Between Then and Now (Hallow’s End #1)

18. Chapter 18

Chapter 18

A LOUD BANG ECHOED through the house as the front door flew open and, before Ethan could react, Lily came barrelling in, her honey-blonde hair flying behind her like a wild mane. She was a blur of energy and excitement; a small, unicorn onesie-clad tornado racing through the hallway. Ethan barely sidestepped as she dashed past him, leaving a trail of discarded items—her backpack, a jacket, a pair of shoes—scattered on the floor.

“Lily! Slow down!” Ethan called after her, laughing.

But Lily was already halfway to the living room, her brown eyes wide with anticipation. The sound of a woman’s voice drifted in from the open door, light and amused. “Lily, don’t forget your manners! And have fun, sweetheart!” she called out, used to her daughter’s uncontainable enthusiasm.

Lily skidded to a halt just outside the living room, her breath catching as she took in the sight before her. She stood frozen for a moment, eyes growing even wider as she absorbed every detail of the fort Ethan and I had built.

“Whoa . . .” she breathed, her voice filled with awe. “This is amazing !”

Then, her gaze shifted and, for the first time, she noticed me standing there, just a few feet away. The excitement in her eyes dimmed slightly, replaced by a curious, almost cautious look. My heart skipped a beat, a wave of nerves washing over me as I wondered what she might think.

Before I could even begin to worry, Lily tilted her head and, with all the directness of a six-year-old, asked, “Who are you?” Her voice was full of curiosity and challenge, as if she was sizing me up.

I opened my mouth to respond, but her gaze had already dropped to the jeans and T-shirt I was wearing, and her brow furrowed in confusion. “And why aren’t you dressed up? This is a fort. You have to dress up,” she declared, crossing her arms as if I’d just broken the most important rule of all.

I couldn’t help but laugh at Lily’s candidness. “You’re right, I didn’t get a chance to change yet,” I admitted with a grin, glancing at Ethan. “But I do have a onesie—your brother made sure I wouldn’t miss out.”

“Oh! So you’re Vinnie!” she exclaimed, her tone playful. “Ethan’s been talking about you a lot! He said you’re really pretty and that you make him laugh all the time.”

My cheeks heated as I shot a quick look at Ethan, who suddenly looked like he wanted to disappear into the floor. “Lily!” he groaned, rubbing the back of his neck with an awkward smile.

“What?” Lily said, feigning innocence, though the twinkle in her eyes betrayed her. “It’s true! He talks about you all the time. ”

I bit my lip, trying to suppress a smile as I turned to Ethan. “Really? All the time, huh?”

His embarrassment quickly shifted into something softer as he met my gaze. “Well, I might have mentioned you once or twice.”

Lily giggled, clearly pleased with the impact of her revelation. “See? I knew it!”

Ethan, still recovering from his sister’s bold honesty, stepped closer and rested a hand on Lily’s shoulder. “Lily, this is Vinnie. She helped me build the fort today. What do you think?”

Her eyes widened with admiration as she looked up at me. “You helped? That’s so cool! This is, like, the best fort ever!” she declared, her face glowing with excitement.

“Thanks,” I said, bashful under her enthusiastic praise. “But I couldn’t have done it without your big brother.”

“You guys did great!” she exclaimed, before diving headfirst into the fort, her excitement bubbling over as she explored every corner.

Ethan and I watched as her little hands eagerly inspected the pillows and blankets we’d so carefully arranged. She grabbed her bag and started unpacking her treasures: coloring books, a stuffed unicorn, and a small flashlight that she flicked on and off with glee. The fort was quickly transforming into her personal playground, and her happiness was infectious. I glanced over at Ethan, catching the soft, shy smile that had settled on his face as he watched his sister.

“So . . . you talk about me a lot, huh?” I asked.

Ethan groaned, giving me a look that was part embarrassed, part amused. “I guess she couldn’t wait to spill that, could she?” he sighed, his eyes meeting mine. “Yeah, I might have mentioned you a few times to my mom, and Lily must have overheard.”

“A few? Or a lot?” I interjected with a grin .

“A lot,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck again. “What can I say? You’ve been on my mind.”

I smiled at his vulnerability. “Well, I’m flattered,” I said.

Ethan shot me a grateful look, but then, as if remembering something, his expression turned a little more serious. “Actually, speaking of talking . . . my mom has been asking about you. A lot.” He laughed, the embarrassment still lingering. “Apparently, Laura told her all about our date, and now she’s convinced we’re a thing.”

I laughed at his awkward confession. “She sounds lovely,” I said, my tone light. “And very . . . interested.”

“Oh, she is,” Ethan replied with a grin, rolling his eyes in a way that showed both affection and mild exasperation. “She’s just excited for me, you know? But it can be a bit much sometimes.”

I raised an eyebrow playfully. “And you didn’t introduce us because?”

Ethan’s smile turned bashful again, and he shifted on his feet. “Well, after what Lily said, I figured you might need a little break from hearing about how much I talk about you.” He joked, but then his expression softened. “But really, I didn’t want to overwhelm you. I know how my mom can be, and I didn’t want you to feel like you were getting the third degree. Plus, she’d probably linger and ask you a million questions about . . . us. And I wasn’t sure if you were ready for that, or if you even wanted to meet her yet.” His words started tumbling out in a bit of a ramble, his nerves showing through, and he laughed at himself, shaking his head. “Sorry, I’m making this sound way more complicated than it is.”

I laughed, touched by how much thought he’d put into it. “It’s fine, Ethan. Really. Maybe next time?”

Ethan’s eyes softened, and he smiled, relieved. “Yeah,” he said, his voice gentle and a little more confident. “Next time. ”

Just as the moment settled between us, Lily’s voice rang out from inside the fort. “Ethan, I’m hungry!”

She poked her head out, her big brown eyes expectantly fixed on her brother. Just like that, the intensity of our moment was shattered, replaced by the everyday reality of a six-year-old’s priorities.

Ethan sighed dramatically, though his smile gave him away. “Well, can’t keep the princess waiting, can we?” He shot me a quick glance that made my heart flutter, before turning his attention fully to Lily. “What are you in the mood for, Lil?”

Her eyes sparkled as she thought about it, and then she grinned. “Pizza! And ice cream!”

He laughed, glancing back at me with a look that clearly said: This is my life . “Pizza and ice cream it is.”

Ethan ordered the food with the ease of a man who had clearly done this many times before, rattling off their usual order while Lily hovered nearby, practically vibrating with excitement. As soon as he hung up, she turned her big brown eyes on me with a determined expression.

“Okay, Vinnie,” she said, hands on her hips like a tiny drill sergeant. “You have to change into your onesie now. No one is allowed in the fort unless they’re properly dressed. It’s the rule.”

I laughed, charmed by her seriousness. “Well, I wouldn’t want to break the rules,” I teased, glancing at Ethan, who was watching the exchange with an amused grin.

Ethan pointed down the hallway. “Bathroom’s right over there. Your onesie’s on the counter.”

With a mock salute to Lily, I headed off to change. When I emerged a few minutes later in a fluffy pink unicorn onesie that matched hers, a delighted squeal greeted me. “You look awesome, Vinnie! ”

She took my hand and practically dragged me back into the living room, where Ethan had already started setting up the fort for movie night. She declared the fort her castle , and announced that no one could enter unless they were prepared to follow the royal rules—which, as it turned out, included having a spa night. Ethan tried to protest, but one look at Lily’s determined face, and he was laughing and shaking his head, resigned to his fate.

Before long, we were all nestled in, surrounded by a mountain of pillows and blankets, and Hocus Pocus flickered on the small TV, casting a soft glow over the room. The scent of popcorn mingled with the sweet smell of face masks, as Lily convinced Ethan to join us in the spa portion of the evening.

“You know, this is not what I had in mind for tonight,” he joked, his voice muffled slightly by the green mask slathered across his face. His hair was a mess of half-done braids and tiny clips, all thanks to Lily, who was currently sitting in his lap, concentrating fiercely on adding more decorations.

“Are you kidding?” I teased, adjusting my own face mask. “You’re the one who said this fort was the best one yet. And besides, it’s not every day you get to be pampered like this.”

Lily giggled, her hands busy tying a bright pink ribbon into Ethan’s hair. “Yeah, Ethan! You’re supposed to be having fun. This is a girls’ night! So stop complaining and let me finish.”

“You’re doing a great job, Lil,” I said, encouraging her as she added another clip. “I think he could use more glitter, though. Really make him sparkle.”

“Good idea!” she agreed enthusiastically, reaching for the glitter gel. Ethan shot me a playful glare.

“You’re not helping, you know,” he said, his tone mock-serious. “You’re supposed to be on my side. ”

I grinned, shrugging innocently. “Sorry, but I’m team Lily on this one.”

“See? Vinnie knows what’s up.” She beamed at me, pleased.

Ethan sighed dramatically, but couldn’t hide his smile. “Well, I guess I’m outnumbered.”

Lily paused in her work, tilting her head. “You should always join us for girls’ night, Vinnie. It’s way more fun with you here.”

The sincerity in her voice caught me off guard. “I’d love that,” I said softly, touched by her invitation.

Ethan laughed, shaking his head. “You two are going to gang up on me, aren’t you?”

“Totally!” Lily insisted, sticking out her tongue before her expression turned determined. “Now, Ethan, you have to braid Vinnie’s hair while I finish yours. It’s only fair.”

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow, trying to hide his amusement. “Orders from the queen,” he teased as he shifted slightly closer. His fingers hovered near my hair, a silent question in his eyes.

“Is it okay if I . . .?” he asked, his voice suddenly softer, more tentative.

I nodded, my heart picking up pace. “Yeah, it’s fine,” I whispered, reaching up to undo my ponytail. My fingers brushed against his as I let my brown hair fall loose, and the contact sent a jolt of warmth through me.

Ethan hesitated, his gaze meeting mine, searching for any sign of discomfort. When he found none, he let his fingers thread through my hair, his touch impossibly tender. My breath caught as he separated the strands, his movements careful and deliberate, as if he were handling something fragile.

“Your hair’s so soft,” he murmured, almost as if he were talking to himself. His fingers brushed against the nape of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine that I couldn’t hide .

“You’re actually not bad at this,” I said, trying to keep my voice light despite the electric charge that seemed to buzz between us.

“Honestly? I have no idea what I’m doing,” he admitted with a laugh, though his fingers continued to work through my hair, his touch growing more confident. “But Lily’s taught me a thing or two.”

Lily, who was still perched in his lap and diligently working on his hair, nodded sagely. “He’s okay,” she said, trying to downplay her praise. “But I’m the expert. I’ll have to fix it later.”

Her cheeky grin broke the tension just enough to make us both laugh. Yet, when Ethan’s eyes met mine, the warmth in his gaze made my pulse race.

As he continued to braid my hair, Lily kept up a steady stream of instructions, bossing him around with the authority of a seasoned stylist. “No, Ethan, you have to braid it tighter or it’ll fall out!”

Ethan shot her a playful look, rolling his eyes dramatically. “Yes, ma’am,” he said, his tone full of affection. “How’s this?”

Lily leaned over to inspect his work, her brow furrowed in concentration. “Hmm . . . better, but you missed a piece.” She pointed, and Ethan dutifully adjusted his grip, his fingers brushing against my scalp.

Ethan’s expression softened as he finished the braid, his fingers lingering in my hair for a moment longer than necessary. He looked at me, his eyes holding something deeper.

“I’d like it if you joined us more often, as well,” he whispered, his voice sincere, almost vulnerable. “Lily’s right—it’s more fun with you here.”

His words, simple as they were, made my heart skip a beat. There was something intimate about the way he said it, as if he were letting me into a part of his life that he didn’t share with just anyone.

“I’d like that, too,” I replied, my voice just as soft. I could feel the weight of his gaze, and the warmth of his fingers still tangled in my hair, and I knew that something had shifted between us—something that couldn’t be easily ignored.

Before the moment could grow too intense, Lily’s voice broke through, her stomach growling audibly. “Ethan, I’m hungry!”

We both burst into laughter, the tension easing as reality rushed back in. Ethan shook his head, gently tugging at one of Lily’s braids. “Alright, alright, food’s on the way, Princess. Just a few more minutes.”

Sure enough, a knock on the door sounded a few minutes later, and Lily was up like a shot, racing to the door. “Pizza!” she squealed, her excitement contagious.

Ethan got up with a grin, following her to the door as I tidied up a bit, making room. When they returned, Lily was carrying a box of pizza almost as big as she was, her face lit up with glee.

“Careful there,” Ethan chuckled, taking the box from her and setting it down on the blanket-covered floor. “We don’t want any pizza casualties.”

She giggled, plopping down and grabbing a slice. “This is the best night ever!” she declared, her voice muffled by a mouthful of pizza.

We all dug in, the fort filled with the sounds of contented eating and the occasional laughs. Before long, Lily had a new idea.

“Ethan, can we watch Halloweentown next?” she asked, her eyes wide with excitement as she turned to me. “It’s my favorite movie ever! Do you think Halloweentown is a real place, Vinnie?”

“I think it’s as real as you want it to be,” I said, leaning in conspiratorially. “But remember, it’s a secret town, hidden away where only the people who believe in magic can find it.”

Her eyes sparkled with delight at the idea, as Ethan chimed in. “You know, Hallow’s End is pretty close to Halloweentown,” he joked, winking at me .

Lily shook her head, clearly not buying it. “No way! We don’t have magic, or monsters, or ghosts.”

Ethan leaned back, a thoughtful look on his face. “Are you sure about that? Hallow’s End has its own kind of magic. Haven’t you ever noticed how things get a little strange around Halloween? Like how sometimes the lights flicker on their own, or how the fog rolls in just a little too thick?”

“You mean like real magic? Like in the stories?” Lily’s eyes widened, her pizza forgotten as she stared at Ethan, completely captivated.

“Something like that,” he said, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. “Around Halloween, the magic in the air around here gets stronger. Strange things start to happen—things that can’t be explained. Some people think it’s just the town’s way of reminding us that there’s more to the world than what we can see.”

Lily gasped, her imagination clearly running wild with the idea. “That’s so cool”

We continued that way, sharing stories and pizza in the fort, a relaxed ease settling over us beneath the twinkling fairy lights. But, as the night wore on, the inevitable end began to creep in.

“Ethan,” Lily said, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness, “can we have a sleepover? I don’t want tonight to end.”

He sighed softly, smiling down at her. “I know, Lil, but Mom’s already on her way to pick you up. But don’t worry—we can have a proper sleepover next time, okay?”

Lily’s face lit up again as she turned to me with a cheeky grin. “Vinnie, you have to come to the sleepover, too! We can braid Ethan’s hair again and make him wear a face mask!”

“I wouldn’t miss it for anything.” I laughed, touched by how much she wanted me to be a part of their world .

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head as he ruffled Lily’s hair. “You two are going to be trouble together, I can tell.”

Lily stuck her tongue out at him, giggling. “You love it!”

Ethan grinned, glancing over at me with a softness in his eyes that made my heart flutter. “Yeah,” he said quietly, his voice full of warmth. “I really do.”

The night was winding down, the fort dismantled, and the remnants of the pizza feast neatly tidied away, yet the air still hummed with the magic of the evening, and I could feel the warmth of the memories we’d created lingering in the room like the soft glow of the string lights.

A sudden knock at the door broke the comfortable silence, and Lily’s eyes lit up. She hopped up from where she’d been sitting, giving both me and Ethan big hugs before bouncing toward the door. “Next time, right, Vinnie?” she asked, her voice filled with hope and excitement.

“Absolutely,” I promised, returning her hug with a warm squeeze.

Lily’s grin was pure joy as she turned to Ethan, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “And next time, you have to let me put even more glitter in your hair. And some more bows, too.”

Ethan, who still hadn’t had a chance to remove any of Lily’s handiwork, looked comical, with his usually tousled hair now a chaotic mix of glitter, pink bows, and tiny clips, the glitter catching the light every time he moved, shimmering like a halo of sparkles around his head. A particularly enormous pink bow perched right on top, almost like a crown, while the rest of the ribbons were scattered haphazardly throughout his hair, adding to the absurdly charming look.

“I’m still finding glitter everywhere, Lil,” he teased, his voice filled with mock exasperation. “I think I’ll be sparkling for days.”

Lily giggled, clearly proud of her work. “You look pretty, Ethan. Like a fairy prince! ”

At that, I couldn’t hold back my laughter, my gaze moving from Lily’s beaming face to Ethan’s glitter-covered hair. “She’s not wrong,” I said, trying to keep a straight face. “You do look like a fairy prince. A very sparkly one.”

Ethan rolled his eyes, but there was a fondness in his expression as he looked at both of us. “I guess if it makes you two happy, I’ll keep the look for a while longer,” he conceded, though he couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Lily clapped her hands in delight. “Yay! Next time, I’ll make sure you’re even prettier.”

“I can hardly wait,” Ethan groaned, ruffling her hair. “You’re lucky you’re cute, kid.”

“I know!” she chirped, sticking her tongue out at him before running off to grab her things. She returned with her backpack and jacket just as Ethan opened the door.

Standing there was Ethan’s mom, her smile warm and welcoming. She had the same kind eyes as Ethan, with a few strands of gray threading through her brown hair, which was pulled back into a loose bun. She wore a knitted jumper, jeans, and a big coat that seemed to swallow her small frame, but there was an undeniable strength and kindness in her demeanor.

“Hi, sweetheart,” she greeted Lily, crouching down to give her a big hug. Lily squeezed her mom tightly before pulling back with a grin.

“Mom, guess what! Vinnie’s coming to our next sleepover!” she announced, bouncing on her toes.

Ethan’s mom’s gaze shifted to me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “So, this is the famous Vinnie I’ve been hearing so much about.” She straightened up, offering me a warm smile. “I have to say, Ethan mentioned you were pretty, but you’re gorgeous . I can see why he’s been crushing on you.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I shot a quick glance at Ethan, who looked thoroughly embarrassed, his ears tinged with red. “Mom . . .” he groaned, clearly mortified.

“What? I’m just telling the truth!” She reached out to give Ethan a playful nudge before turning back to me. “By the way, I’m Caroline. It’s lovely to finally meet you, Vinnie. I have to say, I’m not sure why Ethan’s been hiding you. I had to hear about you from Laura, of all people.”

Ethan immediately groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. “Mom, I wasn’t hiding her. I was just trying to avoid situations like this ,” he muttered, embarrassed.

Caroline waved him off, her smile growing. “Oh, nonsense. You just need to come out of your shell a bit. There’s nothing embarrassing about liking someone and being open about it.” She turned back to me with a wink. “He’s always been shy about these things.”

“You’re not helping, Mom,” Ethan sighed, shaking his head, but unable to hide the small, embarrassed smile tugging at his lips.

Lily, ever the bundle of energy, nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah! He says you’re really cool, but he gets all shy and blushes whenever we talk about you!” she said with a mischievous grin, enjoying her brother’s embarrassment. “It’s so funny, his face turns all red like a tomato!”

Ethan’s face flushed even deeper as Lily’s teasing hit home. “Alright, alright, time to get you two home,” he said. “It’s getting late, and I’m sure Lily is tired.”

Caroline, however, wasn’t about to let him off that easily. She stopped, turning back to me with a warm smile. “Before we go, Vinnie, you should stop by for dinner one night. We’d love to have you over. ”

Ethan shot his mother a look of mock desperation. “Mom, maybe we should let Vinnie breathe before bombarding her with invites.”

“Oh, hush, Ethan. It’s not overwhelming to invite someone for a nice meal.” Caroline waved him off with a playful grin. “Vinnie, consider this an official invitation. I make a lasagna that’s been known to change lives.”

Lily jumped in, her excitement renewed. “Yes! Please come, Vinnie! It’ll be so much fun!”

Touched by their genuine warmth, I smiled. “I’d love to. Thank you so much for the invitation.”

Caroline’s face lit up. “Fantastic! We’ll sort out the details soon. Now, let’s get this little monkey to bed.” She ruffled Lily’s hair affectionately.

Lily giggled, giving both Ethan and me tight hugs again. “Goodnight, Vinnie! See you soon!”

“Goodnight,” I replied, hugging her back.

Lily gave one last enthusiastic wave before bouncing out the door, her unicorn onesie trailing behind her like a cape. Caroline followed, casting a final warm smile in my direction. Ethan walked them to the end of the driveway, where they lingered for a moment, exchanging a few quiet words that I couldn’t hear. Caroline glanced back at me once more, her expression filled with approval, before she and Lily turned and made their way down the street toward their home.

Ethan stood there for a moment, watching them go, then turned back to me, a sheepish look on his face as he walked back up the steps. “Sorry about that,” he said. “My family can be a bit . . . much. You really don’t have to come for dinner if you’re not up for it. I know they can be overwhelming.”

I laughed, stepping closer to him, the cool night air brushing against my skin. “Ethan, don’t apologize. Your family is wonderful. And it’s sweet how much they care about you. ”

His shoulders relaxed as he looked at me, his eyes searching mine. “You really don’t mind? I just don’t want you to feel pressured.”

“Not at all. I’m looking forward to it.” I shook my head, a smile tugging at my lips.

Ethan’s expression softened and he stepped closer. “I’m glad to hear that.”

We stood there for a moment, the night settling around us, the air charged with a gentle, unspoken tension. The street was quiet, save for the distant hum of crickets, and the glow from the streetlights cast soft shadows across Ethan’s face. He had pulled out all the hair clips and bows the minute Lily was gone but I could still see the lingering glitter in his hair.

“Thank you for tonight,” he said, his voice low and sincere. “I really enjoyed it.”

“Me too,” I replied, my voice just as soft.

He smiled, the kind of smile that reached his eyes and made my heart flutter. “I’m really glad you’re here, Vinnie.”

“I’m glad, too,” I whispered, the space between us shrinking until I could feel the warmth of his breath on my skin.

Ethan’s smile lingered, his eyes locked on mine, and the air between us shifted, growing warmer, more charged. My heart began to race, each beat echoing in the quiet of the night as the space between us shrank further. His gaze flickered down to my lips, then back up to my eyes, as if silently asking for permission.

I didn’t hesitate. Without a word, I closed the remaining distance between us, my breath hitching as his soft lips brushed against mine. It was a tentative kiss at first, gentle and unhurried, as though we were both savoring the moment we’d been dancing around for so long.

Ethan’s hand came up to cradle my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against my skin, and the tenderness in his touch melted away any lingering nerves. I leaned into him, deepening the kiss as my hands instinctively rested against his chest. His heart was pounding beneath my fingertips, matching the rhythm of my own.

The kiss was sweet, but there was a slow-burning intensity beneath it, a chemistry that had been building between us from the start. His lips were warm and soft, moving with a quiet confidence that sent warmth flooding through me. Ethan’s other hand slipped around my waist, pulling me closer, until there was nothing between us but the steady thrum of our hearts.

When we pulled back, it was only because we needed to breathe, our foreheads resting against each other as we caught our breath. His eyes were half-lidded, his expression soft and content, and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

“That was worth the wait,” he murmured, his voice husky.

“Definitely worth the wait,” I agreed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan’s thumb gently traced the outline of my jaw, his eyes drinking me in as if committing every detail to memory. “I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” he admitted, his breath still mingling with mine.

“Me too,” I whispered back.

He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering there for a heartbeat before he pulled back just enough to look at me again. “This feels . . . right,” he said, almost as if he was as surprised as I was by how easily everything had fallen into place.

“It does,” I agreed, my hand still resting on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palm.

The warmth of his gaze, and the way his eyes softened as he looked at me, ignited something deeper inside me. A need—a hunger —that had been building for what felt like forever. Without thinking, I leaned in again, capturing his lips in another kiss, this one more urgent, more desperate than the last. The sweetness of our first kiss melted into something more intense, more primal, as I pressed myself closer to him, needing to feel the heat of his body against mine.

Ethan responded, his hands sliding down to my waist, pulling me flush against him as the kiss deepened. I could feel the tension in his body, the way he was holding back, but that only fuelled the fire burning inside me. I wanted more—more of him, and more of this connection that was quickly spiralling out of control.

With a moan, I urged him backward, guiding him through the door and into the living room. My hands roamed over his chest, feeling the strength of his muscles beneath the ridiculous onesie, and I couldn’t help the grin that tugged at my lips. The contrast between the innocence of our surroundings, and the passion sparking between us, only made me want him more.

Ethan stumbled back onto the sofa, his eyes widening in surprise as I straddled his lap, my thighs bracketing his hips. I could feel how hard he was beneath me, and a thrill shot through my body as I leaned down to kiss him again, more hungrily this time. My teeth grazed his bottom lip, drawing a low groan from his throat that sent a shiver of pleasure down my spine.

I reached for the zipper of his onesie, my fingers trembling with anticipation as I began to pull it down. But just as I was about to expose the warm skin beneath, Ethan’s hands caught mine, stilling my movements.

“Vinnie, wait,” he murmured, his voice thick with desire. His eyes met mine, and I saw the conflict there—the longing, but also the restraint. “Slow down. There’s no rush.”

I froze, the heat in my body clashing with the coolness of his words. “But . . . I want to,” I whispered, my voice wavering slightly. I leaned in closer, trying to close the distance again, but Ethan gently held me back .

He shook his head, his eyes filled with a resignation that sent a pang of uncertainty through me. “We don’t have to do this now, Vinnie. Let’s take our time.”

His words hit me like a bucket of cold water, dousing the flames of passion that had been burning so brightly. I pulled back, suddenly feeling insecure, like I’d misread everything. Maybe I’d come on too strong. Maybe he didn’t want me the way I wanted him. The hurt must have shown in my eyes, because Ethan’s expression softened immediately.

“Hey,” he said gently, reaching up to cup my cheek. “It’s not that I don’t want you. Trust me, I do. That kiss was . . . incredible . But I want us to take this slower. I want to get to know you, really know you, without rushing into something we’re not ready for.”

I bit my lip, the sting of tears welling up—more from embarrassment than anything else. “But what if . . .” I whispered, my voice small. “What if you lose interest?”

Ethan’s eyes filled with something tender that made my heart ache in a different way. He shook his head slowly, his thumb brushing over my cheek. “Vinnie, I don’t know who hurt you, or made you believe that you’re not worth waiting for. But to me, you’re special. Really special. And I want this to be right, not rushed.”

His words wrapped around me like a comforting blanket, but the insecurity still lingered, gnawing at the edges of my mind. “I’m just . . . not used to this,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Vinnie, we don’t need to rush this,” he said softly, his voice steady. “We’ve got time to figure things out, to enjoy getting to know each other. I’m not going anywhere, okay?”

I looked at him, the sincerity in his eyes making my breath catch. This was all so different. It was gentler; more patient than anything I’d experienced before. And it scared me .

“Okay,” I whispered, letting his words settle over me. This wasn’t about pushing forward too fast. It was about allowing things to unfold naturally, at their own pace. And, for the first time in a long while, that felt like something I could embrace.

“Come on,” he said gently, standing up and offering me his hand. “Let me walk you home.”

I took his hand, letting him pull me to my feet. The room felt different now—more intimate, but in a way that was comforting, rather than urgent. We laughed as we slipped out of our ridiculous onesies, trading them for something more fitting for the cool night air. Once dressed, we left the living room behind and stepped outside.

When we reached my door, Ethan turned to me, his eyes still holding that same gentle warmth. Without hesitation, he leaned in, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that was tender and unhurried.

When he pulled back, his eyes lingered on mine, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “Goodnight, Vinnie,” he murmured, his voice full of affection.

“Goodnight, Ethan,” I replied, my own smile mirroring his as the warmth of his kiss still lingered on my lips. He waited until I was safely inside, then gave me a final wave before heading back down the path.

Once inside, I leaned back against the door, my mind still buzzing with everything that had happened tonight. Feeling the need to share, I pulled out my phone and dialled into our group chat. It didn’t take long for Amelia and Ivy to answer, their voices full of curiosity.

“Tell us everything!” Ivy demanded, her excitement practically crackling through the phone.

“Did you kiss him?” Amelia asked, her voice eager and teasing.

I laughed, the sound lighter than I’d expected. “Yeah, we kissed,” I admitted. “It was really sweet. But then things got a little intense, and he . . . he wanted to slow down.”

“Slow down?” Amelia repeated, her voice curious but not judgmental. “Like, in a ‘let’s-take-it-slow-and-build-this-up’ kind of way, or more like ‘I’m too nervous to go further’?”

“Yeah,” I said, searching for the right words. “He said we didn’t need to rush anything. That we’ve got time to figure things out.”

There was a brief pause before Ivy chimed in, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. “Vinnie, that’s actually really sweet! He’s not just in it for the physical stuff. He’s showing you that he wants to really get to know you.”

“Exactly,” Amelia added, her tone supportive but still playful. “And honestly, when the time is right, it’ll happen. But it sounds like he’s taking you seriously, and that’s a big deal.”

I smiled, a sense of reassurance settling over me. “You’re right. It just felt . . . different, you know?”

“Different is good,” Ivy said, practically cheering.

Amelia chimed in, her voice full of playful encouragement. “Exactly! And look, when it happens, just make sure you enjoy every second. But until then, it’s kind of hot that he’s holding back, right?”

I couldn’t help but laugh again. “Yeah, it is.”

We chatted for a little longer, their excitement and encouragement making me feel even better. By the time we hung up, I was feeling more at peace, and the insecurities I’d been grappling with earlier began to fade away into the autumn night.