Lush Expiration | Harry Styles AU | BOOK 3 ✓

12

Vicky West

Somehow, I ended up spending time with Ethan in the afternoon.

Whilst we both were seated in Marcel's old office – around three hours ago – my stomach started to make noises. He noticed that I was hungry and suggested to get lunch and talk more about the Moulin Rouge. But we weren't talking about the club from the moment we entered the restaurant. And I was pretty okay with that.

''Please don't tell me you play golf like any other person here in LA.'' I said, and ended my sentence with a giggle.

Ethan shook his head. ''Would you kill me if I said I do?''

''I'll definitely consider murdering you.'' I said playfully.

''Mmm,'' Ethan mumbled, and he tapped with his index finger against his chin. ''Then I prefer to keep the answer to myself.'' He whispered.

I laughed softly and pressed my mug with coffee against my lips. The waitress came with our dessert, and I lightened up like a child when I saw the ice-cream. I clapped with my hands cheerfully, and I noticed how Ethan was staring at me with this grin across his face.

''What?'' I asked confusingly.

''Didn't know an adult could get this excited about ice-cream.''

''Ice-cream is made for everyone.'' I commented after I hastily thanked the waitress. I pulled the sorbet closer to me and I was aware of the fact that I held the spoon particularly strongly – I craved this dessert from the moment I checked the menu. ''For your information, it's your turn to ask a question.''

''Okay,'' He said as he tasted the ice-cream. ''If you could change your name, what would it be? On a different note, this is absolutely tasty – holy sh.it.'' He licked the spoon once again.

''I would call myself Emma.'' I said with a serious face, but then I let out a small laugh.

''I thought you were serious.'' Ethan said with a shock still written on his face, and started to laugh like me. ''Sorry to say this, but that is a f.ucking boring name. I apologize for my language.''

''I like the name Noora.'' I told him honestly.

Ethan nodded with his head in agreement. ''That one is way better. I'm still confused about the Emma part. I once had this old colleague called Emma, and everybody loathed her. She seemed like a genuine girl when she started with her job, but she was incredibly mean. I think she thought she owned the place.''

''Ah those kind of people.''

''Yeah those kind of people. However, when I switched jobs at the age of 19 I started working at this cinema in the neighbourhood. Again, there was this Emma girl – a different one. I never thought I would meet Satan in person, but she must've been the Devil herself.'' Ethan said dramatically.

I was incapable of holding my laugh, and I had to cover my mouth whilst we sat in the restaurant. Surely, Ethan was enjoying this. He had this smirk covering his face as I wiped the tears away from the corner of my eyes.

Happy tears, my subconscious told me.

''Did you quit your job at the cinema?''

''I was fired, because I thought I was allowed to eat the popcorn during working hours. They warned me, and then I did it again.'' He explained casually. ''Not like I wanted to stay at that place for the rest of my life. That's where it all started.''

''The urge to get to different places?''

''I assume so,'' Ethan replied. ''I'm not the kind of person to stay at one place for the rest of my life – At least, not right now. I want to meet new people, and experience what the world has to offer. I do think that at some point I'll stay at one place for the rest of my life.''