“I haven’t been on a real date in years. I don’t know what to wear,” I tell Nora over the phone because she’s my go-to in situations like this. Actually, she’s my only person considering I don’t have anyone to ask.

“Go sassy with a touch of slutty. Guys love that,” she says matter-of-factly.

“Oh my God. How do you know that?” I let out a laugh, emptying my suitcase on the bed. Nora doesn’t do dates, and the only time she gets out of the house is to go to the grocery store or visit her best friend. Considering the woman is in her mid-sixties, I imagine her version of slutty and mine are two totally different things.

“I watch a lot of television shows. I’m sure it’s the same in real life,” she tells me, amused with herself.

I roll my eyes, and I’m glad she can’t see me because she’d totally call me out for it. “Okay, well hug Oliver for me, and tell him I’ll see him soon. I’ll call you in the morning and let you know how it goes,” I say, trying to piece clothes together to make some sort of outfit that doesn’t look like I’m going to bed or to the gym.

“You already know how I feel about him. And you better call me. You know I’ll be up all night worrying about you otherwise.”

“I’m sure you will. I promise I’ll call.” And I will. Nora cares about my life more than my own mother, and I’m happy someone does, even if she pretends to hate Oliver. Usually, my life is monotonous, and I live the same schedule over and over. To have some sort of action has got to be entertaining for her.

We say our goodbyes, and I throw my cell phone on the bed, right next to a sundress I bought on a whim yesterday while I was out. Slipping it on, and seeing how it fits in the full-length mirror, I know I’ve found a winner. Considering it’s late summer in Charleston, the evenings are still warm so this will have to do. Pinning my hair to the side and putting on a hint of makeup, I sit down at my computer and am able to type a few pages before a knock echoes through the cottage, pulling me away.

Instantly, my heart flutters as I cross the room and open the door. Ethan greets me with a sexy smile wearing a blue, button-up shirt and slacks.

“You clean up nicely, Casanova.”

Pulling me into his arms, our lips crash together, causing the butterflies inside me to swarm in circles. Taking our time, we kiss until our lips are swollen, until I feel like I can’t breathe. There was a moment when I didn’t think we’d make it out of the cottage.

“You’re beautiful, Vada,” he whispers across my lips, setting the tone of this date. Blush hits my cheeks as soon as Ethan tucks loose hair behind my ear, his fingertips grazing the softness of my neck. Once I close the cottage door, Ethan leads me down the sidewalk.

After seeing him, I feel completely underdressed for the occasion, and my nerves start to get the best of me.

“What?” I ask as he looks over at me with a smirk on his lips. I wait for his answer as we continue walking forward.

“Just thinking about taking that dress off you later,” he teases, opening the door to his car for me. “Hope it wasn’t expensive.” He winks.

His words make me laugh and slightly relax. Once I’m inside the car, I take the moment to suck in a deep breath.

Ethan climbs in and buckles then starts the engine. “Everything okay?”

“Just nervous, I guess,” I say honestly, buckling myself in.

“Don’t worry. I left my cock at home,” he teases, and all the worry I had of the evening melts away just like that.

We drive through town, and I’m confused when Ethan doesn’t slow. I turn to him, ready to ask where we’re going once we cross the second bridge.

“I thought we’d go somewhere on the outskirts of town that’s more intimate, away from all the touristy stuff,” he explains when he notices my perplexed expression. “You can do that any day of the week.”

“Oh, so I’m getting the exclusive Rochester treatment tonight?”

Ethan chuckles. “Babe, you’ve been getting that all week.”

Soon we’re pulling into the parking lot of a restaurant that’s decorated with parts from old boats. Oars, anchors, and ropes are hung on the building, and when we step inside, I realize it’s the entire theme of the place. I immediately fall in love with it. We’re swiftly escorted through the quaint dining area onto the patio. Our table overlooks the white sand and dark blue water, and in the distance, I hear the waves crashing against the shore. Glancing over the candle that lights Ethan’s face, I find myself smiling.

“This is perfect,” I whisper to him, admiring his messy hair and the smirk on his lips. Though there’s a few couples on the patio, it feels like it’s only Ethan and me in this moment.

The waitress walks up, and Ethan orders everything down to my favorite wine.

She returns with a bottle of Cabernet and a basket of hot bread.

“How’d you know about the wine?” I ask.

“Google,” he jokes.

“Oh, stop. You didn’t Google me.”

“I did,” he admits, shamelessly. “Even ordered a few copies of your books to put on the shelf in the cottage for the other guests who rent it. Might actually update the Airbnb listing and tell them the world-famous Vada Collins wrote her upcoming bestselling novel there. It will be as popular as the Stanley Hotel lobby in Stephen King’s The Shining.”

I actually snort. “I hope that works out for you. Could actually become a little cash cow of sorts. People will drive by and stop to take pictures with the cottage. I’ll send you a headshot to hang on the wall.” I wink.

Being like this with him feels so easy and natural. It’s strange how a person can meet someone, and within a few days, it feels like old friends who’ve known each other for years.

Soon our food arrives, and I can’t wait to dig into the Etoufee Flounder Ethan ordered us both. Apparently, it’s a southern favorite, and I actually let out a moan when I take the first bite of fish. The sauce, mashed potatoes, everything is simply delicious.

“Told you,” he says, noticing how much I love it.

“I’m never leaving Charleston,” I kid as I take another bite.

“I wish you wouldn’t,” Ethan says, his tone more serious than before.

His words catch me off guard, and I open my mouth then close it, not really knowing what to say. My whole life is back in Chicago, and I know it was inevitable that this week would end. We both knew.

“I love Charleston because it’s a little bit of city and a whole lot of southern. But mainly because we have everything here, the history, culinary scene, and more. What’s not to love about Charleston?” he asks, quickly changing the subject.

After we’re finished eating, he pays, grabs a blanket from the car, then takes my hand and leads me down the wooden path that points to the beach. The sun dips below the horizon and twilight is upon us. The light breeze brushes over my skin, and soon we’re touching sand. He bends over and removes his shoes, and I do too.

“I have a lot to tell you, Vada.” The light breeze carries his voice.

“Actually, I want to apologize to you, Ethan. I didn’t mean to snoop, and I’m really sorry for doing so.” I look at him, trying to read his facial expression, hoping he understands. “Trust is such a big part of my life, and I felt like I broke that with you.”

Ethan shakes his head at me. “No, no. You have nothing to apologize about.”

We continue walking down the beach, allowing the sand to squish between our toes. Once we’re away from the boardwalk, Ethan stops and lays the blanket on the ground, then sits. Looking up at me, he pats next to him, and I set my shoes down and join him. Our arms brush together, and goose bumps travel across my skin. I nervously laugh, and Ethan does, too, as he stares out at the rippling waves.

“I was married,” he starts, his words catching me off guard. I suspected he had some kind of relationship previously, but I hadn’t figured he was divorced.

“But you’re not anymore, right?” Suddenly I realize I haven’t asked this question. My mind starts playing out all these scenarios of him still being married, which would make me a homewrecker. He doesn’t wear a wedding ring, but that doesn’t mean anything considering his line of work. As I sit here, I realized how I trusted him so easily, that it makes me almost feel stupid for not making sure beforehand.

Letting out a light laugh, he reassures me by shaking his head. “No, I’m not. She passed away five years ago.”

The blood rushes from my face, and the wine from earlier feels like it’s finally kicking in.

“I’m so sorry.” I try to offer some sort of condolence, but I’m at a loss.

“It was sudden and unexpected.” His tone is somber, and I want nothing more than to comfort him. This explains so much about him, and I’m already getting emotional without even knowing the details.

I wait patiently, not wanting to rush him. He continues when he’s ready and tells me about Alana and exactly what happened. As I sit next to him on the blanket, tears stream down my face. I can’t imagine being so young and losing someone so close.

“So I’m sorry for pushing you away. I’ve got issues that I’m still working on. But after reacting the way I did, I felt you deserved to know the truth.”

“Thank you.” I weave my fingers through his. “For trusting me enough to tell me. I’m sure it wasn’t easy.”

“It’s the first time I’ve told her story to anyone,” he admits, my heart swelling. “Southern town, lots of gossips—didn’t take long for everyone to hear.”

“I appreciate you sharing it with me.” I flash a small smile, realizing how big of a step this is for him. “So your daughter?” I swallow hard, not wanting to push my boundaries, but he knows I saw the room that was set up for her.

Ethan sucks in a deep breath as if he’s finding the courage to speak.

“Paris came two months early and fought to breathe from the moment she was born. The tubes, the beeping of the machines, sometimes when I’m sitting in a quiet room, I can still hear it all as if I’m there. I think she died of a broken heart though. Once Alana was gone, it seemed Paris’ likelihood of surviving diminished greatly. It’s like she knew her mama was gone. Ultimately, she was too little, too sick, too weak. She ended up getting meningitis, which came with its own set of complications, and passed away two weeks later.”

Ethan swallows down tears, and I see him fighting his emotions, which completely ruins me from the inside out. There’s something about watching a man be so vulnerable that breaks me down. I’m so upset over this, and I’m crying for him and everything he’s lost. His life was flipped upside down in a matter of weeks.

Regardless, he continues. “The first time I held her was when they unhooked her small body from the machines after she was gone.” He covers his face with his hands.

I place my hand on his back, and he falls into my arms. Ethan holds me as if he’s falling, and I don’t let go. I can’t let go, not when I feel like he’s breaking in my arms. The pain he feels streams through me, and I wish I could take it all away.

“I don’t believe everything happens for a reason. It’s a bullshit thing that doesn’t bring comfort to anyone. No one should ever have to endure such loss—ever. I’m so sorry, Ethan. I’m sorry this happened to you. And I’m sorry you’re having to talk to me about it.”

He sits up and rubs his palms over his eyes. With a helpless shrug, he reiterates, “You deserved to know, Vada. Maybe I’m actually losing my mind, but…” He swallows hard. “You’re not like everyone else. Being with you is different. I feel like when I’m with you, I can be myself again, and that’s a feeling I haven’t felt for a very, very long time.”

I suck in air, and it almost hits me like a pound of bricks when the realization sets in that he’s right. It has been different being with him.

“I know what you mean,” I admit with a smile on my face, staring into his honey-colored eyes. For a moment, no words exchange between us but so much is being said. My heartbeat rushes, and I wonder if he can feel it, too. Ethan Rochester is more than what I ever bargained for, and after tonight, I see him in a completely different light. I truly understand him on a deeper level—something I haven’t ever felt with anyone else.

Ethan leans back on the blanket and pulls me down with him. The light breeze drifts over our bodies as he holds me in his arms. We look up at the stars twinkling in the sky, and in this moment, I don’t want to be anywhere else in the world. Our hearts, our bodies, everything is perfectly in sync, and the thought almost frightens me.

“Thank you,” Ethan whispers after minutes of silence between us.

I sit up on my elbow and look at him, the moonlight casting a shadow on his beautiful features. “For what?”

“For listening, for allowing me to be myself. For not looking at me like I’ve grown a second head or anything.”

I give him a sweet smile, and he pulls me close. His hot breath kisses my skin, and it’s almost too much for me to handle. “You had me at hello, you know that?”

I wasn’t expecting to hear that come from his lips. “Ethan—”

“Don’t.” He stops me, sitting up and pulling me to his chest. My mouth hovers above his until he slightly leans up and claims my lips as his, completely stealing my breath and heart in the flicker of a moment. His kiss is so raw that it almost reaches bone as he cuts me open with the emotion that’s streaming from this kiss. The shift I feel is so powerful, it’s almost as if the entire world tilts on its axis.