Book 2: What Happens Here - Chicago (What Happens Here Series)

Chapter 26 - Ethan

When they had arrived at E&D, it pleased Ethan to see the look of awe on Jasmine's face, and when she'd said, "Ethan...this is incredible. I'm so proud of you babe", Ethan's chest had filled with pride. It had meant a great deal to him that she was proud of him because her opinion of him, and what he'd accomplished, meant the world to him. After he'd opened the door for her, and helped her out of the truck, he'd entwined their fingers as he'd said, "Welcome to E&D Landscaping! Come on.... and let me introduce you to my crew."

When they entered the building, several of the employees and a few of the customers greeted him with either a "Hey E" ...or a "Welcome back Ethan", and he'd introduced Jasmine to everyone as they made their way towards his office. After introducing Jasmine to the rest of the E&D crew, Ethan read a few emails and signed a few documents before saying goodbye to everyone. Heading back to his truck, Ethan opened the door for Jasmine and helped her inside. After sliding back behind the wheel, he reached over and laced their fingers before lifting her hand to kiss her palm.

Before heading home, Ethan decided to take a detour, and he headed to the Shops at North Bridge so that he could buy Jasmine a few things since she'd be staying with him for a few weeks. He'd had to damn near strongarm her into allowing him to pay for her things, and when she'd reluctantly given in, with the promise to pay him back for the things that he'd bought, he'd simply kissed her and smiled. There was no way in hell that he'd ever allow her to pay for anything, as long as she was with him.

What Jasmine didn't know was that Ethan had more money than he could ever spend, and with his business being so successful, and the chemical that he developed being patented, he definitely was not hurting for money. After their shopping excursion, he showed Jasmine the famous Skydeck at the top of Willis Tower, and he'd laughed at how she'd appeared to be like a kid seeing things of wonder for the first time. He loved how she was excited by the things that he showed her, because he wanted to show her everything that his hometown had to offer. Maybe if she fell in love with his city, she'd want to eventually move there and make a life with him.

After a few hours of shopping, and sightseeing, Ethan decided to take her to one of his favorite restaurants, Portillo's. He knew that they had the best hot dogs, and salads, and Ethan wanted to share that with her. Jasmine had ordered a chili cheese dog, while Ethan had ordered a Char-grilled polish, and they'd shared a basket of fries. Once they'd left the restaurant, and headed back to Ethan's truck, Ethan looked down at Jasmine and saw that she had a huge smile on her face. Damn, she was beautiful. Chuckling he said, "What's that look for?" Snuggling up against his side, she said, "I just love you, that's all." He smiled, and said, "I love you too baby. Are you enjoying yourself?"

Jasmine nodded her head, and said, "Are you serious? Today has been amazing Ethan." Seeing the joy on Jasmine's beautiful face, made Ethan happy, but when she suddenly stopped, and turned to face him, he frowned as he said, "What's wrong?" Her smile slowly faded and was replaced with a look of astonishment as she said "There is nothing wrong. In fact, everything is absolutely perfect." The smile that she gave him in that moment made his heart skip in his chest, and he smiled as well when she said, "I am so happy Ethan. Thank you for showing me your town, and for just being you. I love you so much."

Ethan pulled Jasmine against him, and when she tilted her head back to look up at him, he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss to her lips. It was Jasmine that deepened the kiss, and when she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, they kissed one another as if no one else existed. And in that moment, no one else did.

After a few moments, they were interrupted by an older man that said, "Get a room!" Breaking the kiss, Jasmine tucked her head into Ethan's chest, and he chuckled as he said, "Hey, what can I say...we're in love!" The older man looked back over his shoulder at them and smiled before he shook his head and walked away. Laughing, Ethan kissed the top of Jasmine's head, and they held hands as they walked to Ethan's truck and after jumping back on the highway, Ethan headed towards his home in East Lincoln Park.

Once they arrived at Ethan's home, he pulled into his garage. He came around and opened her door, before helping her out of the truck. Ethan retrieved their luggage from the back seat, and he smiled when Jasmine grabbed the containers of food and the rest of the bags as well. Ethan allowed Jasmine to walk in first, and he placed the bags down by the door, before he disarmed the alarm. When Jasmine stood frozen in place, clearly in awe of his home, he chuckled and said, "Welcome home baby."

After gracing him with a huge smile, and her solitary dimple, Jasmine slowly moved further into the opened space. When Ethan looked at the view from her perspective, he smiled because it had been Carmen's keen eye, and decorative savvy that had turned his vintage home into what Jasmine was currently admiring. He'd wanted to keep the walls clean, and white, and when Carmen had located the huge white leather sectional with the colorful decorative throw pillows, he had truly been impressed and had sought her input on decorating the rest of his home.

When Ethan had bought his home, the main thing that had sealed the deal for him was the 12-foot ceilings, as well as the floor to ceiling windows, which allowed a great deal of light to pour in throughout the day. Ethan loved wide opened spaces, and the enormous floor plan of his home was the ideal choice for him.

As Jasmine walked through his home, touching random objects as she explored, Ethan stood quietly and watched her. After several long minutes, Jasmine finally turned to him and said, "Ethan, your home is gorgeous. Wow...it's amazing!" Ethan smiled, as he walked over to her, and wrapped his arms around her pulling her in for an embrace. Ethan moaned when Jasmine wrapped her arms around his waist, and kissing her temple, Ethan said, "Thank you baby. I'm glad that you like it. I love it, but it's even better now that you're here." When she laid her head on his chest, he heard her release a contented breath as they stood holding one another.

Ethan loved having Jasmine in his home, and in his space, and holding her in his arms was one of the most incredible feelings that Ethan had ever had. It still floored him that he'd only known her for 72 hours, and that since meeting her, everything in his life had felt more in balance.

Prior to meeting Jasmine, Ethan hadn't known that a piece of his heart, and soul were missing, but since meeting her, he'd realized just what his life had been lacking....and that was her. Jasmine Ellis completed him, and now that he'd had a glimpse of what true happiness felt like, Ethan was never letting her go.

Ethan glanced down at Jasmine when she smiled up at him and said, "How about giving me a tour." Returning the smile, Ethan said, "Yes ma'am. Please follow me this way." After placing the food that his mom had packed for them into the fridge, Ethan left their luggage, and shopping bags by the door, before grabbing Jasmine's hand and leading her out of the living room to begin the tour.

Ethan showed her the lower level first, which was the basement area. Jasmine followed Ethan down the basement level stairs, and when they were finally at the bottom, the room opened to his personal gym. Ethan loved working out, and staying in shape, so when he'd made the decision to use the basement as a home gym, he got the best equipment that money could buy. And after his accident a few years ago, he had been grateful for it.

Ethan stepped to the side and allowed Jasmine to walk into the room ahead of him and take in thefull view. Ethan watched as Jasmine walked around the gym and smiled as she touchedrandom pieces of equipment. She glanced up and said, "I can see why you're insuch great shape now. I usually have to get up super early in the morning tograb a workout at the YMCA near my house." Ethan chuckled, and said, "Well,feel free to use anything that you see while you're here." She smiled as shecontinued to walk around the room, asking random questions about what certainpieces of equipment were used for, and how to use them. When she approached thedoor in the corner of the room, that opened up to his favorite space that he'dhad installed a couple of years ago, he smiled when her head jerked around, andher jaw dropped open. Brown eyes wide as saucers, Jasmine said, "You have asauna!"