Embers of Us

Under the Sun

The heat of the mid-morning sun beat down on the concrete as Lexi drove toward Ethan's job, her fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel. The streets were still relatively quiet, and for once, the Miami-like weather didn't feel oppressive. A warm breeze rolled through her open windows, sending loose strands of her hair fluttering across her face.

Today was a rare day off from beauty school, and Mila was already at her daycare. For once, there were no errands, no immediate demands waiting for her. Just time—and for the first time in a long time, she had the freedom to use that time however she wanted.

She found herself heading to Ethan's job. He had told her about the auto shop before—a yard filled with old cars and trucks, each in various stages of repair. It was the kind of place where grease and sweat mixed under the scorching sun, where hard work met the satisfaction of a job well done. She hadn't told him she was coming, hadn't wanted to make a big deal out of it. It was just breakfast, after all. A few pastries and two coffees in a paper bag sitting in her passenger seat. Nothing grand, but the idea of surprising him made her heart flutter.

As she pulled into the yard of the shop, the sight of dismantled cars surrounded by fences and tools caught her eye. The ground was cracked and dry, with streaks of oil staining the hot concrete in some places. She spotted Ethan easily—he was crouched over a truck, his strong hands deep inside the engine, completely engrossed in his work. Sweat clung to his skin, making his T-shirt stick to his back as he worked under the full force of the sun.

Lexi parked the car, her heart skipping a beat as she stepped out into the yard. The place was quiet except for the distant sound of metal clanging and the occasional hum of an engine being tested. The moment her foot hit the concrete, the heat from the ground seemed to rise up through her shoes, but a soft breeze carried the scent of oil and fresh-cut grass through the air, making the heat bearable.

Ethan looked up from his work, surprised to see her. For a split second, his face lit up with a smile that made her stomach flip. His eyes immediately darted to the bag in her hand, and he stood, wiping his hands on a rag as he walked over to her.

"Hey," he greeted, his voice rough but warm. "What're you doing here?"

Lexi smiled shyly, holding up the bag. "I thought I'd bring you some breakfast. I had the day off, and I wanted to surprise you."

Ethan blinked, clearly taken aback, and for a moment, the tough, focused exterior he always wore cracked, revealing the genuine appreciation and surprise on his face. His expression softened, a slow, grateful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He looked down at the bag, then back at her, and the gratitude was clear in his eyes.

"You brought me breakfast?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief. "You didn't have to do that, Lex. I... wow. Thank you."

Lexi's cheeks flushed under the intensity of his gaze. She hadn't expected him to be this touched by such a small gesture, but seeing the way his face lit up made her heart skip.

"Of course," she murmured, looking down at her shoes for a second to steady herself. "I thought you might need something to eat."

Ethan chuckled softly, shaking his head in disbelief as he took the bag from her. "You're amazing, you know that?"

Lexi laughed, brushing off the compliment, but she couldn't ignore the warmth spreading through her chest as he looked at her like she'd done something far more grand than bring him breakfast.

"Here," Ethan said, setting the bag down on a nearby workbench. He pulled out a foldable chair from the corner of the yard and set it beside the truck he had been working on. "Come sit. I'll take a break and eat with you."