Hidden Flames..

Chapter 18

As soon as the words left Ethan's mouth, Lily felt her cheeks grow hot with embarrassment. She forced a laugh, trying to brush it off, but her mind was racing. *I actually said that to him?* She couldn't look him in the eye as she mumbled a quick goodbye, grabbing her things and hurrying out the door.

From that morning on, Lily couldn't bring herself to face Ethan. She felt ridiculous for admitting—drunkenly or not—her feelings that she'd tried so hard to keep hidden. She dodged his texts, came up with excuses to avoid any gatherings he might be at, and even went out of her way to make sure their paths didn't cross.

Ethan, for his part, noticed her absence almost immediately. Days passed, then weeks, and each time he caught a glimpse of her ducking out of a room or noticed his unanswered messages piling up, his frustration grew. He knew Lily well enough to understand she was embarrassed, but the distance felt heavier than he'd expected.

After a few weeks, the tension between them became impossible for Ethan to ignore. He missed her presence, her laughter, and even the subtle, unspoken tension they'd been dancing around. The silence from Lily was maddening, and he knew it was time to address things head-on.One evening, Ethan decided to take matters into his own hands. He texted her, asking if she could meet him at the coffee shop near her college—a neutral, public place where he hoped she'd feel less cornered. He waited, uncertain if she'd even show up.

Just as he was about to leave, Lily walked in, looking a bit nervous but determined. She spotted him and, after a moment's hesitation, approached the table and sat down. They exchanged a quiet greeting, both acutely aware of the unspoken tension lingering between them.

"Thanks for coming," Ethan said softly, breaking the silence. "I've been wanting to talk to you."Lily bit her lip, glancing down at the table. "I'm sorry for...well, for avoiding you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just...I didn't know how to act after...you know."

Ethan gave her a gentle smile. "You mean after you told me you were swearing off liking me?"She winced but managed a laugh, her face warming. "Yes. That. I was...drunk, and I didn't mean for you to take me seriously."

Ethan leaned forward, his gaze steady, capturing hers. "Lily, you don't have to be embarrassed. I wasn't teasing you because I thought it was funny—I was teasing because..." He paused, struggling to find the right words. "Because I feel something too, something I wasn't prepared for."

Lily looked up at him, her eyes widening. "Ethan..."He took a deep breath, his voice steady but vulnerable. "You're not just my best friend's sister, Lily. You're...you're *you*, and it's impossible for me to pretend I don't feel the way I do. But I know it's complicated. And I know it's probably the worst idea."

Her heart pounded, his words making everything she'd felt but feared to admit suddenly real. She reached out, her fingers brushing his hand. "I don't think it's the worst idea," she said quietly.

They sat in silence for a moment, both absorbing what had been said. Ethan finally smiled, his fingers closing around hers."So," he murmured, "where do we go from here?"