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“Is she the girl you were talking about, Ethan?” she asks, her tone tinged with curiosity.
I hesitate for a moment, caught off guard by her directness. But then I meet her gaze, and something in her eyes tells me that she already knows the answer.
“Yeah, Mom,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “That’s my Jessy.”
My mom nods, a small smile playing on her lips. “I thought so,” she says softly. “I knew there’s something about the way you were looking at her.”
“I care about her, Mom,” I admit, my voice filled with sincerity. “More than I can put into words.”
She reaches out to squeeze my hand, her touch warm and reassuring. “Then don’t let her slip away, Ethan,” she says softly.
“Life is too short to let love pass you by. Go after her. I’m sure she will change her mind.”
28
Jessica
As we gather around the table at Ethan and Amy’s mom’s place, the warm aroma of home-cooked food fills the air, enveloping me in a sense of comfort and familiarity. Amy and Ethan’s mom welcomed me with open arms, making me feel like part of the family.
Carol serves us a delicious meal of roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans, and as we dig in, the conversation flows effortlessly.
She regales us with stories from Ethan and Amy’s childhood, sharing anecdotes that make me laugh and feel closer to them.
Amy and I have gotten closer over the past few weeks, and when she invited me to have dinner with her and her mom, I was a little hesitant about the offer because I didn’t want to get too close to Ethan’s family, as I’m still not sure what I want to do about my relationship with him.
Our last conversation in my apartment the morning after he spent the night has had me thinking all week.
I can’t deny the undeniable chemistry between us, how he makes me laugh, and how his touch sends shivers down my spine.
But beneath it all, there’s a nagging voice of doubt, a voice that reminds me of all the warnings I received as a young girl about men like Ethan.
Men like Ethan are heartbreakers. They’re smooth talkers, masters of charm, but ultimately, they leave a trail of broken hearts in their wake.
And as much as I want to believe that Ethan is different, that he’s sincere in his feelings for me, I can’t shake the fear that I’m setting myself up for heartache.
But then again, what if I’m the one standing in the way of my own happiness? What if I’m letting my past experiences dictate my future instead of giving myself a chance to truly be happy?
What if Ethan is right and we could make this work?
It’s a terrifying thought to invest time, energy, and emotions into something that may ultimately crumble beneath me.
What if I open myself up to Ethan and allow myself to be vulnerable, only to have my heart shattered into a million irreparable pieces?
I don’t have the answers to these questions, but one thing’s for sure—I can’t keep running away from what could be.
I owe it to myself to at least consider the possibility of happiness, even if it means taking a leap of faith into the unknown.
“So, Jessica,” Ethan’s mom’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “How is it working with Ethan as your boss? Do you enjoy working for him?”
Carol’s question catches me off guard, and for a moment, I struggle to find the right words.
“It’s...uh, it’s been good,” I reply, a nervous smile playing at the corners of my lips. “Ethan has been really supportive, and I’ve learned a lot working at the Grand Princeton.”
She nods, her expression warm and welcoming. “I’m glad to hear that. I know my son can be a handful sometimes, but he’s always had a good head on his shoulders when it comes to work.”
Amy chimes in, her tone teasing. “Yeah, but don’t let him fool you. He’s a softie at heart.”
Ethan rolls his eyes, but there’s a hint of amusement in his expression. “Thanks for that, sis.”
