Dear Ethan: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 21: Blush

[Gracie Abrams - Close To You]

*Jodie*

After dropping off the bags in Ethan's car we pushed through the black and white doors.

"Welcome to Sephora!" said a smiling beauty advisor by the door. 

She had on magenta lipstick and her face was powdered to perfection. I smiled back at her before grabbing a basket. Ethan followed behind me, his eyes huge. 

It was clearly his first time. A Sephora virgin. I smirked.

He followed me around the aisles before I added a tube of mascara to my basket. His large hand reached over to the display case and picked up an eyelash curler off the top shelf. "What is this?"

I couldn't help but laugh at his confused expression. He looked at it like it was invented by aliens. "It's for your eyelashes. I placed it between my fingers to show him. 

 He nodded slowly and did the same thing although he struggled to grip it properly with his large fingers.

He shrugged. "I grew up with a brother. And my mom never wore makeup."

I set it down and went over to the other aisle. This was a restock day. I grabbed my favorite foundation and concealer before picking up a contour kit I'd been eyeing for a while.

Ethan examined a blush stick curiously. "Is this lipstick?"

"It's for your cheeks," I explained. "Here, sit." I motioned for Ethan to sit down on the chair by the vanity tables set up in the middle of the store. This was reserved for clients who wanted makeovers but no one was around. I took the stick from him and told him to close his eyes. He sat down slowly.

"Do you trust me?" I said, setting my basket on the floor before popping the top off.

"No," He replied deadpanned. He said it so fast that it made me laugh out loud.

"Close your eyes," I watched as Ethan slowly shut his eyes, his long lashes framing his handsome face. My heart did a weird flutter. When he was looking at me, I could only steal glances at him but now with his eyes closed I could really drink him in.

He was so beautiful. His dark hair was in loose waves under his ball cap, Full dark eyebrows, long dark lashes, strong jawline. Full pink lips.

I bit my lip. Keep it together. And drew a streak of pink across both of his cheekbones before blending it in with my ring finger. His skin was so soft and smooth. And warm.

"Jodie?" He opened his eyes, his voice was low and husky. I looked back at him. And before I knew it I was drowning in a sea of turquoise. They pinned me down, leaving me breathless.

"How does it look?" He said blinking, turning to glance over at the mirror. My heart was racing like crazy as I wiped the product off my fingers with some tissues.

I swallowed hard. "It looks good."

He peered at his reflection, touching his cheek. "It's a lot less noticeable than I thought." My laughter came out a little strangled. "You probably need a darker shade. This one is pretty light."

"Is this the one you're wearing? Your cheeks look kind of pink." He said, eyeing me curiously.

I could hear Sam's voice in my head going "I'm dead! I'm deceased!"

Except I actually wanted to be dead. Buried six feet in the ground so Ethan couldn't see me blushing anymore.

-

We grabbed a late lunch in the food court afterward, splitting up to forage before sharing a booth. Ethan's tray was loaded with a plate of souvlaki chicken and rice with roasted potatoes plus a chicken salad while I got a burger with fries. I groaned as I bit into the fry and Ethan looked at me smiling. Delicious carbs.

"That looks really good," He said.

"I'm not sharing the burger but you can have a few of my fries," I said as my stomach growled. It was already mid-afternoon. Shopping always made me hungry.

He chuckled. "I'm on a strict diet but I guess this can be my cheat day." He grabbed a few fries off my tray but instead of eating them, he sprinkled them over top of his salad.

I laughed, drawing a quizzical look from him. "I used to do that all the time. Toss some chips over a salad. I liked the crunchy bits." He grinned back at me, spearing some lettuce along with a fry.

"I used to do that too. But now they have me on a whole healthy meal plan. Just don't tattle on me." He rolled his sleeves up and I peeked a tattoo across his wrist.

"What are those numbers for?" I said while I took another bite of my burger. He followed my gaze and showed me his wrist. They were a series of Roman numerals. "That was the day we won the Superbowl." He said while chewing.

"I didn't take you for the type that got tattoos." I always saw Ethan as the clean-cut guy but people can change and it's been ten years.

"I'm not but once you get one it's hard to stop," He said grinning up at me as he dove into his food again. He pointed at his right bicep while chewing. "I have one with a rose on my arm for my mom and another one for Mason on the back of my neck. Little angel wings. I got those after college."

"Wow, three tattoos. Who are you?"

He didn't reply as he shoveled more food into his mouth.

I stole another glance at him while he was eating. Even in that hoodie and vest, you could tell he was built. I wondered what he looked like naked and what his other tattoos looked like.

The thought raced through my head so fast that I choked on a fry and went over to pull the tab on my Coke to wash it down but the can exploded instead, getting the table all wet.

I flinched. I made a big mess. 

I felt my insides tightening, recoiling.

A series of images passed through my mind. My mom's angry bloodshot eyes, her hand slapping my face before telling me to clean up my mess. Telling me I was hopeless, dirty, a pain to have around.

My hands reached for the napkins but Ethan beat me to it, calmly wiping up the spill.

"I'll get us some more towels." He said getting up. He didn't look fazed at all. And when he finished cleaning up the mess, he started telling me about the guys on the football team until my heart rate finally calmed down. I half listened while eating.

For once there were no repercussions. For once I felt calm. 

***********************

I've had this Gracie Abrams song stuck in my head all week and it seemed like the perfect accompaniment for this chapter. 

Remember to vote for this chapter if you want to see more Jodie and Ethan!