Chapter 9

Nine

Natalie

As the Saturday morning sun filtered through the kitchen windows, Jess and I bustled around, preparing for her husband's upcoming birthday celebration. The tantalizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the room, enveloping us in a comforting embrace.

The touch of the sun on my skin and the familiar sounds of laughter and chatter put me at ease, allowing me to let go of the constant thoughts about Ethan that had consumed me all week. Spending time with my best friend was a much-needed escape from reality, a respite from the turmoil in my mind.

As I handed her a stack of colorful decorations, I couldn't hold back my excitement any longer. With a smile creeping onto my face, I blurted out, "Jess, I have to tell you something." Her eyes widened, and she turned to face me, her curiosity piqued. "Ethan and I have been spending a lot of time together recently. Like, almost every evening."

Jess's expression lit up with pure joy and anticipation as she exclaimed, "Really? That's incredible, Nat! Please, tell me everything!"

My grin widened as I recounted the cozy dinners, leisurely walks through the park, and the effortless conversations we had shared. "It's been... truly wonderful, Jess. I never expected to feel this way so quickly, but I can't deny it. He's unlike anyone I've ever met before." The heat in my chest spread throughout my body as I spoke about Ethan, my heart overflowing with emotion.

A smile stretched across Jess's face, infectious and full of excitement. But then, her expression shifted to one of cautious concern. "I'm so happy for you, Nat. But I just want to make sure you're being careful." Her eyes searched mine, worry etched into her features.

"Have you two been... intimate?" Jess asked, her voice soft but curious.

I felt a slight blush creep up my cheeks, but I nodded. "Yeah, we have. But don't worry, the implant I got when I was with Jason is still working, so at least I don't have to stress about that."

Jess relaxed a bit, but her concern didn't completely fade. "I'm glad you're taking care of yourself, Nat. Just don't let your guard down completely," she urged, her voice gentle yet firm. "We both remember how Jason broke your heart when you found out he was involved with someone else. Don't let yourself get too swept up before you've had a chance to really get to know this guy."

"I know," I replied with a nod, trying to push away the dark thoughts. "I'm taking things slow, but it's hard when everything feels so right."

Jess squeezed my hand, offering a reassuring smile. "Just be careful, okay? You deserve to be happy, but you also deserve to be safe."

Her words struck a chord within me, and I felt a twinge of uncertainty creep in. I didn't want to repeat past mistakes and end up brokenhearted again, but I also didn't want to hold back from something that could potentially be real and wonderful. It was a delicate balance and one that I wasn't quite sure how to navigate just yet.

As the afternoon wore on, we continued to make preparations for the party, our conversation shifting to lighter topics. But in the back of my mind, Jess's warning lingered like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over the otherwise cheerful atmosphere.

Later in the day, Ethan arrived at Jess's house to assist with a last-minute repair on the gazebo. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him step out of his truck, his bright smile serving as a temporary distraction from my worries.

"Hey," I greeted him with a warm smile as he made his way up the driveway, toolbox in hand.

"Hey yourself," he replied, his grin widening as he closed the distance between us. Before I could utter another word, he set down his toolbox and enveloped me in a loving embrace, planting a gentle kiss on my lips. The simple gesture sent a rush through my body, and for a moment, all of my doubts and fears melted away.

"You look relaxed today," I commented, brushing a stray strand of hair away from his forehead.

"I am," he replied, his voice filled with genuine sincerity that radiated from the depths of his soul. The sound of it wrapped around me like a warm embrace, making my chest tighten in the best way. "Seeing you always puts me in a good mood."

A playful glint danced in his eyes as he nodded towards the gazebo where Mike was already setting up. "Well, you've got your work cut out for you this afternoon," I teased, a grin spreading across my face.

Ethan chuckled—his laughter like a melody that echoed through the air. He turned to look at Mike before turning back to me. "I'm ready for it. And afterward, maybe we can catch up properly at your place."

My heart fluttered at the thought of spending more time with him, lifting my spirits and filling me with excitement. "I'd like that," I said, unable to hide the smile that lit up my face.

As Ethan made his way to join Mike at the gazebo, Jess's son, Jude, came running up to him with a baseball and glove in hand. His eyes were wide with excitement as he looked up at Ethan.

"Ethan! Will you play pitch and catch with me?" Jude asked eagerly.

Ethan's face broke into a wide grin as he looked down at the young boy. "Sure thing, buddy," he said, taking the glove from Jude and slipping it onto his hand. "Who do you usually play with?"

Jude nonchalantly shrugged, his small hand tossing the ball into the air effortlessly before catching it. His youthful energy was contagious, and Ethan couldn't help but smile at the boy in front of him. "Mostly my dad, sometimes my friends at preschool. Who did you play with when you were a kid?" he asked, genuinely curious about Ethan's childhood memories.

For a brief moment, a hint of something unspoken flickered in Ethan's eyes. But then he let out a soft laugh and replied, "I played with friends from school, too. We used to spend hours on the field, playing games and chasing each other around."

I observed their interaction from a distance, admiring how easily Ethan connected with Jude. They fell into a natural rhythm as if they had always known each other. It was heartwarming to see how much Jude looked up to Ethan. Continuing to watch them, I couldn't help but feel drawn to Ethan even more, noticing his genuine kindness and patience with children. But Jess's earlier warning lingered in my mind, reminding me to stay cautious and not let my guard down too quickly.

As Ethan tossed the ball to Jude, his phone vibrated in his pocket, interrupting his flow. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen, his expression shifting instantly. The carefree smile that had been on his lips just moments ago vanished, replaced by a furrowed brow and tense jaw.

"I'll be right back," he said to Jude, handing the glove back to the boy before stepping away to take the call.

I strained to hear what he was saying but could only make out fragments of the conversation. The change in his demeanor was impossible to miss. The lightness that had been there just moments ago was replaced by something heavier—something that made my chest tighten with concern.

When Ethan returned, the shadow in his eyes hadn't lifted. "Everything okay?" I asked cautiously, trying not to pry but unable to ignore my growing worry.

He accepted the bottle of beer I offered with a nod. "Yeah, just a friend going through a tough time. Nothing for you to worry about."

His words were reassuring, but the unease in his eyes made me doubt their truthfulness. I didn't want to cause a scene in front of our friends Jess and Mike, so I let it go for now. But the nagging feeling in my gut refused to dissipate, leaving a cloud of doubt hanging between us.

As the evening wore on and the work on the gazebo was finished, Ethan and I found a quiet moment together on the back porch. The sky was ablaze with shades of pink and orange as the sun began to set. The air was still and heavy with anticipation.

"You seemed so happy earlier," I said softly, searching his face for answers. "But now you seem distracted. What's really going on?"

Ethan looked at me, his expression serious yet gentle, as he took my hand in his. His touch was comforting but also left me with a tingling sensation. "I've just got a lot on my mind, that's all. But I'm here now, and I'm so happy to be with you."

I wanted to believe him, to let myself bask in his love and his words, but a nagging feeling lingered in the back of my mind. Something was amiss, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more going on beneath the surface.

As we stood there, the last remnants of heat from the day fading into a coolness that nipped at our skin, I felt goosebumps rise along my arms. Ethan sensed my discomfort and gently squeezed my hand in reassurance, but my doubts were already consuming me.

I forced a smile and nodded, trying to push away my worries. But as we made our way back inside to rejoin the others, I couldn't help but feel guarded, knowing that my heart was still shielded by walls built from past hurt and betrayal. The night may have been beautiful, but it did little to ease the ache inside my chest.