The best man

Chapter 15

The next day, I head out to try wedding cakes with Shelly and Mark. The bakery has such a variety that it's almost overwhelming, and as I sample each one, I can't help but think of Anne Marie. I wonder how she's doing—if she's better. A part of me wishes I could invite her to the wedding, but after everything that happened, I'm not sure she'd accept. It feels like a long shot. Maybe it's better this way, giving her space.

Every cake tastes incredible, but after much debate, I settle on the vanilla one, its smoothness and simplicity feeling like the perfect choice. After a long day of tasting cakes and chatting with Shelly, I finally return home, feeling both exhausted and excited.

When I step inside, the smell of spices fills the air. Ethan is standing in the kitchen, his back to me, stirring something over the stove. Butter chicken and rice—it smells absolutely mouth-watering.

"Smells good!" I say, slipping off my coat and tossing it onto the chair.

He turns around, a warm smile on his face as he pulls me into his arms. "Hey there!" Kissing my forehead "Can't wait for you to try it. It's one of my best," he says, his tone teasing but proud.

"I can't wait either—I'm starving!" I reply, hugging him tightly. His warmth is comforting after a long day.

"How was your day?" he asks, pouring me a glass of wine as I settle into the kitchen.

"It was good! The cakes were amazing, but it was hard to choose," I tell him.

Ethan raises an eyebrow, feigning offense. "And you didn't even think to bring me any? After all my hard work in the kitchen?"

I laugh. "Sorry, I was a little selfish and finished them all."

"Sigh," he says dramatically, shaking his head with an exaggerated look of disappointment. "You're a meanie, missy," he jokes, leaning in to kiss my forehead softly.

As we set the table together, the conversation is easy and light, filled with little jokes and banter, just the way I love it. After we sit down, the butter chicken tasting as good as it smells, I start laughing again, remembering the conversation I had with Shelly earlier.

"So, I may have told Shelly something yesterday..." I say, giving him a mischievous smile.

Ethan looks up, curious but also wary. "Oh no. What did you tell her?" he asks, narrowing his eyes with a smile creeping up.

"I told her about that time—well, you know, when we... got a little carried away on the couch."

His face turns bright red as he groans and covers his face with his hands. "You did not! Now she's going to look at me so weird!" he laughs, clearly embarrassed.

"She won't," I say, unable to stop grinning. "She even called me dirty and said she didn't think I had it in me!"

He peeks through his fingers, still half-laughing, half-horrified. "Well, now I'm the one blushing. Thanks for that!" He shakes his head, clearly amused, though I can tell he's already dreading the next time he sees Shelly.

We spend the rest of the night enjoying dinner, laughing, and teasing each other, the warmth between us growing stronger. Moments like these remind me of how easy it is to be with Ethan—how we just get each other. And after everything, I feel even more certain that we're making the right decision, no matter how fast it feels. It's our love, our timeline, and I can't wait for the future we're building together.