iltering through the curtains. Tension still lingered in the air from the night before,

s through, but the thought of losing Ethan

small talk. She hadn't pressed, and he hadn't brought up what had happened. Neither of them had really apolo

ching new ideas for an upcoming exhibition. It was an odd time for

te night. Dinner at your favorite restaurant,

ead the text. It was just like Ethan to come up wit

ally? Dinner? I

ce of your favorite cake, extra frosting. And I

new what mattered most was the fact that Ethan was trying and that he was reaching out with humor and

ive you a chance. But i

l be. Promise.

re still going to have to

n the cake to do most

soft blue dress that made her feel complete and yet beautiful. Ethan had suggested going to a quiet little bistro,

like a glove, looking effortless and handsome. He stood up as she approached, a sheepish grin

ne who's trying a bit too hard, don't you? Are you sure you didn

t I also wanted to see if I could make you laugh again." He wink

ith a side of roasted vegetables. Ethan followed, though he seemed to have

how have you been?" She asked, her voice a little quieter now, as if she wer

gs last week. I shouldn't have let my pride get in the way. I let things fester, and it

him. He had always been guarded, always holding things just at arm's length. But ton

ed. "I was just scared, okay? Scared that you might outgrow me or that

e, the tech mogul," she said softly. "You're Ethan. The guy who can't cook without setting off the smoke alarm, the guy who makes m

m glad you still feel that way. Because the more I get to know you, the mo

" she said, her eyes sparkling playfully. "I

out," he said with a wink, his eyes gleaming with

show Clara had binge-watched and the hilarious mishaps that had occurred at one of Ethan's co

here a small glass display case held a tempting selection of cakes and pastries. He

ich cake do you want? The world

cake with layers of cream and raspberry drizzl

Really? Are you sure you're not jus

t you to handle it. It's just cake,

sure that your dessert experience is perfect, Clara. No o

y of it all the way Ethan could make her feel so at ease, even when everything around them was chaotic. For the

ight, that