The best man

Chapter 7

As Ethan drove me back home, the warm glow of the streetlights illuminated the quiet evening, casting a gentle light over our shared laughter from the night. When we finally arrived, an unexpected invitation bubbled up inside me. "Would you like to come up for a bit?" I asked, hoping I didn't sound too eager.

Ethan hesitated, his brow furrowing slightly. "Are you sure?" he asked, searching my eyes for confirmation.

I nodded, a soft smile playing on my lips. "I am. Come on in; I promise it's not as scary as it sounds."

With a mix of excitement and a dash of nervousness, we climbed the stairs to my apartment. As I opened the door, I caught sight of his eyes widening with delight. "Wow, I love it!" he exclaimed, taking in the sight of my shelves lined with books of all genres, each one a window into different worlds.

I felt a flush of embarrassment. "Oh, I'm sorry for the mess. I wasn't expecting company," I said, gesturing to a few stray clothes on the floor.

"It's totally fine!" he replied, a playful grin spreading across his face. "My apartment looks like a tornado hit a bookstore. So, you're in good company!"

With the ice broken, I suggested, "Would you like some tea or maybe coffee?"

"Definitely coffee," he said, nodding enthusiastically.

As I prepared the drinks, I felt a thrill of anticipation coursing through me. Soon, we settled down at my small kitchen table, steaming mugs in hand. Our conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with stories and laughter as we shared bits of our lives. The warmth between us was palpable, and I felt lost in his gaze, the world around us fading away.

Once the chatter settled, Ethan leaned back in his chair, a mischievous smile on his face. "So, how do you feel about our first date? Was it more like a romantic comedy or a horror film?" He raised an eyebrow teasingly.

I laughed, shaking my head. "Definitely a romantic comedy. I mean, no one got chased by a killer clown or anything!"

"Phew! That's a relief," he replied, feigning a dramatic sigh. "I was worried I'd have to start practicing my ninja moves to defend us!"

A soft melody began to play in the background—"Dreamsome" by Shelby Lynne—creating a serene atmosphere. The tension slowly built, a mix of excitement and uncertainty hanging in the air. Neither of us made a move, yet the electricity between us felt undeniable.

Finally, Ethan broke the silence, his voice low and steady. "Can I kiss you?"

"Yes," I breathed, my heart racing in anticipation.

In that moment, everything else fell away as we leaned in, our lips meeting in a soft, lingering kiss. Time seemed to stretch as we lost ourselves in each other, savoring the sweetness of the connection we had forged. After what felt like an eternity, we finally pulled away, both breathless and smiling.

Ethan glanced at the clock, realizing it was getting late. "I should probably head back to my apartment," he said, though his eyes lingered on mine, reluctant to break the spell we had created.

"Okay," I replied softly, my heart swelling with warmth from our shared moment. Just as he stood to leave, he leaned in and kissed me again, a quick yet electrifying brush of our lips.

"Seriously, I should go," he said with a playful grin, but he lingered closer, stealing another kiss, this one deeper, making me dizzy with excitement.

"Ethan!" I laughed, pulling away just a fraction. "You're going to miss your chance if you keep this up!"

He chuckled, the corners of his eyes crinkling in delight. "Just one more," he said, leaning in again for a final kiss that made my heart race.

"Okay, that's enough! Go!" I laughed, playfully shoving him toward the door.

"Alright, alright," he said, chuckling as he finally stepped back. "But you might be hearing from me sooner than you think."

As he turned to leave, I watched him walk away, feeling as if this was just the beginning of something beautiful.