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I considered his suggestion, the idea of living between two worlds. It wasn’t what I had ever envisioned for myself, but then again, neither was falling for a billionaire. “That could work,” I said slowly. “But I have to ask, what would be expected of me? I’m not exactly familiar with the lifestyle of a billionaire. I mean social engagements… stuff like that.”
Ethan chuckled softly, setting his mug down on the counter. “Honestly, there’s no manual for that. But I wouldn’t expect anything from you other than to be yourself. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. The rest, we can figure out together.”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. “And what about kids?” I asked, my voice dropping to a whisper. “Do you want them?”
He stepped closer to me, his gaze intense yet tender. “Yes, I do. But not right away. I think we need time to really get to know each other, to build a life together before we bring anyone else into it.”
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. “I feel the same way. I want to make sure we’re on solid ground before taking that step.”
Ethan reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “We will be. We’ve already been through so much, but we’ve come out stronger. We’ll figure this out, Natalie. Together.”
I looked up at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. The fears and uncertainties that had been gnawing at me began to fade, replaced by a sense of hope. “Okay,” I whispered, leaning into his touch. “Let’s take it one step at a time.”
He leaned down, his lips brushing lightly against my forehead in a gentle kiss. His warm breath tickled my skin as he whispered, “Wonderful, I’m all in.” Then, with a sudden burst of emotion, he added, almost like an afterthought, “And, by the way, I love you.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle, the sincerity of his words wrapping around my heart. “I love you too, Ethan. And that’s not hypothetical,” I replied with a playful smirk.
He laughed softly, his arms tightening around me as he pulled me closer. “Good to know.”
As we stood in the kitchen, wrapped up in each other, I felt a lightness I hadn’t felt in a long time. The doubts and fears that had weighed me down were starting to lift, replaced by a flicker of hope. This wasn’t just a moment—it was the beginning of something new, something real.
“Maybe we’re both a little crazy,” I teased, resting my head against his chest.
“Perhaps,” he agreed, his tone laced with humor. “But at least we’re crazy together.”
After our conversation, we lingered in the kitchen for a while longer, savoring the moment. Eventually, we headed upstairs, the comforting quiet of the house wrapping around us as we climbed into bed. The night had a sense of peace, a kind of stillness that made everything else fade away, leaving just the two of us.
I nestled into Ethan’s side, his arm wrapped around me, the steady rhythm of his breathing lulling me into a sense of calm I hadn’t felt in days. Just as I was starting to drift off, the soft buzz of his phone on the nightstand broke the silence.
Ethan sighed, reluctantly reaching over to grab it. He glanced at the screen, his brow furrowing slightly as he read the message. “It’s from Sophia,” he murmured.
“What’s up?” I asked, turning slightly to look at him.
He hesitated for a moment, then read the message aloud. “We need to meet with Whitmore in the morning. He’s getting impatient and says he’ll find someone else to broker the deal if we don’t lock things down soon.”
I could hear the strain in his voice, the weight of responsibilities that had been hanging over him for weeks. I was coming to realize the reality of his world was never far away, even in moments like this.
I reached up, gently tracing my fingers along his jawline. “You’ll figure it out, Ethan.”
He smiled a little. “Maybe. This deal is more complicated... lots of nuances.”
Recalling our previous conversation, I hesitated for only a moment before saying, “You know, I wasn’t kidding when I mentioned my parents. They really do have a lot of connections in D.C., especially when it comes to government regulations and land use. Maybe we should take a trip there and see if they can help with the Whitmore deal.”
Ethan’s eyes met mine, surprise flickering across his features. “You would really be willing to do that? To involve your parents?”
“Of course,” I replied. “If it can help you, help us, then it’s worth it. They will be thrilled for us to visit. “Thank you, Natalie. For everything.”
“Always,” I whispered back. Nestling against his chest, I felt the comforting rhythm of his heartbeat, a tangible reminder that we had found solace in each other amidst life’s uncertainties.
Twenty-One
Ethan
The next morning, as Natalie and I stepped into Sterling Solutions' bustling parking garage, the building hummed with activity. Exiting the elevator, we entered the sleek lobby adorned with modern decor. My hand found Natalie's, our fingers intertwining naturally as we approached the glass conference room. There stood Sophia, engrossed in a stack of papers, her focus unwavering until she caught sight of us. With a quick nod in my direction, her gaze shifted to Natalie walking beside me, our joined hands speaking volumes without a single word exchanged.
“Good morning, Ethan. And hello, Natalie,” Sophia greeted with a welcoming smile.
I realized I hadn't properly introduced them. “This is my sister, Sophia. Sophia, meet Natalie.”
