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“At your place?” I clarify.
“You know you can trust me. If you say friendship is what you want, then I will adhere to that.”
Despite Trent’s assurances, something in my brain tells me I should say no. Dinner at his place sounds far too intimate.
I can only imagine what Ethan would say. Not that I care what Ethan says.
Thankfully, the song begins to come to an end, and I’m saved from continuing the conversation.
“Let me think about it.”
Trent doesn’t seem satisfied with that answer but lets it drop. At my request, he takes me back to my table. Luckily, Ethan is still talking to Lana and Jake. He doesn’t pay us any attention when we get there.
“I better get back to my table,” Trent says, glancing down at the food that was delivered in our absence. “I probably won’t see you the rest of the evening since I need to leave shortly. I’ll call you about next week.”
If Ethan hears Trent’s comment, he ignores it. He waits for Trent to leave then his piercing blue eyes assess me. “Enjoy your dance?”
“I did,” I answer cautiously, taking a sip of champagne. Then another sip.
I pick up my fork and watch Ethan do the same.
The herb-crusted salmon looks scrumptious and smells delicious. However, I’m finding it hard to think about food. Instead, I’m thinking about the man sitting next to me and the kiss we had before arriving at the gala. If that kiss told me anything, it’s that there can’t be a future with Trent. He’s not the man I want.
Saying no to Trent means I can probably say goodbye to ever having a relationship with my parents. Not that it would’ve happened anyway. What does it matter? If my parents cared, they would have contacted me by now. In the last eight years, they’ve not made a single attempt. It’s time I stopped caring. I don’t even know why I’m thinking about them right now.
Instead, I’ll focus on the people around me. The people I’ve come to count on to be by my side.
“You seem deep in thought,” Ethan says quietly. “You haven’t touched any of your dinner.”
“Neither have you.”
He winks at me. “It’s because I’m too busy staring at you,” he says flirtatiously.
I take a calming sip of my champagne. I’ve noticed that he likes to throw me off guard with his comments and flattery.
“Surely there are other women here you’d like to be looking at rather than me.”
“Not a single one. Will I ever get a turn to dance with you tonight? I believe you promised me at least one.”
“I’ll think about it. It depends on if you behave or not,” I say tartly.
He lowers his voice seductively and leans in so I’m the only one who can hear him. “Hmm, I think I’d like to show you just how good I can be.”
“Ethan!” I hiss under my breath. “Stop that.”
He innocently holds up his hands. “Whoa, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
The corners of my mouth twitch up. I’ve missed his teasing, flirtatious side. It’s one of the many things that drew me to him in the first place.
I peek over at Lana and Jake, but they are all wrapped up in themselves. So in love, they probably don’t even realize Ethan and I are here.
“Stop making comments with those hidden innuendos,” I reprimand, not really meaning it.
He shrugs and leans in again, closer to my ear this time. “Fine by me. Here, this won’t be a hidden innuendo at all. I’d like to take you back to my place, tear that lovely dress from your beautiful body and have my way with you. Multiple times. Multiple ways. Is thatgoodenough for you?”
He leans back with a satisfied smile on his face. Meanwhile, my face is on fire. Again.
How does he keep doing that to me?
