Chapter 106: Dinner Date 2
"What about you?" he asked, leaning in a little. "You said you’re a blogger. What kind of stuff do you write about?"
"Everything," she said with a small shrug. "People. Moments. Life. I’m a professional overthinker, so writing is how I keep myself from exploding."
"That sounds poetic," he said, genuinely intrigued.
"Poetic, sure. But sometimes it’s just me ranting about how laundry should count as cardio or why cereal at night is the peak of adulthood."
Ethan laughed—a deep, rich sound that made something flutter in her chest. She liked the way he laughed. Like he wasn’t just being polite. Like he got her.
They talked through dinner, trading stories—some light, some surprisingly personal. Ethan told her about growing up in Zeden, the long hours building his company, and how he almost lost it once to a terrible investment.
She told him about her childhood in Zeden and how her parents had moved to Florittle when she was fifteen, her love for words, and how she once accidentally sent a love poem meant for her crush to her high school math teacher.
"You did not," he said, eyes wide with amusement.
"Oh, I did," she groaned. "Mr. Daniels thought it was a prank. I almost died."
He chuckled. "You’re full of surprises," he said, still smiling.
"I try."
As they finished their meals, Rayna noticed something shift. It wasn’t just that the conversation had gotten easier—it was him. He wasn’t just handsome. Or charming. He was... kind. Thoughtful. And he listened. Really listened. Not like he was waiting for his turn to speak, but like he actually cared about her answers. He hadn’t pretended to be this way the other night. It was just who he was.