It had been a week since their weekend getaway, a week filled with quiet glances, stolen moments, and a deepening connection that neither Lila nor Ethan could ignore. They had been navigating the blurry lines of their new relationship with an unspoken understanding, but Ethan knew it was time to give their bond the definition it deserved.
Friday evening, he invited her to dinner at a quaint, intimate restaurant nestled in the heart of the city. It wasn't extravagant—Ethan knew Lila well enough to understand that she appreciated sincerity over grand gestures.
She arrived a little after 7 p.m., wearing a simple yet elegant black dress that hugged her figure. Her hair was loosely tied back, and her face lit up when she saw him standing near the entrance, waiting for her.
"You're punctual," she teased as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.
"Only because I didn't want to risk you waiting on me," he replied, holding the door open for her.
The restaurant was warm and inviting, with soft lighting and gentle music that created a cozy atmosphere. They were seated at a corner table, away from the bustle of other diners.
"Wine?" Ethan asked, picking up the menu.
"Red," Lila said with a smile. "It's been a long week."
As they waited for their drinks, their conversation flowed effortlessly, as it always did. They talked about work, shared jokes, and reminisced about old memories. But beneath the surface, Ethan was planning his words carefully.
When their entrées arrived, he finally broached the topic.
"Lila," he began, his voice soft but steady, "I've been thinking about us. About where we're heading."
She looked up from her plate, her expression curious. "Okay," she said, encouraging him to continue.
"We've been through a lot together," he said, reaching across the table to take her hand. "And this... what we have now, it feels right. More than right, actually. It feels like everything I didn't know I was missing."
Her lips parted slightly, but she didn't interrupt him.
"I don't want to keep skating around what we already know," he continued. "I want us to be more. Officially. I want you to be my girlfriend."
Lila's breath caught, and for a moment, she just stared at him. Then a smile began to spread across her face, slow and genuine.
"You're serious?" she asked, her voice tinged with both surprise and excitement.
"Completely," Ethan said, squeezing her hand. "I've never been more certain of anything in my life."
Lila's heart swelled as she searched his face, finding nothing but honesty and affection in his eyes. She had been so cautious, so guarded for so long, but Ethan had a way of breaking down her walls without even trying.
"Yes," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll be your girlfriend."
The relief and joy on Ethan's face were almost overwhelming. He grinned, lifting her hand to his lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles.
"You have no idea how happy that makes me," he said, his eyes shining.
"I think I do," Lila said with a soft laugh, her own cheeks aching from smiling so much.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of laughter and quiet moments filled with unspoken promises. By the time they left the restaurant, the city lights casting a golden glow around them, they felt like they were walking on air.
As they reached her apartment building, Ethan pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her waist.
"You know," he said, his voice low and playful, "being official means I get to do this whenever I want now."
Before she could respond, he leaned down and kissed her, slow and deep, his hand resting on the small of her back. Lila melted into him, her hands clutching the front of his jacket as if to anchor herself.
When they finally pulled apart, she rested her forehead against his, her heart pounding. "I think I'm going to like this official thing," she murmured.
Ethan chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Me too."
They stood there for a moment longer, wrapped in each other's warmth, before Lila finally stepped back.
"Goodnight, Ethan," she said, her voice soft.
"Goodnight, girlfriend," he replied, his grin widening as she rolled her eyes playfully.
As she disappeared into the building, Ethan walked away with a newfound lightness in his step, ready to face whatever came next with her by his side.