The evening air was warm, carrying the faint scent of jasmine from the garden outside.
I was sitting on the porch, pretending to read, though my mind was far away.
Ethan's presence had a way of distracting me—even when he wasn't actively doing anything.
He was just… there.
"Lara," he said softly, leaning against the railing nearby.
I looked up.
"Yes?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He didn't answer immediately. He just watched me, eyes soft but intense.
"Can I be honest?" he asked finally.
My heart skipped.
"Of course," I murmured.
He took a step closer.
"I've liked you for a long time," he said quietly. "Before this… before anything, really. And I tried to ignore it. I tried to be 'just a friend.' But I can't anymore."
I felt my stomach twist.
"I… I feel the same way," I admitted softly.
His eyes widened slightly, just enough for me to see.
"You do?" he whispered, disbelief and relief mixed in his tone.
"Yes," I said, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "I've tried not to, I've tried to deny it… but I can't."
He smiled.
And not just a small smile—a full, genuine smile that made my heart ache.
"You have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say that," he murmured.
I laughed softly, feeling the tension between us melt slightly.
"So… what do we do now?" I asked, nervously twisting the hem of my sleeve.
He stepped closer.
"Now?" he whispered. "Now we stop pretending. Now we let this… whatever it is… happen."
My heart raced.
"I'm scared," I admitted softly. "Because… what about Maya? And everything else?"
Ethan reached out, brushing my cheek gently.
"I know," he said quietly. "But we'll figure it out together. I promise. I won't let anything ruin this. Not for us. Not for you."
I felt warmth spread through my chest.
"I… trust you," I whispered.
He smiled softly, leaning in.
The kiss this time was slow, deliberate, and full of everything we had been holding back.
I felt his hand gently cradle my face, his thumb brushing my lips as if memorizing them.
"I've wanted this for so long," he murmured against my lips.
"And I've wanted you," I whispered back.
We pulled back slightly, foreheads resting together, breathing the same air.
"I don't want to hide anymore," I admitted.
"Neither do I," he replied.
For a moment, the world disappeared.
No worries, no Maya, no complications—just us.
But then reality intruded.
"Maya's going to find out eventually," I whispered.
Ethan smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
"And when she does?" he asked.
I shrugged.
"Then we deal with it," he said firmly. "Together."
His confidence made my heart flutter.
I knew it wasn't going to be easy.
But for the first time, I didn't care.
Because Ethan had my heart.
And I had his.?
And that was worth everything.