Page 59 of Ethan

Ethan: See you there.

Me:

Ethan: Oh, yum. Covered in kisses.

Me: I could survive solely on the feel of your lips.

Ethan: Swoon. See you at 6:30.

I didn't have time to go home for a quick shower. I would need my bowling shoes, though. I didn't like to rent shoes at the alley unless I absolutely had to.

I drove quickly and nipped into my house, then took the highway to Langford. It was a route I knew well. One practice and one game a week meant I was at this bowling alley often.

It felt significant to let Ethan into this part of my life.

Ethan was waiting outside the doors when I pulled up. As usual, he took the breath right out of me. The beaming smile he directed at me rolled through me like a shockwave.

"After you." I held the door open for him.

"Thank you, kind sir," Ethan teased then leaned against me as we stepped into the foyer. "Well, this is slightly overwhelming. I don't remember it being so noisy."

I rubbed his back.

"Let's get you some shoes and pay for a few games. Best out of three?"

"You're pretty funny, you know that?" Ethan stroked my arm. "I'll be lucky if I hit anything other than the pin things in the lane next to ours."

"You'll do fine. I'll help you."

After we were organized, we found our lane and set up. We put on our shoes, and I placed my ball in the ball return. Ethan raised his eyebrows at me. "What? I have my own ball."

"You take this seriously."

"Not tonight. Tonight is about fun. I'll take the first turn, so you can see how to do it."

Ethan snickered, patted my chest, and seated himself as I lifted my ball and bowled a strike. He was up, smiling, and springing on his toes when I turned back to him. I could see by the look on his face, he wanted to kiss me. Instead, he bounded up to me and clung to my biceps.

"That was so sexy."

I laughed and shook my head. "You're a funny one."

"Okay. My turn." That's not how it worked. I still had one more throw in my frame. But there was no reason in the world that we needed to play by the rules. Not tonight. Not with Ethan.

Ethan lifted a ball from the return. "Help me."

The entire game was comical. It really was. Ethan was not a natural. His ball spent more time in the gutter than anywhere else. Failing badly didn't put him off. He'd squeal and leap around, clinging to me whenever he hit even one pin. I don't think I've ever smiled so hard.

Ethan leaned his back against my chest as his ball made its lazy way down the lane. He squirmed against me. "Maybe I shouldn't have worn slinky manties tonight."

I purred against his neck. "Which ones are you wearing?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Ethan laughed. "They're riding up on me."

"Two minutes in the bathroom and I could free them from your perfect ass."

Ethan groaned. "Don't tempt me."

"Daniel?"

---