Page 31 of Jaime
“Yeah? Who? They can come too.”
Just then, Ethan suddenly caught my attention, walking up to us with a smile and flushed cheeks from hurrying. His long, black jacket was open, hands tucked in the pockets. He grinned when our eyes met, and my body flooded with heat.
“Hey, sorry. Hope you weren’t waiting long,” he said as he reached me. He didn’t kiss me, but I got the impression he would have if I’d been standing here alone, and I was hit with disappointment. For two days leading up to this date, I’d been on edge wondering how Ethan would be with me, or how Iwantedhim to be with me. Now I knew. I wanted his lips and hands and eyes on me.
I bit my lip.
“I just got here,” I said, swallowing under his sharp gaze.
“Alright, I’ll leave you two to it,” Mark suddenly said, reminding me that he was still there. He smirked and then walked away, snickering. I watched him go, my heart hammering.
Was this what it felt like to get outed accidentally?
Considering I’d only had a few days to even come around to the fact that I wanted a man, I wasn’t sure how to feel about it.
Ethan’s hand landed on my back.
“You okay?” he asked, and I found myself leaning into his comforting touch, forgetting everything else.
“Yeah,” I said, “I am.”
Except for the fact that I’d missed out on that kiss I wanted.
If I had any bit of courage, I would have leaned in and kissed him myself. But my feet were fused to the ground, and I couldn’t bring myself to do anything other than stare at him.
His hand slid up, then down my spine and I nearly purred.
“Come on,” he said, and his hand slipped down to my wrist, holding it.
The confident way he led me toward the door eased any concern I had. The fact that Ethan always knew what he was doing was comforting. Just like the other night, it felt relaxing to let him take the lead.
Inside Lupo Ristorante, the lights were dim and artfully aimed at the bricks on the wall and the glass tabletops.
It was a beautiful space, but I didn’t take much notice of it all. Ethan held my attention.
As we were led to our table where a candle had been lit and dishes and cutlery already placed, Ethan finally released me. I sat across from him, not paying any attention as the server listed the wines and specials.
Ethan must have sensed my desire to leave it all to him, because he ordered us a bottle, and appetizer, his gaze drawn to mine every couple of seconds.
“You look amazing,” he said, leaning across the table the moment the waiter walked away.
Relief and warmth swept through me.
“Thanks,” I muttered, and Ethan reached across the table.
Without thinking, I took his hand, shivering as he stroked a thumb over my knuckles, gazing into my eyes.
“I’m glad you agreed to come to dinner,” he said. “I was worried I wouldn’t see you again.”
“I was worried about that too,” I admitted.
Apparently, that was the right thing to say, because his smile made my insides flutter with excitement.
“How is Evie?” he asked.
“Good. I may be imagining it, but she seems happier than before. She fusses less. Still isn’t used to being left in the crib, but she’ll come around I’m sure.”
“She will,” Ethan agreed. “And what about you? Are you starting to adjust? Figuring things out?”
