15. Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

MIA

I 've never been this nervous for a date in my life. It's not like I've been on many, and the only serious relationship I had was with Ethan's brother. But this feels different—more important somehow. Maybe it's because it's Ethan, and everything with him feels bigger, more intense.

Ethan and I have an evening free, and he's been talking about taking me on a real date. He insisted on picking the place and keeping it a surprise.

When he shows up at my hotel door, he looks effortlessly handsome in a casual blazer and jeans. His smile when he sees me makes my heart skip a beat.

"Hey, gorgeous," he greets me, pulling me into a hug that feels just right.

"Hey, yourself," I reply, my nerves easing a bit.

We drive to the restaurant he's chosen—a quaint little place near the hotel, far enough from the hustle and bustle to feel intimate. The ambiance is warm and inviting, with soft lighting and gentle background music. It's perfect for a first real date.

"So, how did you find this place?" I ask, scanning the menu.

"A teammate recommended it," Ethan replies with a grin. "Figured it'd be nice to try something new together."

We order a couple of dishes to share and settle into an easy conversation. It's surprisingly comfortable, talking to Ethan like this. We discuss everything from work to our favorite movies. He has me laughing so hard at one point that I nearly spill my drink.

"You have a great laugh," he comments, grinning at me.

"Thanks," I say, feeling my cheeks heat up. "You're pretty funny."

"I try," he says, winking. "Life's too short to be serious all the time."

There's a moment of comfortable silence as we enjoy our food. Then, I bring up Senna.

"How's Senna doing?" I ask, genuinely curious.

Ethan's face lights up immediately. "He's great. He loves the racing games best. I hope he's either going to be a Formula 1 driver or play hockey one day."

"He's such a sweet kid," I say. "You're doing a great job with him, Ethan."

"Thanks," he says, his expression softening. "It's not easy juggling the NHL and being a single dad, but I wouldn't trade it for anything."

"I can't imagine," I say, genuinely impressed. "You make it look effortless."

He chuckles. "Trust me, it's not. And it's definitely made me realize I'm not ready for more kids anytime soon. One's enough to handle right now."

His comment lingers in the air, and I feel a pang of something—relief, maybe, or a touch of disappointment. But I don't let it show. Instead, I change the subject to something lighter.

"Can you cook?" I ask, curious.

He laughs. "Cooking? Me? The closest I've come to cooking is grilling steaks. Although I can make a mean grilled cheese."

"I think you'd be good at it," I say, teasing him. "I wonder if they make aprons in your size?"

"Maybe," he says, still laughing. "But I'm more into physical activities. Like this." He grabs a breadstick and pretends it's a hockey stick, making me giggle.

Our food arrives, and we dig in, sharing bites and making silly faces at each other. It's easy and fun, and I realize how much I enjoy being around Ethan.

After dinner, we take a walk along the nearby park. The night is cool, and the stars are out, making everything feel magical.

Ethan slips his hand into mine, and I feel a rush of warmth. We walk in comfortable silence for a while, just enjoying each other's presence.

"Thanks for tonight," I say softly. "I had a great time."

"Me too," he replies, squeezing my hand.

He leans down and kisses me, soft and sweet, under the starry sky. It's perfect, and I feel my heart swell with happiness.

And I didn't even think about work or Ryan once.