Hidden Flames..

Chapter 7

Lily stood in front of her closet, her heart still racing from the unexpected news. She sifted through her clothes, trying to find something that struck the right balance—casual enough not to seem like she was trying too hard, but nice enough to catch Ethan's eye. After what felt like an eternity, she settled on a soft, deep green dress that complimented her eyes, with just a hint of elegance. It was her favorite, a piece that always made her feel confident.

She quickly changed and took a moment to smooth her hair, applying a light touch of makeup to highlight her features. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn’t help but wonder what Ethan would think. Would he notice the effort she’d put in? Or would he still see her as the same girl he’d always treated like a little sister?
She was still trying to figure out how she would keep her emotions in check when she heard Jake’s voice echoing from downstairs.

“Lil! Ethan’s here!” he called out.

Lily glanced at herself in the mirror one last time, giving herself a silent pep talk. You can do this. Just be normal. It’s just dinner, nothing more. She headed downstairs, her heart pounding in her chest.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw Ethan standing by the door, looking as effortlessly handsome as ever. He smiled when he saw her, a warmth in his eyes that made her stomach flutter. “You look great, Lily,” he said, his voice sincere.

“Thanks,” she replied, trying to keep her tone casual. “You too.”

Jake was about to say something when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen, and his expression immediately shifted. “Damn,” he muttered, reading the message.

Lily and Ethan both looked at him, sensing the sudden tension. “What’s up?” Ethan asked.

Jake sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s the hospital. There’s been an emergency, and they need me to come in right away.”

Lily’s heart sank as she processed what that meant. She could already feel the panic rising in her chest. No, no, no… Jake, don’t leave me alone with him…

“I’m really sorry, guys,” Jake continued, already grabbing his coat. “You both carry on without me. I’ve got to get to the hospital.”

Before Lily could protest, Jake was heading for the door. “I’ll make it up to you both, I promise,” he said over his shoulder as he rushed out.

The door clicked shut, and Lily stood frozen in place, her mind racing. Why, Jake? Why are you doing this to me? How am I supposed to handle this alone?She felt her pulse quicken as the reality of the situation set in. Oh God, please help me control myself tonight…

She glanced over at Ethan, who was watching her with a slightly amused expression. “Looks like it’s just the two of us,” he said, his voice light but with an undertone she couldn’t quite read.

Lily forced a smile, though her nerves were threatening to take over. “Yeah, I guess it is.” She tried to steady her breathing, reminding herself that it was just dinner. But the way Ethan was looking at her—like he was seeing her in a new light—made her wonder if she was really ready for this.

Ethan, seemingly oblivious to her inner turmoil, gestured toward the door. “Shall we?”

Lily nodded, unable to trust her voice. As they stepped outside into the cool evening air, she felt the weight of the moment pressing down on her. This was it—just the two of them, no Jake to buffer the conversation or distract from the tension she could feel building between them.

Ethan opened the car door for her, and she slid into the passenger seat, her mind still reeling. As he got in and started the engine, she glanced over at him, trying to gauge his mood. He seemed calm, collected, like this was just another casual evening. But to Lily, it felt like the start of something much bigger—something she wasn’t sure she was ready to face.

As they pulled away from the house, heading toward the restaurant, Lily silently prayed for the strength to keep her emotions in check. Tonight was going to test her in ways she hadn’t anticipated, and she could only hope she’d make it through without revealing just how deeply her feelings for Ethan ran.