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They chatted about the end of the movie as they ate, and then Ethan grabbed the remote. “Want to watch something else?” he asked.
Kristina shrugged and gave him a small smile. “No, that’s okay.”
Ethan turned off the TV. When they finished their ice cream, he placed their bowls on the coffee table, and then he shifted so that he was sitting facing her. “I had a good time tonight, beer shower aside,” he said, giving her a playful, flirty smile.
“I did, too. I don’t think I know anyone with as many good stories as you have,” she said, and she meant it.
He chuckled. “Bartending may not provide many benefits, but good stories and good people watching are definitely among them.”
“Yeah,” she said, giving a small laugh.
Ethan gently brushed her hair back off the side of her face and tucked it behind her ear. Kristina’s heart tripped into a sprint, because Ethan was looking at her like he was interested. Like he wanted her. “Can I kiss you, Kristina?” he asked in a low voice.
She froze for a long moment, her mind a whirlwind of contradictory thoughts and unending debates and competing desires. And a whirl of Noah. Always of Noah. Who maybe wanted to push her away. Yet, here was Ethan. Light, easy, open Ethan. Who maybe wanted to hold her tight.
Kristina wanted to want Ethan, but didn’t. She wanted nothing more than…to be friends with him. Because he wasn’t Noah.
“I don’t think I should,” she finally said, feeling horrible. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Ethan’s feelings.
“Not happening for you, huh?” he asked.
“I’m sorry,” she said, meeting his eyes.
He shook his head. “I’m the sorry one,” he said. “Because some guy sure is going to be lucky to have you.”
The comment had her ducking her chin.
“Is it Noah?” he asked.
Her eyes went wide. “How…why…?”
“Well, that kinda just confirmed it,” Ethan said, giving her a playful wink. “But I suspected that at least he felt more than friendly about you after talking to him today. Because I was left with the distinct impression that he wasn’t happy I was taking you out.”
“Oh.” She wasn’t sure what to make of that. “I really am sorry, though. Things are actually very strained between Noah and me right now, and I genuinely wanted this to work because you’re pretty awesome.”
He grinned and propped his head against his hand. “I am way more than pretty awesome.”
Kristina chuckled. “You’re right. You’re the most awesomest ever.”
“Well, now my ego feels a little better.” Another playful wink. “Should I walk you out?” he asked.
“Sure,” she said. She gathered her purse, and Ethan walked her to the door. Out on the open landing, she realized that it had started raining. Hard. “You don’t have to walk me down to the lot,” she said. “It’s pouring and my car is right there.”
“I really don’t mind,” he said.
She shook her head. “That’s because you’re the awesomest ever. But it’s okay.”
“Most awesomest,” he said, grinning.
She rolled her eyes, but laughed. “Right. Thanks for everything, Ethan.” She pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, and then turned away. As she started down the stairs, she heard the click of Ethan’s door closing behind her. She rushed past Noah’s floor, but then remembered that his car hadn’t been here when she arrived. She hoped that meant he still wasn’t here, because the last thing she wanted was a run-in with him when she was feeling quite so raw.
And she was. Because it was a helluva thing to realize how much in love you were with someone who probably didn’t love you back. And even worse when that person was your lifelong best friend whose friendship might now be at risk.
When she got to the bottom floor, she stood just underneath the roof for a long moment, staring out into the dark downpour. She was going to have to make a run for it. One look at the deep puddles forming on the sidewalk and in the parking lot had her slipping off her high-heeled sandals and carrying them instead. And then she took off like a shot.
The cold temperature of the rain got a few choice curses out of her. She was immediately soaked through to the skin, her sexy turquoise dress with its deep V-neck, fluttery sleeves, and snug skirt that ran to mid-thigh instantly sodden. She hopped off the curb next to her car and into an ankle-deep puddle that made her shriek. When she lifted her keys to the door lock, her fingers were so wet that she dropped them.
“Shit,” she said, fishing them out of the puddle. She stood up, and nearly screamed.
