The message from Luke finally came, revealing my first shift back: Wednesday night. Two days from now. The timing felt strange. Normally, he’d slot me in for the very next day, always complaining about being short-staffed. It crossed my mind that maybe he was giving me a little more time to ease back in. Whatever his reason, it was out of my hands. All I could do was brace myself and make sure I was ready.
I told Ethan about the schedule that afternoon, watching his face darken at the mention of Luke. I braced myself for the wave of protective worry, but instead, Ethan surprised me.
“I don’t like this,” he admitted, his gaze softening as he looked at me. “But I don’t want you to feel like I’m taking out my frustrations on you, either. You’ve been through enough. Before you go back, let’s spend an evening together, just the two of us.”
My heart melted a little at his thoughtfulness, and I agreed with a smile. “That sounds perfect.”
Ethan seemed pleased, his eyes lighting up. “Then it’s a date. Meet me at the front door at seven,” he said with a playful glint in his eyes. “And wear something comfortable.”
The hint of mystery only added to my anticipation. He didn’t reveal much more, but I was starting to pick up on a feeling that he had something special planned.
With evening approaching, I carefully selected a dress—a simple yet elegant sundress with a blue and purple floral print. It was flowy, with thin straps, perfect for a night outside. I slipped it on, feeling more at ease with the soft fabric against my skin and the faint memory of a world outside the bar and its worries.
When I met him at the front door, my heart skipped a beat. Ethan was standing there in a fitted t-shirt that clung to his chest and arms, showing off every line and curve of his muscles, paired with jeans that looked as if they’d been tailored just for him. He looked effortlessly rugged, and the sight of him took my breath away.
“You look beautiful,” he murmured, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips as he took my hand. “Ready?”
We walked hand-in-hand toward the forest’s edge, the silence between us comfortable and warm. It wasn’t long before the trees gave way to a small clearing, and the scene before me made me stop in awe. Candles in glass jars hung from the trees, casting a warm, romantic glow over the space. In the center of the clearing was a round table, beautifully set under the gentle light of the moon. It felt like stepping into a dream.
Ethan led me over to the table, pulling my chair out before taking his own seat across from me. My gaze fell to the spread of food on the table—burgers with fries, a large, fresh salad, and even a small plate of pickles on the side. I couldn’t help but laugh in surprise.
“How did you know?” I asked, unable to hide my delight. “These are all my favorites.”
He shrugged, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Just lucky, I guess. Turns out, they’re my favorites too.”
We laughed, the sound echoing softly in the clearing, blending with the gentle rustle of the leaves. As we ate, I felt more at ease than I had in days. I let myself savor the food, the moment, the way Ethan’s eyes sparkled under the candlelight. We talked about everything and nothing—the stars, the forest, childhood memories, favorite foods. I realized how much I cherished these moments with him, these little pieces of himself he shared so freely.
When we’d finished, I leaned back, feeling both content and curious. Ethan stood, offering me his hand again. “The night’s not over yet.”
Hand in hand, we walked back through the forest, my mind wandering. Maybe we’d head back to his cabin and relax with a movie or a bowl of ice cream. But Ethan took a different path, leading me deeper into the woods until we came to a spot I’d never seen before.
There, hidden behind overgrown vines, was the entrance to a cave, its mouth shadowed but somehow inviting, as if it were guarding something precious inside.
“Where are we?” I whispered, glancing up at him. “How did you find this?”
“When I was younger,” he began, his voice softened by nostalgia. “This was my secret spot. I’d come here when I needed a break from everything, just to clear my head.”
I felt honored, realizing he was sharing something deeply personal with me. And the way he looked at me then, as if I were the only one he’d ever bring here, made my heart flutter. He reached out, brushing a gentle thumb along my cheek.
“Thank you, for sharing this with me,” I said quietly.
He leaned in, and I felt his warmth, his breath mingling with mine as he held me close. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” he whispered, his words sinking into the quiet stillness of the cave.
The kiss was soft, slow, like a promise etched in moonlight and hidden in shadows. For that moment, the world outside ceased to exist. There was only Ethan, his arms around me, the beat of his heart against mine. He pulled me close, wrapping me in his embrace as if he could shield me from anything that might come our way.
“Stay a little longer?” he asked, his voice barely more than a murmur.