Say Your Line

Chapter 7

7 months. Ethan has been patiently waiting for 7 months, and now he thinks it's time to take the next step. Truth be told, it was nice to be around Emma without feeling pressured to swoon her off her feet. They got closer these past few months and it was a solid foundation that a long term relationship needed. However, he could only take so much. Whenever he was around her his instinct told him to show his affection. In a way he felt like an animal. Feeling territorial if another man got close for his liking or wanting to simply be close to her as physically possible.

His yearning to be with her had only gotten  stronger as he naturally fell in love with her. He could see why they were a perfect match, but he didn't want to push the boundary they made. Ethan tried to drop hints to test the water and see if she was on the same page, but it always left him feeling even more confused. He was never the best at picking up signals. Nevertheless he continued to visit her at work whenever he could. They even had a fun game of disguises going on.

"Plain black coffee." Emma said.

Ethan flinched as the cup hit the table.He had been zoned out for a whole 20 minutes.

"What gave me away this time?" Ethan asked.

Emma chuckled,"Great costume commitment, but I have yet to see and old man with a Mac Book pro."

"Fuck. I knew I should have brought the kindle." Ethan said.

Emma smiled, "Enjoy your coffee E."

"Are we still on for tonight?" Ethan asked as she turned to leave.

"Only if you leave the old man clothes at home." Emma said over her shoulder and shot him a wink.

OoOoOo

Ethan froze when he felt Emma nuzzle into his side. Her head was laying on his shoulder and she was rolled into a small ball under the blanket. She had a long day today. After her coffee shift she headed straight to school. Ethan honestly didn't know how she balanced it all, and to top it all she still came over to do their weekly binge watching session. They had stupidly begun to watch Game of Thrones the first time they hung out and they made it their goal to finish the whole series. After several months they were finally on the last season.

He looked down and saw her eyes fluttering closed. Ethan could tell she was trying hard to stay awake for his sake. She was always so selfless.

As much as he didn't want to wake her up, he knew he had to get her home. She had classes tomorrow morning.

He shook her gently," Emma."

"Emma." He said slightly louder.

"Hmm?" She mumbled.

"Let's get you home." Ethan said.

Emma simply ignored him and snuggled closer to him. Trying to steal his warmth and even going as far as digging her cold feet beneath his thighs.

"Emma." Ethan said again.

He could hear light snores coming from her. He sighed and prayed she wouldn't hate him for this.

"Alright then." he conceded. He picked her up and carried her to his bedroom. She looked so small in his enormous bed, and it didn't help that she curled up like a little kitten.

Laying her down he proceeded to tuck her in. He couldn't help the stupid smile on his face when she contently sighed and buried her nose into his pillows. Well at least he now knew that she liked his scent.

OoOoO

Emma was incredibly confused when she woke up. Where the hell was she?

She looked around picked up on the manly decor. She didn't sleep with Ethan right? She frantically looked under the covers and sighed in relief when she realized she was wearing the same clothes from last night. LAST NIGHT! No, no, no she was late for class.

She sprinted out the door and was surprised to see Ethan cooking something in the kitchen.

"Hey you're up." Ethan smiled.

"I overslept! Why didn't you wake me up?" Emma angrily said.

"Sit down and relax. You needed a mental health day." Ethan said.

"I can't afford a mental health day!" Emma cried out.

"Yes, you can. I took care of it." Ethan said.

"Wha- How?'' Emma said confused.

"Come on. I spend so much time with you that I know who to contact. I pay attention you know." Ethan said.

"Now sit down and eat." Ethan said pushing a plate in front of her face. It did look rather appetizing Emma thought.

"I'm only doing this once. Next time, you're waking me up." Emma said.

Ethan smirked, "Next time? You plan on staying over more often." Ethan "innocently" asked.

Emma turned beat red and began to stutter her response.

"I'm just teasing Em. I promise I'll wake you up next time." He winked.

OoOoO

Ethan spent the whole week rehearsing the words in his head.

"Will go out on a date with me?" was a simple phrase, so why the fuck did he feel like he was about to hurl. The nervous butterflies in his stomach went from fluttering to jumping on his intestines. He didn't want to mess this up. He couldn't. He needed to get this right.

"Emma what a surprise to see you here." Ethan said.

Emma raised her eyebrow, "Really? It's surprising to see me at my job?"

Emma rolled her eyes," Alright I'll bite. What do you want?" Emma said knowing he was up to something.

"What makes you say that?" Ethan asked.

"Well besides the fidgeting, you're beginning to develop a sweat mustache." Emma teased him.

His hand immediately flew to his face and began to rub above his upper lip. "Not funny." Ethan snarled.

"I beg to differ." Emma chuckled, "So what's up?"

And just like that he no longer felt nervous. This was his Emma. The girl that had become his best friend and confidant in a short period of time. There wasn't a need to be afraid when it came to her.

"Go out with me." Ethan said.

"Ethan." Emma said as if she were scolding a child.

"We agreed to take it slow." Emma said.

"And we have. It's been 7 months Em. I think we're ready." Ethan said.

"I don't know..." Emma said.

"What's the worst that can happen? Come on let's give it a chance and if it's too much of a big leap then we can dial it back." Ethan said hoping his compromise would soften her up to the idea.

"I don't want to ruin what we have." Emma said.

"And we won't. If anything it's only going to bring us closer than ever." Ethan said.

"One date?" Emma asked.

"One date." Ethan confirmed, "And if you're not feeling it we can go back to how things were and I won't ever bring it up until you tell me you're ready." Ethan said.

"What have you done to me Ethan Dolan. I feel like I can't say no to you." Emma mumbled.

"Well maybe it's because deep down you know we're ready." Ethan said.

He took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. "I'll pick you up on Friday at 8, yeah?" Ethan asked.

"Okay" Emma said.

"Yes!" He cheered, "I promise you won't regret it." Ethan said.

That night he went home feeling like he was on top of the world.

AN: Next chapter is half way done ;)