11
Lily sat across the table from Ethan in the resort restaurant. A small vase with a single red rose sat between them, along with their glasses of wine and dinners. The evening had already been more than she expected. Ethan had been a complete gentleman, starting the morning off with a coffee in front of her door, along with some pastries from the bakery. She could sit and get a lot of writing done after being fueled by a few of her favorite things.
Then he showed up at her hotel room door with a bouquet of flowers before their date. He picked out a vase to go along with them, so she could enjoy them in her hotel room.
The thoughtfulness nearly had her swooning.
And she wasn’t one to swoon.
Then he escorted her down to the hotel restaurant, where they ordered wine and dinner. She realized how much he had grown on her. His positive attitude was quite the stark contrast from her ex, and dare she say it gave her energy. She never would admit that to him, but all the inspiration she had found for her new book was because of Wintervale.
Because of Ethan.
The more she wrote, the more she accepted that the hero of the book was Ethan on the page.
“How’s the food?” Ethan asked.
“Amazing.”
“Are you sure? If you don’t like it, I know the chef.”
She giggled. “It’s honestly some of the best food I’ve ever tasted.”
“That’s an honor. Thank you,” Miles said as he walked up to the table. “I was about to come ask how your food is, but it seems things are going well.”
Lily looked up from where she sat and nodded. “The food is incredible. Seriously.”
He gave a small smile before looking over at Ethan. “Dessert?”
Ethan looked at Lily.
“I’m honestly so full, I’m not sure I could eat dessert. But if you want some, don’t let that stop you,” Lily said.
Ethan looked back at Miles. “Maybe next time.”
Miles disappeared back into the kitchen, and Ethan turned toward Lily.
“So what else did you want to do while you’re in Wintervale?”
She leaned back in her seat with her glass of wine in hand. “I’m not sure. I came here with no expectations since it was a literal last-minute booking.”
“But now that you’ve had time to think about it, is there anything you’d like to do that you haven’t seen offered through the resort yet?”
She tilted her head. “You know, I’ve been working on a new book since I’ve been here. I’ve gotten some great inspiration on the trails, despite getting lost. But I was thinking about having my character go camping.”
“That’s fun. Have you been before?”
“No. That’s the problem. I’ve never done it, so I don’t know how to describe it. Internet searches only help so much.”
Ethan smiled. “Let’s go camping then.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. I love it. I have all the gear already, so you wouldn’t need to get anything, and I am the adventure guide here after all. There wouldn’t be anyone better than me to take you.”
“You make some valid points.”
“Besides,” he said, leaning forward. “I’m sure our camping is much prettier here than in Texas.”
“Hey. Don’t knock Texas. That’s my home.”
He chuckled. “But in all seriousness, I’d love to take you. I try to go several times a year, and it’s been a bit.”
Lily took a sip of her wine, watching Ethan the entire time. He had a goofy smile plastered to his face, and it was one she was coming to love. His sunshine demeanor made it fun to be around him, and if she was going to go camping, who better to take her than the resort’s adventure guide?
“Okay. It sounds like fun.”
He smiled brightly. “It’ll be the best camping trip you’ll ever go on.”
