Hidden Flames..

Chapter 8

The drive to the restaurant was quiet, the silence filled only by the soft hum of the car engine. Lily kept her eyes on the road ahead, trying to focus on anything but the man sitting beside her. But it was impossible to ignore the tension in the air, or the way her heart seemed to skip a beat every time she caught a glimpse of Ethan out of the corner of her eye.

Ethan, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease, his hands relaxed on the steering wheel. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been to this place,” he said, finally breaking the silence. “I remember we used to come here all the time.”

Lily nodded, grateful for the distraction. “Yeah, it’s still one of the best spots in town. They’ve updated the menu a bit, but it’s still got that same cozy vibe.”

Ethan glanced over at her, a small smile playing on his lips. “I’m glad some things haven’t changed.”

Lily tried to return the smile, but her nerves were still in overdrive. Stay calm, just stay calm, she reminded herself as they pulled into the parking lot. The restaurant was softly lit, with a warm, inviting glow that seemed to draw them in.

Ethan parked the car and came around to open Lily’s door, his gentlemanly gesture making her heart flutter even more. “Thank you,” she murmured, stepping out and smoothing down her dress.

As they walked inside, the hostess greeted them with a friendly smile and led them to a cozy booth near the back of the restaurant. It was quiet, intimate—exactly the kind of setting that made Lily’s pulse race even faster. She slid into the booth, feeling the weight of Ethan’s gaze on her as he took the seat across from her.

The waiter arrived shortly after, taking their drink orders. Once they were alone again, Ethan leaned back, his eyes still on Lily. “So, tell me more about what you’ve been up to,” he said, genuinely curious. “It feels like we’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

Lily took a sip of water, trying to gather her thoughts. “Well, like I mentioned earlier, I’m in my final year at college, majoring in marketing. It’s been a lot of work, but I’m really enjoying it. I’m hoping to land a good internship after graduation.”

Ethan nodded, clearly impressed. “That’s great, Lily. I’m sure you’ll do well. If you ever need any advice or connections, don’t hesitate to reach out. NexGen could always use someone with your skills.”

Lily blushed at the compliment, her heart warming at the idea of working closely with him. “Thanks, I might just take you up on that.”