The best man

Chapter 7

When we finally arrive at the restaurant, Ethan strides up to the hostess and requests a table for two. She leads us to a cozy corner, dimly lit with soft golden lights that create an intimate atmosphere. As we sit down, I take a moment to look around, absorbing the ambiance. I can feel Ethan's gaze on me, and when I glance back at him, I catch the admiration in his eyes. It sends a warm flutter through me.

"You look so pretty tonight," he says, breaking the comfortable silence. "I've always thought you were beautiful, even when we were just chatting at the library."

"Thank you," I respond, a slight blush creeping up my cheeks. I've never really received compliments like this before, and it makes me feel cherished in a way I didn't know I needed.

As the waiter hands us the menus, Ethan leans in, a playful grin on his face. "Okay, let's see what we're going to have for dinner. I'm betting the chef has a secret stash of 'fancy' that we can't resist."

I laugh, and even the waiter chuckles at his antics. "What are you thinking? Maybe we should just order everything and have a 'taste test'," Ethan suggests, his eyes dancing with mischief.

"Maybe not everything," I reply, still giggling. "But I am curious about the truffle risotto. It sounds amazing!"

"Truffle risotto it is!" he agrees enthusiastically, glancing at his menu again. "And how about we add the herb-crusted salmon? It's a classic."

"Sounds perfect!" I say, feeling the excitement building for our meal.

Once we place our order, Ethan leans back in his chair, a look of contentment on his face. "You know," he starts, his tone softening, "I'm really happy to see you out of the library. It's nice to see you enjoying life outside of those walls."

I nod, appreciating his words. "It feels good to be out, especially with you," I admit, a smile spreading across my face.

He chuckles, a hint of warmth in his voice. "Well, I promise to keep inviting you out if this is the kind of fun we're going to have. Life is too short to just stay in one place."

As we continue to chat, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement building between us, the evening turning into a cherished memory already in the making.