“I don’t know, really. Mostly just trial and error and binge-watching cooking shows; mainly Rachael Ray,” she said with a laugh. “I’ve always loved to cook and have learned from my mistakes over the years. Owning a restaurant one day has always been a dream of mine, but it has just never happened, so I’ve settled for cooking for fun, instead,” she said, as she began digging into her own plate.
“Well, you would definitely have no problem getting people to come back to your restaurant once they’d tasted your cooking.” Setting his fork down, he looked at her and added, “Maybe you should consider it one day. Like, really think about investing in your dream. My opinion, I think you’d succeed.”
His belief in her thrilled her. She’d always wanted to go for it, but doubt always held her back. Plus, timing and money just never fit into her dream, and the money still didn’t. It took a lot of money to start a business, especially a restaurant, and right now, she just didn’t have the funds to take chances.
“Maybe one day, it’ll happen,” she said.
“Well, I guess in the meantime, I’ll suffer through taste testing all your dishes. I mean, someone’s got to do it, right?” He laughed, as he took another sip of wine, his green eyes dancing with humor as he looked at her over the rim of his glass.
“I’ll only cook for you if you bring this delicious wine over every time. Where did you buy this, it’s probably the best wine I’ve ever had?”
“You like it? There’s a small mom and pop winery about a mile from my house, on the edge of town. They have a lot of other flavors besides that one, all of them equally good. I can bring a different kind each time I come over, or we can stop by there one day,” he said.
“Then I guess we’ve got a deal. You supply the booze, I’ll supply the food,” she said with a giggle. The wine was hitting her, loosening up the tense nerves that had tightened around her all day today, and she welcomed it with open arms.
With one corner of his mouth twitching into a devious grin, he added, “Deal.”
She cocked her head as she studied him. “What’s that ornery grin for?”
With a shrug, he leaned back, finished off his wine, and said, “I just got you to agree to another date with me.”
Her eyes narrowed playfully as she said, “I was agreeing to more free wine.”
“That’s not what it sounded like to me, but if you say so,” he said, his eyes alight with mischief.
“I say so,” she said, and stood up, ready to clean up their mess so she could hear what his explanation was. It had been eating at her for the past few months, and she was dying to know this secret he had.
Feeling relaxed, she stumbled in her red, high heeled shoes as she headed towards the kitchen to put the dirty dishes in the sink. She laughed at herself and reached down, tossed her shoes off to the side, and decided to go barefoot the rest of the night. Feeling Ethan’s eyes on her, she looked up, shrugging her shoulders as she said, “What?”
Two dimples popped out, revealing a softer, boyish side to the usually professional and uptight doctor everyone else knew. “Nothing, just admiring the scene,” he said, still smiling as he stood and began helping her clean up.
“I’m always a hot mess, just so you know,” Brooke admitted, before stumbling for the third time, this time on the heels she had thought she’d put off to the side and out of her way. “Okay, I think I’ve had enough wine,” she said, rolling her eyes at herself. Why had she let herself drink so much? But damn, if it wasn’t the best wine she’d ever had.
“Well, it was exceptional wine, so I don’t blame you for indulging,” Ethan said as he began washing the dishes.
Once the kitchen was clean, they took a seat on the couch, and purposely taking the spot on the opposite end of Ethan, Brooke tucked her legs up underneath herself and asked, “So, I’m ready to hear your story.”
Ethan shifted and dropped his head as if he suddenly found the floor interesting. After a few seconds, he let out a long sigh and said, “Okay.” He raised his head and met her gaze, and then in a quiet voice said, “Her name was Olivia. We were together for three years, and then one day she just vanished.”
Brooke sat up straight, patiently waiting for him to continue, but not wanting to look too eager. She could sense a story here.
Pursing his lips together, he continued, “Things were going good between us, we even talked about marriage, and then one day she was just gone.”
She watched his eyes stare into her living room as his thoughts drifted back to the past.
“We never found her. She didn’t leave me, well, I, uh, don’t think so. I found her car, purse, and ID in a grocery store parking lot. The police and I searched for months, years, but nothing ever came up. And the reason I had to step back was I had gotten a call from Detective Kelley. He said they had some people call in and report seeing her in Michigan, but a month later it turned out to be someone who looked a lot like her. At the time, I just didn’t feel right hoping it was her while I was seeing you. I told myself this was the last time I was letting hope keep me in the past, and if it turned out not to be her, then I would finally let myself move on. So, that’s why I chased you down in the hallway asking for another chance.”
Biting her lip, Brooke said, “And I almost didn’t give it to you. Ethan, I’m so sorry. I didn’t think the answer would be something like this. You don’t have to keep going, I can’t imagine how hard that was. I feel like such an ass now.”
“No, it’s okay. You deserve to know why I pushed you away. This is actually the first time I’ve told anyone.” He paused for a moment, his green eyes finding hers in the dim light of the living room. “And for whatever reason, it feels right to tell you.” He gave her a small smile before he broke his gaze and looked away.
“You can’t lose hope, Ethan. She could still be okay. You could still find her one day. It happens all the time,” Brooke said, wanting to give him some form of encouragement. She couldn’t imagine not knowing what had happened to your loved one.
The defeated smile that formed almost broke her heart.
“Part of me gave up years ago, but another part deep down still looks for her face in every patient’s room I enter or every person I pass on the street. I pray every night that she’s safe, but deep down, I know she’s never coming back. And, I’ve had to become okay with that, because there’s no other way to be. I can’t keep living in the past, and since moving to Sweet Haven, I finally have a reason to look towards the future.”
That last sentence touched her heart. He was serious about wanting something more with her. Leaning over, she placed her hand over his, feeling a strong urge to comfort him. He looked up, his eyes full of sorrow. “I’m really sorry, I didn’t know,” she said.
Smiling, he gave her hand a tight squeeze. “I know and it’s okay. There’s no way you could’ve guessed it would be something like that.”
“Well, this didn’t go as I’d planned,” Brooke admitted, as she leaned back.
Ethan surprised her by laughing. “I can’t imagine what you thought you were going to get.”
Sighing, Brooke said, “The usual scenario. I figured you were going to give me a short spiel about how a girl had dumped you or cheated on you and now you’re gun shy. That’s what I normally hear. Although there was that one time a guy said he was leery about dating because his last girlfriend had left him for his mom.”
Ethan’s head jerked up, confused eyes peering up at her.
Brooke laughed. “Yep, you heard me right. Let’s just say that date didn’t go well. I could almost see why the girl had chosen his mom over him.”
“Wow, that bad?” Ethan winced.
“Mm hmm.” Brooke lightly sipped on her wine. The seriousness of the conversation had killed her buzz and that was the only positive thing out of Ethan’s story.
“Well, I can say that has never happened to me befo
re,” he joked.
She was glad to hear the morose tone had vanished. Tilting her head back, Brooke said, “After the day I’ve had, I’m so glad I have tomorrow off.”
“Well lucky you, but unfortunately I have to be in early tomorrow.”
“Ah, the perks of being a doctor,” she teased.
“I wouldn’t call that a perk. Surprisingly, I’m actually not a morning person, but it’s part of my job.”
Craning her neck to see him better, she said, “Really, you seem like you’d be such a go-getter in the morning, I never would have guessed.”
“Well, I am a go-getter, as you call it. It just takes me some time to get there when I’m always up at four in the morning.”
Pushing a loose wave out of her face, she said, “Yeah, I have trouble getting up at six am, let alone four, I don’t see how you put in the hours you do. It’s got to be so stressful,” she said.
Rubbing at the shadow of stubble coating his cheeks, his voice became softer, almost unrecognizable from the confident, demanding voice she was used to. “It’s definitely stressful, but this career was already laid out for me. I was made to do this. I wouldn’t know what else to do with my life, other than try my best to help heal people.”
“And you’re very good at what you do, Ethan. I’ve seen you with your patients. You’re so kind and gentle, and you really take the time needed to see them, unlike a lot of doctors who just want to get in and out of each room as fast as they can. You care, and it shows in your demeanor.”
She didn’t miss the slight blush that spread across his cheeks and the quick glance he gave her from the corner of his eye, obviously humbled by her compliment.
“Thanks, I do my best,” Ethan said, his fingers rubbed across the stubble on his right cheek, the friction harsh against the somber atmosphere.
Cocking his head to the side, he gave her an apologetic look. “Unfortunately, I’d better get going. Four am comes early, and tomorrow will be another thirteen-hour day.”
“Of course,” Brooke said, jumping up. She led him to the door and was suddenly nervous. Tonight had ended on a depressing note and she hoped she hadn’t made him feel bad.
Turning to face her, Ethan said. “Thanks for inviting me over for dinner. Your cooking was a five-star rating.”
“Whatever,” Brooke joked.
“Seriously. It was far better than going out,” Ethan said.
“Well, thanks. I think you’re exaggerating a tad, but I’ll go along with it.”
“Have a good night, Brooke,” Ethan said, and with a nod, he turned and opened the door. He paused in the doorway and turned on his heel.
Surprised to suddenly be face to face with him, Brooke went to take a step back, but Ethan reached out and placed his hand on her hip, locking her in place. Her eyes widened, not sure if she wanted him to kiss her, but his lips pressed softly against her cheek instead.
He held them there for a second longer than needed before he pulled back just a few inches, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, “Thank you for dinner.”
Brooke watched him head out the door, for once speechless.
Chapter 16
ETHAN
With his briefcase in one hand and a much-needed cup of coffee in the other, he pushed open the hospital door, and headed into the parking garage. His dress shoes clicked loudly against the concrete, the echo harsh against the stillness. As he got to his car, his cell began vibrating. He set his coffee on the roof of his car and pulled his phone out of his pocket. The name displayed made him smile. He quickly answered it, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“How are you doing, Brooke?” he asked by way of greeting.
“I’m doing wonderfully, Dr. Harris,” she said with a giggle.
Ethan paused for a moment, waiting on her to announce the reason for her call. After explaining everything last night, he had been holding his breath and waiting for her to reach out to him. He didn’t want to push too much, so he had refrained from texting her all day, even though he had been dying to. But there was a long pause as she remained silent. “Is there something I can do for you?” he urged.
“Oh, yes. I, um, well,” she stammered.
Ethan frowned, wondering what had her tongue tied. The woman spoke fluent sarcasm, so this sputtering about was unusual. “Is everything okay?” Ethan questioned.
“Yeah, everything is fine,” she said quickly.
He heard her take a breath, obviously trying to gather her composure.
“I was wondering what your plans were tonight?” she asked, and Ethan smiled at the hesitance in her tone.
“None, as of yet. Unless you’re asking me on another date?” he asked.
“And if I were asking you out on another date?” she probed.
“Then I would have plans,” he replied, with a hint of a smile slowly appearing.
“Okay, then pick me up at eight,” she stated.
“And where are we going?” he asked, as he pulled out of the garage and headed down Burton Ave.
“Don’t worry, I’ll pick somewhere good,” she said.
“I’m not sure why, but now I’m worried,” he teased.
“Just don’t be late or I could change my mind,” she warned.
Ethan agreed, and two hours later, at exactly seven forty-five, he was knocking on her door. He ran a hand down his navy-blue polo shirt, making sure it was free of any lint. He wasn’t sure why she’d decided to give him a second chance, but as he held the single rose in his hand, he wasn’t going to blow it this time.
He could hear music playing, and after waiting several more minutes, he impatiently turned the door knob. He shook his head as the door opened, already planning on lecturing her about not keeping her doors locked. “Hey Brooke, it’s Ethan. I’m not late and you left your door unlocked. Anyone can just walk in,” he yelled.
He peeked his head around the door and couldn’t believe his eyes. Trying to control his laughter, he watched as Brooke’s arms swayed above her head and her waist shimmied from side to side, moving in a perfect rhythm to some Britany Spears song he’d heard on the radio. She dipped down, her head bouncing back and forth and then she popped back up as her hips gyrated vigorously. He let out a loud laugh, not able to hide his amusement any longer. She whipped around, her eyes shocked at first and then they began to dance wildly with humor.
Ethan clapped as he stepped all the way into the living room, laughing the whole time. “Great show,” he said.
She grabbed her phone from the counter and turned off the music. “Do you normally just walk into a woman’s home unannounced?”
He threw his hands up defensively, and said, “Hey, you shouldn’t leave your doors unlocked, anyone can just walk in. And I did knock, but you were too occupied to hear. Plus, I didn’t want you to think I was late,” he teased.
She looked at her phone and to the rose dangling from his hand. “You’re early and you got me a rose? But I shouldn’t be surprised,” she noted, taking the rose from his extended hand. “Thank you, Ethan, it’s beautiful.”
He watched her pull a vase from the bottom kitchen cabinet, fill it with water, and then place the vase with the single rose at the center of her kitchen table. “And why are you not surprised?” he asked.
She turned around and her eyes trailed up and down the length of him, taking in his pressed slacks, polo shirt, and shiny dress shoes. “Because you have a type A personality,” she stated, with a shrug of her shoulders.
“Is that a bad thing?” he asked, extremely interested in what she thought.
She shook her head. “Well, it can be bad at times, they more than likely die of coronary heart disease, but no, I happen to like type A’s.” She walked past him, and with a hand resting on the door knob, said, “Are you ready?”
Ethan laughed. “So, where are we going?�
��
“It’s a surprise,” Brooke said with a smile.
“Okay, now I’m definitely worried,” he teased.
“It’ll be a blast, don’t worry. But we’d better get going, the fun stuff starts at eight-thirty,” she announced.
“What fun stuff?” He followed her, trying not to be obvious as he took in the way her hips swayed seductively from side to side.
“You’ll see. I’m going to loosen you up a bit,” Brooke called over her shoulder.
“I need loosened up?” he asked, somewhat appalled by the statement.
Brooke stopped at the passenger door of his car and said, “Just a tad.” She emphasized this by holding her index finger and thumb up, a mere inch apart from each other.
He stared at her and then licked his lips as he unfastened the first two buttons of his polo shirt and said, “I can be loose,” throwing his hands up in defiance.
She laughed and shook her head as she opened the door and got in. Ethan followed suit, curious as to what kind of night she had planned for them.
As he put the car into reverse and backed out, he looked over and repeated, “I can be loose.”
“We shall see,” Brooke said with a laugh.
“So, am I dressed appropriately for where we’re going, since I had no way of preparing?” he asked.
He watched her look him over and then she finally shook her head. “I guess. It’s still a little uppity for the restaurant, but it’ll do.”
He raised his eyebrows at that comment, wondering what place she had picked out for tonight.
“Have you ever heard of The Flavorful Fork?” she asked.
Shaking his head, he said, “No, what kind of place is it?”
With a big smile, she said, “You’ll see when we get there. Head down Burton Ave. It’s downtown, along the square.”
Ethan agreed, and twenty minutes later they were squeezing into a tight parking spot along the square. It was a rare thing for him to be nervous, but Brooke seemed to bring out different aspects of his personality. His eyes narrowed as he looked down at his outfit. He thought describing it as ‘uppity’ was a little harsh, he preferred the word sophisticated.
When Love Ignites Page 13
