he was a bit reserved, focusing on the activity set before him, but he began to open up and join the group interchange with a chuckle now and then.
At one moment, a very eager woman next to him joked that he would eventually have to impress his future partner with his cooking skills. Ethan looked at her in a disbelieving way, but she only laughed to tease him. "What, you are too good for home-cooked meals?"
"Hardly," he said, the dryness of his humor dripping from his voice. "I just prefer takeout."
The giggles from the class loosened up things a bit more, and I could tell Ethan was starting to open up. There was just something nice about seeing him interact with people, his walls slowly crumpling with every conversation.
"See? You're getting the hang of it!" I said, bumping him with my shoulder as we waited for our pasta to boil. "This is how it starts-just simple interactions that build connections."
I suppose it is not the worst way to spend an evening," he said, looking around the room. "Though I'd rather be working."
"Can't you just enjoy the moment?" I argued. "This is your chance for something new, to take a break from the chaos."
Ethan hesitated, then shrugged. "Maybe you're right. I just don't see how any of this helps me find a partner.
Because it's not about finding someone; it's about learning how to connect with people. Think about it: You can't have a relationship without learning how to interact first."
He was thoughtful for a moment; his expression shifted. "I'll give you that: It's definitely another approach."
"Different can be good. Just don't overthink it.
As the night wore on, I found myself getting caught up in the magic of this moment. The laughter from Ethan came more, the smile from him genuine. I had to fight the urge to pinch myself-was I actually seeing this transformation in Ethan Cole?
Halfway through the class, we were divided into pairs to make a sauce. Ethan had been my partner in this challenge, and we both had seemed to dive in almost instantly into strategies to create the best-tasting marinara. Chopping garlic and herbs together, I couldn't help but notice how there would be chemistry just beneath the surface.
"Is this what you do with all your clients?" Ethan asked, sprinkling a pinch of salt into the bubbling liquid with a smirk.
"Only those who need a liberal dose of fun," I replied, smiling back at him. "Besides, it's time someone showed you that it does not have to be work in life always. There is something called enjoyment on these small things."
He paused, looking into me as I stirred the sauce. "You really believe that, don't you?
"Absolutely, life's too short to be all business. You've got to leave some room for joy, for spontaneity, and- dare I say it-for romance."
Ethan's eyebrows drew in just a fraction. "Romance."
"Yeah," I said, still holding his gaze. "It's not all about the grand gesture. Sometimes it's the little things, a shared meal, a real laugh that create real connections.
He regarded me a moment, and I could practically see the wheels working in his head. "And you think that's enough to build a relationship?"
"I do," I said softly. "But it starts with being willing to let someone in."
It was then that the instructor called for everyone to gather around for the final taste test. I felt a pang of disappointment as our moment broke apart, but there was a flicker of something in Ethan's gaze-an acknowledgment, perhaps, of the truth in my words.
We each tasted the other's concoctions, our giggles and playful teasing filling the air. I made a mental note that Ethan got along really well with all other participants, even his laughter less hard to let loose; this huge presence he commanded now was no longer intimidating. It was a different side of him.
But just as I thought we were really getting somewhere, my cell phone vibrated in my pocket. I took it out and glanced down at the screen. It was Zoe, and from what I read, my heart sank.
*Chloe, we gotta talk. Something happened with the finances.*
A shiver of anxiety ran down my spine. "Ethan, I need to take this," I said, taking a step away from the group. I didn't want to be the buzzkill, but something in Zoe's message kept weighing on my mind.
"Is everything okay?" he asked, and his tone showed traces of concern.
"Yeah, just a quick call," I reassured him, moving outside into the cool night breeze. I dialed Zoe back, urgency flooding my chest.
What's wrong?" I asked, my voice low.
"There's a discrepancy in the accounts. I don't know how it happened, but we need to figure it out. I think someone's trying to sabotage us."
"Sabotage?" I echoed, my heart racing. "What do you mean?"
"I'll explain when you get back. Just hurry. I don't want Ethan to know anything's wrong."
"Okay, I'm on my way.
I hung up, feeling anxious. How could this be happening now? Finally, when things with Ethan were starting to break, the very foundations of my business seemed to crumble from beneath my feet.
As I reentered the bustling kitchen, taking a deep breath, a bright smile plastered on my face, Ethan caught my eye and raised an eyebrow. "Everything okay?
Yeah, it's just a small one," I lied, hoping that at least I sounded convincing. "But I think we are about to wrap up this class.
He nodded, but I could see the concern lingering in his eyes. I knew I couldn't let this get in the way of our progress, but a shadow of dread settled into my stomach. I needed to figure this out, but more importantly, I needed to focus on the man standing in front of me.
The class finally dismissed, and people started gathering their things. I turned to Ethan. "You did great tonight. Seriously, I'm impressed."
He smiled, the genuine warmth in his eyes causing my heart to race. "I didn't burn anything, so I consider that a win."
"Exactly!" I laughed, feeling light for the first time in weeks. "But seriously, you're getting the hang of this.
Maybe you're a better teacher than I thought, he said, and his tone was uncharacteristically serious.
Maybe, I said, on a surge of exhilaration. But the true test, of course, will be how you'll conduct yourself when you're out of this kitchen.
He nodded reflectively; his face was sober once more. What now?
I hesitated; the call I'd just had was still fresh in my mind. I think we'll want to continue with some socializing-skills practice. Maybe some more casual outings-dinners, events.
"Right. But I wanna do it without the training wheels, Chloe. I gotta know if I really can connect with a person."
I swallowed hard, my heart racing. "Okay, we can definitely arrange that. Just… be open to the experience."
"I am," he said, his voice fixed.
As we left the studio, the cool night air refreshing and energizing, I couldn't help but feel a bit hopeful for the first time in what felt like forever. Maybe this really was it-we were actually getting somewhere. The problem with my business still loomed over me, however, like a storm cloud ready to rain on my parade at any moment.
My phone started buzzing yet again, and I looked down to find another text from Zoe.
*Chloe, it's worse than I thought. Meet me ASAP.
A knot twisted in my stomach, the fear crawling back. In an instant, I looked up to see Ethan still standing beside me, curiosity etched on his face.
"Chloe?" he tried again, a hint of concern edging into his tone. "Are you positive everything's okay?"
I forced a smile as my heart began to quicken. "Yeah, just a little issue to take care of. But let's go ahead and schedule the next appointment, shall we?
"Of course," he said, though I could tell he wasn't convinced.
I felt the weight of the world upon my shoulders as I walked away. The idea that something might be going seriously wrong in my business, and fast, curled my stomach in cramps.
Because if Zoe was right, then everything I'd built could come crashing down.
And while desperately I wanted to be with Ethan, this impending crisis needed fighting.