The following day felt heavier than usual.
I didn't know if it was because of the kiss we almost shared at the park, or because my thoughts refused to leave Ethan alone.
I was walking down the hallway toward the kitchen when I caught him leaning casually against the doorway.
"Morning," he said softly, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
"Morning," I replied, trying not to stumble over my words.
He stepped closer.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
"I… I did," I said, forcing a smile. "You?"
He leaned slightly closer, eyes glinting with mischief.
"Not really," he admitted. "Too many thoughts."
I blinked, my heart skipping.
"About?" I asked softly, barely daring to speak.
He tilted his head. "About you. About us. About how impossible this is."
My chest tightened.
"Impossible?" I whispered, my voice trembling.
He stepped even closer, dangerously close.
"Yeah," he murmured. "Because no matter what we do, I can't stay away from you."
My breath caught.
I felt my pulse in my ears.
"I…" I started, but my words failed me.
Ethan smiled slightly, watching me struggle.
"Don't fight it," he said softly. "Stop pretending this isn't what we both want."
I wanted to argue. I wanted to step back.
I wanted to be logical.
But my body refused.
I wanted this.
I wanted him.
And I knew he wanted me too.
Just as our faces inched closer, the sound of laughter from the living room snapped us apart.
Maya.
She was standing there, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.
"You two are impossible," she muttered.
Ethan stepped back slightly, giving me a reassuring glance before addressing her.
"Relax, Maya," he said smoothly. "We're just… talking."
"Talking?" she echoed. "Sure. That's all you're doing."
I felt heat rise to my cheeks.
Maya sighed, shaking her head. "I just don't even know what to do with you two sometimes."
I laughed nervously. "We're fine, really."
But inside, my heart was racing.
Later that afternoon, Ethan and I found ourselves alone in the garden.
He leaned casually against the railing, watching me tend to the flowers.
"You always do this," he murmured.
"What?" I asked, not looking up.
"Look adorable without even trying," he said, stepping closer.
I froze.
"You really are impossible," I whispered.
He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
"I know," he admitted softly.
My heart thumped loudly.
"Ethan," I said, trying to regain composure, "we can't"
He interrupted gently.
"Why not? It's just… this. Us. No one else needs to know."
My breath hitched.
"You make it sound easy," I whispered.
"It's not," he murmured. "But it's worth it."
I felt warmth spread across my chest.
We stood there, the garden around us fading into background noise, until he leaned closer.
This time, I didn't step back.
His lips brushed mine softly.
The kiss was slow, careful, yet full of everything we'd been holding back.
My hands rested lightly on his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart.
"Lara…" he whispered against my lips.
I closed my eyes, letting go of all logic, all fear, all reason.
Because this—this felt right.
For the first time, I didn't want to run.
I didn't want to hide.
I didn't want to pretend.
"I don't want this to stop," I murmured against his lips.
He smiled softly, resting his forehead against mine.
"Neither do I," he said.
We stayed like that for a long moment, letting the world fade away.
Eventually, we pulled apart slightly, just enough to breathe, and I realized something.
No matter what happened with Maya… no matter what obstacles lay ahead….
I couldn't resist him.
And I didn't want to.