Hidden Flames..

Chapter 9

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his expression shifting to something more playful. "So, what about your personal life? Any boyfriend I should know about?"

Lily, in the middle of taking a sip of water, almost choked on it. She quickly composed herself, giving him a curious look. "Why the sudden interest in my love life?"

Ethan shrugged, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Just curious. You've grown up so much since I last saw you, figured there must be someone special by now."

Lily smiled, trying to keep her tone light. "Nope, no boyfriend. What about you?"

Ethan's expression mirrored hers. "Same here."

Lily raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "So, what's the deal? Haven't found the right person, or are they just not interested in you?"

Ethan pretended to be offended, narrowing his eyes at her. "Very funny, Lil. I just haven't found anyone who's caught my attention."

Lily chuckled, her mood lightening. "Oh, really? So, what exactly is your type, Mr. Picky?"

Ethan leaned in slightly, a mischievous look in his eyes. "Why the sudden interest in my type? Are you crushing on me?"

Lily's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly forced a laugh, trying to play it off. "Oh, please. My bad days haven't come yet, and you're definitely not my type."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh, really? And what exactly is our little Lily's type?"

The word "little" stung more than it should have, and Lily felt her smile falter. *He still sees me as his little sister,* she thought, the realization causing a pang in her chest. But she pushed the feeling down, forcing a smile. "Well, for starters, he shouldn't be like you."

Ethan's playful expression shifted to one of surprise. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Lily quickly waved her hand, trying to dismiss the conversation before it could get any more uncomfortable. "Never mind. Enough about our love lives. Let's order something. I'm starving."

Ethan watched her for a moment, his expression unreadable, before he finally nodded. "Sure, let's do that."

As they looked over the menu, the playful banter from earlier seemed to linger in the air, but underneath it, there was an unspoken tension. Lily couldn't help but feel that she had somehow pushed Ethan away, and the thought weighed on her as they made their selections.

But as the evening continued, Ethan's mood seemed to lighten again, and soon they were back to talking and laughing as they had been before. Yet, for Lily, the moment of tension hung in the back of her mind, a reminder that no matter how much things seemed to change, some parts of their relationship might always stay the same.