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As the ceremony concluded and the reception began, Ethan slid next to me at my table, finally giving us a moment together.
Kissing me softly on the lips, he pulled me up and onto his lap. “If the toasts weren’t about to begin, I’d suggest we sneak off to the bathroom right now for a quickie. We still have so much time to make up for.” He spoke whispering into my ear his words caused goose bumps to prickle across my skin.
“I think we should make another bet, you game?” he asked, his voice low in my ear.
I laughed quietly. “Same wagers. Whoever loses gets a tattoo of the winners choosing?” I asked grinning.
Ethan thought for a moment then nodded.
“Ok.” I replied, “what’s the game?”
“How many times do you think Ell’s maid of honor will say the word ‘love’ in her speech?” Ethan said mischievously.
I thought for a moment, recalling the pretty redhead I’d met last night named Ariel. “I’m going to say 10.”
Ethan chuckled, “No way, definitely going to be 5.”
Ariel began her speech, weaving a heartfelt narrative about Ella and their friendship throughout childhood and college and ending with how much she could tell Ryan loved and cared for her.
Ethan and I kept a silent tally, exchanging amused glances each time the word ‘love’ echoed through the venue.
As the speech concluded, a wide smile spread across my face.
“Well, what’s the verdict?” Ethan asked, a playful twinkle in his eyes.
“Eleven. Looks like I won," I said, shooting a wink his way.
Ethan chuckled, acknowledging his defeat. “You win this round, but I’m sure there will be plenty more in the future. Let me know when you come up with my punishment-tattoo.” He said grinning.
As the speeches concluded I turned to Ethan with a grin. “You want to get out of here? I think we still have some lost time to make up for.”
Ethan nodded, grabbing my hand as he whisked me out of the venue into the cool London air.
Chapter 35: Ethan
Eight months later…
You know those defining moments? The ones that challenge, break down, and reshape you into someone entirely different?
Sasha liked to call them fucked up moments, but really, they could be positive, character-building moments, instances that alter your world, and shake your entire perspective on life.
Moments that change everything.
In the past five years, I’ve accumulated a list of such defining moments. They’ve molded and shaped me into the 30-year-old I am today. Yet, during none of them could I have predicted the pinnacle they would eventually lead to – today.
“Hey, Sash,” I said into the phone. “We still on for dinner tonight?”
“Yep, can’t wait to see you, 6 o’clock, right?”
“Let’s make it 7, I have something I need to do first.”
By 4 PM, I decided to head out early to take care of my errand. I closed my laptop and turned off my office light, walking down the hallway of the shared space we rented for WanderHub.
“Have a good night, Ryan,” I called from outside his doorway. He looked up, smiling.
“Finally going to get that tattoo you owe Sasha?”
“I figured ‘a bet’s a bet,’” I responded, laughing.
