Mending Heart |18+|

Chapter 28

Weathering the Storm

"She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her away, she adjusted her sails." – Elizabeth Edwards

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"We'll also share the di Stefano burrata." I smiled, handing the waiter back my menu. When I looked back at Ethan, he was looking at me with amusement in his eyes. "What?" I found myself asking.

The two of us were currently sitting across from each other inside my favorite Italian Restaurant in the city. Osteria via Stato was a hidden gem I didn't know about until Megan started doing marketing for them a couple of years back. She had brought me along with her so we could do a taste test on some of the items on the menu – a lucky perk of her job – and I immediately fell in love with not only the food, but the atmosphere and the friendly staff as well.

I tried to come here as often as I could, and tonight seemed as a good time as any.

"So you come here often?" Ethan asked, scanning the room. We were seated at a table in the corner by the window. The restaurant was dimly lit by small black sconce light fixtures scattered throughout, and the candles blazing at each table. The walls were painted white, except for the wall on the opposite side of the bar which was covered in cobblestone, and the dark wooden beams that adorned the ceiling only added to the ambiance.

"As often as I can." I shrugged, leaning back in my seat. "You remember Megan?"

He nodded, clasping his hands in front of him on the table, an amused smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "She introduced me to this place a couple of years ago. She's the head of marketing for Lettuce Entertain You."

"Then I guess I have Megan to thank for tonight." He flashed me a crooked smile.

"I'm sure she won't object to the praise." I chuckled, shaking my head. Ever since she met him, Megan had been very vocal about how much she liked Ethan and how she thought he was really good for me. She even offered to give me an additional plus one to her wedding so I could invite him.

Looking on it back now, I probably should have accepted her offer – a whole lot of shit could have been avoided.

When our waiter set down our appetizer and the bottle of wine Ethan had ordered, I immediately unfolded my napkin – draping it across my lap, and picked up a piece of fresh bread. Dipping it in the creamy burrata, I lifted the piece to my mouth and was just about to take a bite when I noticed Ethan's gaze fixated on me.

"What?" I asked, suddenly feeling very self-conscious.

"Nothing." He shook his head, eyeing me strangely.

"Do I have something on my face?" I pressed, picking up the napkin and ready to act.

"No, you don't." He rolled his eyes, picking up his glass of wine. "You just look good – happy."

Heat threatened my face with insecurity, and I too picked up my glass of wine. "To being happy," I replied, clicking our glasses. Ethan smiled over the rim of his, while I lifted mine to take a sip – desperate for some kind of distraction from my burning cheeks. 

"So," Ethan said, continuing to hold my gaze while I was busy stuffing my face. "What brought this on, McKenzie?"

"What do you mean?" I finally asked once I finished swallowing. I do have manners after all – at least in public.

"Typically you require some convincing to see me." Although there was a playful smile on his face, the words cut deep and I felt a pang of guilt.

"Yeah well," I sighed, leaning back in my seat."Maybe it's my turn to convince you to see me."