Unexpected

11

ETHAN POV

Every minute that passed created another knot in my stomach. I started second guessing my decision. Was this lame? Would she hate it? Was she even interested in me? Maybe Gray was fucking with me and she was too polite to turn me down.

My breath hitched at the back of my throat when I finally saw her. She looked incredible. The short skirt contrasted her long, tanned legs and her cropped shirt gave just enough of a flash of midriff to leave something to the imagination. She surprising wore her hair down, it cascaded down her back flowing to a point at the end of her spine. Her face, oh my god her face. She was glowing and whatever James had done made her blue eyes look electric. For the first time, someone had literally taken my breath away.

"Wow." It was all I could say.

She giggled and looked down at the floor, not used to the attention she was receiving.

"I did good huh." James said, showcasing his final product.

"Emma you look...you look amazing." I could barely speak. I had never felt this before. It was nerve wracking, but exciting.

"Thanks" she said quietly. She tucked a piece of hair behind her hair, shyly. "It's a little much, dontcha think?"

"No it's perfect."

—

I pulled out of her driveway, turning onto the winding road. The sun was beginning to set which made everything look so much more perfect.

"Thanks for the flowers." Emma said, smiling at me. "They're beautiful."

"Beautiful flowers for a beautiful girl." I smirked. I was feeling way more confident now. Nothing could bring me down from this high.

I placed my hand on her thigh, something I had been waiting to do for too long. She rest her tiny hand on my mine and gripped it slightly.

"Are you gonna tell me where we're going?"

I laughed, she was so impatient. "Food first, obviously. Though I will say, this is just another one of my Yelp spots."

"I didn't expect you to be so full of surprises, E." She looked out the window, trying to guess where we were headed.

"Well I didn't want to bore you on our first date."

"Oh so this is a date?" She smirked, knowing it would drive me insane.

"Yes Emma, this is a date! That's what happens when to people like each other" I said, incredulously. I was glad she had a sense of humor, it was helping subside the nerves.

"Sorry, Im sooooo clueless when it comes to dating" Emma said apologetically, through a fit of laughter. I was now starting to realize teasing me was Emma's favorite hobby.

"Just sit back and relax then. I'll show how you deserve to be treated.

—

EMMA POV

If nerves and anxiety had a baby that is what I was feeling. We had reached our destination, the first of many according to Ethan. It was a beautiful restaurant with fairy lights hanging from the roof of their patio seating. As we walked towards the entrance I could see many couples dining together at candle lit tables with very intimate seating. Everything was so beautiful I was in awe taking it all in.

"Hey come on" Ethan said waiting with an outstretched hand, realizing I was lagging behind. I felt my cheeks redden as I looked down at my feet, hoping he hadn't caught me gawking. I grabbed his hand anyways and tried to keep up.

"I have reservation for Dolan." He told the host, who grabbed two menus and escorted us to our table.

"This place is so nice." I said, finally as we sat. "Everything is beautiful."

"Yeah it really is beautiful." Ethan replied, looking directly into my eyes.

I blushed and looked away not wanting to meet his gaze. I was living in constant state of tomato face being around Ethan, but I couldn't help it. He made me blush more than anyone I had ever met. James would have to start doing my makeup more often to help conceal the effect he had on me. Before I could say anything else a waiter walked over and put two plates of food down in front of us and filled our glasses with water.

"I hope you don't mind, but I ordered for us ahead of time." Ethan said shyly, awaiting my reaction. "I wanted to surprise you."

"Wow, thank you that's so thoughtful." I replied, picking up my fork and digging into what looked like a pasta dish. He had actually take the time out of his day to consider what I might want to eat. Hell, he'd taken time out of his day to even bring me here.

I was loving getting to know this side of Ethan. Romantic and thoughtful, even full of surprises; it was different to the goofy guy I had come to know in our friendship group.

"I did my best to pick things you might like. This is completely out of my area of knowledge so I hope it tastes alright." He replied, confirming my guess that he had skimmed the menu with me in mind.

"It delicious." I tried to respond, through a mouthful of cheesy pasta.

He looked incredible, the candle light casting a warm glow across his cheeks, lighting up his face every time he smiled or laughed. The dinner was a blur of different courses and conversations, but I was barely there. I was more focused on watching Ethan. The way his eyes crinkled up when he laughed, or how he scrunched his nose at the sight of onions. He was outgoing and funny and every bit the Prince Charming I imagined him to be. If I had ever thought of making a checklist of what I wanted in a man, he would have ticked every box.

"Thanks again, for everything." I pressed the cloth napkin to my mouth, cleaning off every crumb and probably ruining the last bit of James' lip gloss.

"You don't have to thank me, I love spending time with you." He reached across the table and grabbed my hand. "If anything, I should be thanking you for coming out with me, Emma."

His hand was warm, soothing my icy fingers. The contact sent sparks up my arms and a dull ache at the pit of my stomach. He looked so kissable, but I had to control my urge to lean over and press my lips against his. It was too public and I was uncomfortable with the thought of strangers watching us.

Ethan clearly didn't care as he inched closer across the table. He used his free hand to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I held my breath without meaning to, feel nervous of what may come next.

Just as his face was inches away from mine and I was sure he was going to kiss me he whispered, his warm breath fanning across my lips. "Ready for the next location?"