Unexpected

6

ETHAN POV

I slide into the empty red booth and set my cars keys on the table, "It's a bummer James couldn't come." It wasn't, but I wasn't going to admit that out loud.

I had Emma alone once again, without Grayson's annoying remarks or James hogging her attention. I was happy, but nervous at the same time. How many more times could I show up to her apartment without seeming like a creep? Pretty soon I'd actually have to make an effort to get her to hangout with me instead of just bombarding her and hoping for the best.

Emma nodded, picking up the menu in front of her. "Yeah it is, but it's nice to spend some one on one time I guess. I haven't really tried making friends other than him since I moved here."

A wide grin plastered across my face before I could stop it. I grabbed a menu as well to help conceal it. Maybe there was something there, I just had to explore it. She'd loved the coffee, she noticed I cleaned up, and she was impressed with my knowledge of vegan spots downtown. Emma didn't have to know I spent the entire drive to her apartment on Yelp just in case she was hungry. Mentally, I ignored the friend comment. That would change soon enough...hopefully.

"You're gonna love this place they have the best milkshakes" I said, once again trying to impress her. Did I know anything about this place other than the name? Nope, but that was just a minor detail.

"What do you usually get when you're here? She continued flipping through the menu. I could barely hear her, all I focus on was her mouth as she chewed on her bottom lip.

"Oh ummm, ya know the shakes and stuff," I mumbled, frantically trying to find something on the menu that was remotely close to something I would eat. "The buffalo mac and cheese is really good, too. Tastes just like real chicken."

She crinkled her nose at the sound of chicken. Goddamnit she was cute.

"Well I don't know what real chicken tastes like, but I'll take your word for it." She looked up at me and smiled. She was so different when we were alone, much quieter and girly. I liked seeing this softer side to her, but I hoped she'd bring back some of her loud personality when she got comfortable with me.

"Hi loves, my name is Tracey I'm gonna be your server. What can I get for ya?" A tall red headed woman came up to our table, note pad in hand, pen tucked into her bun. She had a comforting jersey accent that reminded me of home.

Emma ordered first thankfully, giving me more time to rack my brain and think of something to order. "I'll have a coffee shake and the buffalo mac and cheese please."

"And for you hun?"

"I'll do a chocolate shake and big order of fries." I said handing her our menus. "You're gonna share that with me right?"

"I guess I'm gonna have to." She smirked at me, cocking her head to the side. "Am I your Grayson replacement?"

I laughed, not having realized she noticed the way I never really order for myself, just always eat off Grayson's plate.

"Well it's only fair since I ordered large fries so I could share them with you." I said, giving her a smile.

Flirting with Emma, was like breathing air. It felt so natural and light. Nothing was forced, not a laugh, smile, or joke. It was easy, it was fun, and it was just what I was looking for.

—

EMMMA POV

I sat across Ethan at a diner called Veggie Galaxy, holding back the urge to stuff my face with fries. It was like God was on my side and had finally sent me an angel. Too bad that angel was a part of my friendship group. It was strange how the past two days Ethan just happened to be there right when I needed him. Company when I was feeling down, coffee when I needed a pick-me-up and now dinner when I was so hungry I could eat a cow. Or at least a tofu stir fry. How was it that he knew exactly what I wanted in life?

"This is soooo good." I said, taking a large sip of my shake. The fries were crispy, the mac and cheese was gooey and best of all, the company was hot.

"It really is so good." Ethan said, through a mouthful of fries. "I'm really impressed with this place, I didn't think I was gonna like it."

His comment confused me. When he suggested we come here, he acted like he knew this place like the back of his hand.

"I thought earlier you said you love this place?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Okay confession time, I've never been here. I just thought you might like a change from going to Canes with us and only eating bread. So I may have Yelped some places before suggesting we grab something to eat. " He looked a little embarrassed, but it only made him look cuter. The light red flush on his cheeks, the dopey grin on his face. How could anyone be around him for longer than 5 minutes without crushing on him?

I threw my head back in laughter. He was such a dork. "I think that's the sweetest thing anyone every done for me" I admitted. It's not like I had guys lined up to take me on dates. Not that this was one...

"Well I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Emma. You deserve sweet things in life." Ethan popped more fries in his mouth and smiled.

I couldn't hold his gaze. The thoughtfulness, his killer smile, the flirty comments. It was all too much for my awkward ass to handle. I could feel myself falling for him little by little with every laugh we shared and every small thing he did for me. He'd have to stop soon if he didn't want me to fall in love.

I rolled my eyes and tossed a fry at him. "You deserve sweet things, too Ethan."

"I have something sweet, don't worry about me."

Something told me he was talking about the milkshakes.