Dear Ethan: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 31: Double Date

[Cruel Summer - Teddy Swims]

*Jodie*

Ethan stood by my bedroom door and smiled down at me. My heart hammered as I took him in. He was dressed up in an expensive-looking navy button-down and slacks. This was definitely not a regular Ethan outfit. This was a date outfit. We were finally going on this double date with Tyler.

"What the hell, Ethan," I said dryly, making sure to enunciate every word.

His puppy dog eyes gave off a look of confusion. "What?"

"You did not give me the dress code memo," I said pointing down to my outfit. I had put on a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt with red lettering that said 'Looks like a cinnamon roll but could kill you' that Andie had made for the entire cake crew.

"I'm changing," I said firmly before he could protest. He followed me inside, shutting the door before wandering through the living room.

Ethan was standing in my apartment since the day earlier Sam and I had a sleepover at my place. We had both fallen asleep next to each other on the couch with a side of drool, mouths dusted with Doritos.

Was my eyes playing tricks or did my couch look really small with Ethan standing next to it? He looked up at the frames on the wall.

There was one with me and Sam taking a selfie in front of the bakery when we first opened. Another one with us vacationing with her family in Mexico, a little sunburnt with ice cream cones dripping down our hands.

A third picture with just me traveling to New York. Back when I still was able to take solo trips. His gaze lingered on the photo. It was a candid shot a street photographer took while I was walking down the streets gazing up at the skyscrapers during golden hour. He had caught the side of my profile looking at something on my right.

"When was this?" I shrugged before disappearing into my closet, leaving the bedroom door ajar.

"Three years ago? I went there for a few days in the spring. It was right before we opened the bakery so I knew if I wanted to go anywhere that it was my one chance." I pulled a navy blue halter dress off the rack and pulled off my T-shirt and jeans.

He went silent, I poked my head out to find him still staring at the same photo as if he was entranced. "Funny, I think I was in New York at the same time."

"Really? What were you doing there?"

"We were celebrating Mason's graduation with a family trip. We ended up going to a Broadway show and visiting Olive Garden." He smiled at the memory. "Mason really wanted the free breadsticks."

"Understandable," I replied, there was nothing better than a free appetizer. I zipped up the dress and stepped out. "What do you think?" I said, doing a twirl.

Ethan's gaze drifted over to me before his face froze, taking me in. His gaze drifted down my neck to my stomach, and at the hemline grazing my thighs. He swallowed hard.

"You look really nice," He said finally.

"Just nice?" I put my hands on my hips feeling indignant, was his brain short-circuiting or something?

"How about smoking hot?" I said teasing him. He pulled his arm back, scratching the top of his head and I tried to ignore the way I could see his right bicep pulling his shirt taunt.

"You look...really beautiful," He said quietly, making my throat go dry and I felt the air leave the room. The air around us was thick.

I've gotten hit on a few times during college but no one had ever said it in a way that made me feel like they really meant it. They had always felt like cheesy pick up lines or words designed to get into your pants. Not sincere compliments. I muttered thanks before grabbing my purse so he couldn't see how red I was turning.