The days following Heather's message felt like a blur, filled with meetings, legal discussions, and mounting anxiety. But on Friday evening, when Amelia saw Ethan's message inviting her to dinner, she felt a surge of excitement she hadn't expected.
Any plans tonight? I thought it was time to celebrate your first week back in action.
You think one week is worth celebrating?
Absolutely. It's all about momentum. Besides, I don't get to take you out as often as I'd like. Lavinia's at 7:30?
Alright, you've convinced me.
When she arrived at Lavinia's, Amelia's eyes scanned the entrance, and there he was. Ethan stood near the doorway, exuding a quiet confidence that only added to his magnetic presence. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit, the fabric hugging his broad shoulders and tapering to his lean waist, emphasizing the strength in his build. His crisp white shirt contrasted sharply against the suit, and the slight stubble on his jaw gave him an edge that was both refined and rugged. His hair was neatly styled, and when he spotted her, his face lit up with a smile that made her heart skip a beat.
Amelia felt her cheeks warm as he took her in, his gaze appreciative. She knew she'd put extra effort into her appearance tonight, choosing a midnight-blue dress that skimmed her curves and fell just above her knees. The delicate fabric shimmered faintly under the low lighting, accentuating her figure without feeling overdone. She had let her hair fall in loose waves over her shoulders, and a hint of confidence returned to her as she watched his eyes linger.
Her heart pounded as he closed the distance between them, a subtle, knowing smile on his lips. There was something undeniably sexy about Ethan—how he carried himself with effortless confidence, the way his eyes held hers like they had all the time in the world, and that barely-there smirk that hinted at more than he was letting on.
"Amelia," he greeted, his voice smooth as velvet. "You look… absolutely stunning."
She felt a flush rise in her cheeks. "Thank you," she replied, a hint of shyness in her tone. "You don't look too bad yourself."
"Oh?" His gaze sparkled with amusement, and he leaned in slightly. "I guess I should dress up more often."
As he offered her his arm, she couldn't help but think how impossibly attractive he was.
They were shown to their table, and soon the conversation flowed easily. Ethan poured them each a glass of wine, raising his in a toast. "To new beginnings."
"To new beginnings," she echoed, clinking her glass against his. She took a sip, savoring the moment. "You're right; this was a good idea. I needed a night out."
"I could tell. You've been carrying a lot on your shoulders lately," he said, leaning forward. "But tonight, there's only one rule: no heavy topics. Just laughter, good food, and a little bit of fun."
"Are you always this determined?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Only when it's something—or someone—worth being determined about," he replied smoothly, his gaze holding hers.
Amelia laughed, feeling a thrill of excitement. "So, how am I doing? Meeting your high expectations?"
"Oh, you're doing just fine." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a murmur. "In fact, I think you're making it hard for me to concentrate."
She smiled, feeling her confidence grow. "Is that so? And here I thought you were all business."
"Who says I can't be both?" He smirked, his eyes dancing with amusement. "You might be surprised, Amelia. I have a lot of layers."
"Do you now?" she replied, mirroring his tone. "I thought I was here to celebrate my first week back, not to unravel the mystery that is Ethan Blackwell."
"Who says we can't do both?" he countered, his expression turning serious for a moment. "Besides, I like seeing this side of you—relaxed, a little more playful."
"Well, I didn't know I had this side anymore," she admitted, her voice softening. "It's been… a long time."
"Then tonight, let's find it again," he said, his gaze holding hers in a way that made her heart race.
Before she could respond, however, her gaze shifted to the entrance, where she saw someone she hadn't expected: David, arm-in-arm with the woman he'd cheated on her with. She stiffened, hoping he wouldn't see them.
Ethan noticed her sudden tension. "Amelia? Everything okay?"
She took a shaky breath. "It's David. And… her."
Ethan's jaw tightened, but his voice was calm. "Do you want to leave? We can go somewhere else."
"No," she said, forcing herself to take a steady breath. "I'm not letting him ruin this for me."
He smiled, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "That's the spirit."
Unfortunately, David spotted them and made his way over, a forced smile plastered on his face. "Ethan! Didn't expect to see you here." His gaze slid to Amelia, and he blinked, visibly surprised. "Amelia… I didn't know you were… here."
"David," she replied coolly, keeping her composure.
The woman by his side smiled tightly, clearly assessing Amelia. "I'm Kendra. David's partner."
Ethan's hand subtly covered Amelia's. "Nice to meet you, Kendra," he said smoothly. "And David… we were just about to order. If you'll excuse us?"
David's eyes narrowed briefly, his gaze lingering on their joined hands before he forced another smile. "Of course. You two… enjoy." He nodded stiffly and led Kendra to a nearby table, but Amelia could feel his eyes darting over to them.
Ethan squeezed her hand gently. "You alright?"
"I will be," she replied, exhaling a shaky breath. "Thank you."
"No need to thank me." He leaned closer, his gaze steady and reassuring. "You're allowed to feel whatever you're feeling right now, but don't let him take this moment from you."
She smiled softly. "You know, you're pretty convincing."
"I'd like to think I'm very convincing." He winked, making her laugh.
They continued their dinner, the tension slowly melting away with Ethan's steady confidence. But David's voice carried over from his table, clearly loud enough for them to hear.
"This place is amazing, isn't it, Kendra?" he said, his tone overly enthusiastic. "Only the best for people who really matter."
Amelia's fingers tightened around her fork, and Ethan immediately reached over, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. "Don't give him the satisfaction," he said softly. "You're better than that."
"Thank you," she murmured, grateful for his steady presence.
"You don't have to thank me. Although," he added, leaning in with a playful smirk, "I wouldn't mind if you did it again later."
"Oh, is that how it is?" she teased, her spirits lifting as she matched his tone. "I didn't know you had an ego that needed stroking."
"Only by certain people," he replied, leaning in just enough for his voice to drop to a warm, intimate tone. "And tonight, that's you."
A small laugh escaped her, her cheeks warming under his gaze. "So, you're saying you brought me here for a little ego boost?"
"Not quite," he said, eyes glinting with playful intensity. "I brought you here to remind you of something important. You deserve more than just a distraction, Amelia. You deserve to feel alive." He held her gaze, the words lingering in the air between them.
She opened her mouth to respond, but his fingers brushed lightly over hers, sending a subtle thrill through her. "I'm serious," he continued, his voice dropping even lower. "It's been a long time since I've met someone who makes me look forward to every single second of the night."
Amelia's breath caught, and she managed a playful smile. "Are you always this relentless?"
"Only when I'm chasing something I really want." His lips curved into a smirk, and his eyes held hers with undeniable heat. "And right now, Amelia, that's you."
She laughed, shaking her head slightly. "Confident, aren't you?"
"Oh, I'm more than confident." He leaned in, his tone dropping into a sultry whisper. "Because I've seen how you look at me too. Don't pretend you don't feel this."
Amelia's cheeks flushed, her heart racing. "I… don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, don't you?" His gaze flicked to her lips, lingering for a heartbeat. "Then why is your pulse racing?"
Caught off guard, she felt a laugh bubbling up. "It is not!"
"Your cheeks are giving you away," he murmured, his thumb brushing her hand. "And for the record, I love seeing you like this."
Their laughter was interrupted as she caught David's lingering gaze from across the room. Amelia turned her attention firmly back to Ethan, resolute in not letting David intrude on her night. Ethan leaned closer, his gaze unwavering.
"You're doing great," he whispered, his voice a soft murmur meant only for her. "And, if I may say so… I'm very impressed."
Amelia's heart skipped a beat. She didn't want to admit how much his words were affecting her. "Good. I wouldn't want to disappoint you."
"Oh, I don't think you could if you tried." His eyes never left hers, his tone becoming almost hypnotic. "And between us… I'm glad I could be here tonight. To remind you what you deserve. To remind you of your own power."
Her pulse quickened at his words. "You really don't hold back, do you?"
"Not when it's something I care about." He paused, his gaze dropping briefly to her lips before returning to her eyes. "And trust me, I care about this very much."
They finished dinner, each lingering moment between them intensifying the charge in the air. When Ethan suggested a walk, Amelia found herself eagerly agreeing, craving the quiet of the night with him by her side.
Outside, the cool night air seemed to heighten every sensation. They strolled along the quiet street, their steps falling into sync. He stayed close, his hand brushing hers as they walked, each touch feeling almost electric.
"Thank you for tonight," she said, glancing up at him. "You have no idea how much I needed it."
"Thank you for saying yes," he replied, his voice softened with genuine warmth. "Amelia, I meant it when I said you're stronger than you realize. And you don't have to face any of this alone."
Her heart swelled, her defenses slipping as she took in his steady gaze. "You make it sound so easy."
"Not easy." He stopped, turning to face her. "But absolutely worth it." He reached for her hand, pulling her closer. "You deserve someone who sees you, all of you, who's captivated by every little thing you think no one notices."
Her breath hitched, her cheeks warming. "Ethan…"
He brought his hand to her cheek, his thumb brushing her skin as he closed the distance between them. "Say the word, Amelia, and I'll stop. But if you feel even half of what I'm feeling right now…"
He leaned in, his lips grazing hers, a kiss both tender and electric. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth of his touch and the thrill racing through her. For the first time, she allowed herself to let go, giving in to the connection sparking between them.
As they pulled back, he smiled, his gaze filled with warmth and something unspoken. "See you tomorrow, Amelia."
She blushed, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah."
As she watched him walk away, a new sense of hope stirred within her. For the first time since her world had fallen apart, she realized she might be ready to open herself up to something new, to let herself feel again. And maybe, just maybe, Ethan was exactly what she needed.