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“Okay,” I say. “I’ll try it.”
Ethan holds his phone up again, which doesn’t help with my nerves. The chef tosses the shrimp up into the air. I close my eyes and open my mouth wide. I feel the warm, soft shrimp land on my tongue. My eyes fly open and everyone cheers. I can’t believe I did it. Ethan makes me feel like I can do just about anything.
The chef bows and we all clap for him. Then he gathers his cart and pushes it away from the table. Ethan turns off his stream so we can enjoy the meal in peace. But not before loudly proclaiming, “Yes! I’m pulling ahead!”
I realize instantly he’s talking about the poll. “Of course you are,” I say. “You’re the one here right now.”
I take bite after bite of the crunchy vegetables and the moist steak. It’s some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. Ethan reaches across me and snatches an onion off my plate. “Hey, eat your own,” I say. I jab at his chopsticks with mine until he drops the onion. Then I snatch it back and pop it into my mouth before he can steal it again. Soon we’re sword fighting with our chopsticks.
“Remember when we used to flirt like that?” Frank’s gravelly voice causes us to pause. He and his wife both smile in our direction. Ethan and I laugh. I eat until my stomach can’t possibly hold another bite.
“Are you done?” Ethan asks.
I nod. “I’m stuffed,” I say. “But that was literally the best meal I’ve ever had in my life. Like seriously.”
Ethan cheers. “I told you I would win,” he says.
Ethan pays the check and we bid our farewell to Frank and his wife.
She stands and takes hold of Ethan’s elbow. “Now if you really want to hang on to this girl, you better seal the deal tonight,” she says, giving him a wink. She makes kissing sounds as we walk away. As soon as Ethan and I get back into his car, we burst into laughter.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Are you ready for the next phase of the evening?” Ethan asks, once our laughter dies down and our stomachs stop cramping.
“Bring it on,” I say. “I can’t wait to see what you’ve planned next.”
Ethan starts the car and pulls out of the parking lot. “What do you want to listen to?” he asks, reaching up for the radio dial again. I can see the laughter shining in his crystal blue eyes.
I gently slap his hand away. “Oh no. I will choose this time.” I tune it to a station that plays today’s hits.
“I’m so proud of you.” Ethan smiles appreciatively. Then he begins singing along with the radio. Loudly. “Come on, I know you know this song,” he says.
I shake my head. “I only sing when I’m alone. I promise, it’s for the best.”
“There’s not a panel of judges sitting in the backseat. Just let loose and have fun.”
I shake my head again. “I’ve tried a lot of new things tonight. I think I’ve filled my quota for the evening. Probably for the whole year.”
Ethan begins singing louder and more off key. “It’s only going to get worse until you sing with me,” he says.
I can’t help but smile. Ethan has no fear. He will act like a complete idiot in front of people, and he doesn’t ever seem to get embarrassed. I can’t even imagine what that’s like.
A new song by a female vocalist begins playing. Ethan raises his voice an octave and sings with an exaggerated falsetto. I burst into laughter.
After two songs of his solo act, Ethan seems to give up on me. “I’m trying to understand you,” Ethan says, glancing over.
“Oh yeah?” I ask.
“Yeah, most of the people I hang out with are always fighting to be the center of attention. But not you. It’s like you wish you were invisible.”
“I sometimes do,” I say quietly.
“But why?”
I shrug. “I get embarrassed.”
Ethan seems to ponder this for a minute. “Huh. I guess I’ve never worried about that. I just feel good when I can make people laugh.”
