Chapter 6

Ethan D'Angelo sat in his sleek black car, parked just around the corner from the fancy French restaurant. His fingers drummed against the steering wheel, a slight tension in his jaw betraying the otherwise calm facade he put on for the world. He had dropped Sophie off just moments ago, watching as she walked into the restaurant with Tom, her boyfriend, looking... well, breathtaking.

He clenched his teeth.

She was wearing a dress that clung to her curves, the kind of dress that made heads turn—and it had certainly made his head turn. But the look on her face wasn't one of confidence. It was... nervous, unsure. Ethan knew Sophie. She didn't do things for attention; she did things for comfort. And seeing her step outside of her usual style, trying to impress Tom, it did something to him. Something he didn't want to acknowledge.

Why had he agreed to drive her?

Ethan let out a frustrated sigh. It wasn't about the drive, not really. She was a good friend, and he cared about her. But tonight, seeing her dressed up like that, something inside him shifted. He could feel the knot in his stomach tighten as soon as Tom had complimented her.

"Wow, Sophie, you look incredible."

Ethan didn't want to hear it. He didn't want to hear anyone—especially Tom—looking at her like she was a prize to be admired, an object to be put on display. Sophie wasn't a prize. She was a person. His person.

What the hell am I thinking? Ethan fisted his hands on the wheel, trying to dispel the thought. He wasn't in love with Sophie. He wasn't. It was just a momentary feeling, something irrational that he could brush aside. He was just... concerned for her.

But then why did his chest feel tight whenever she laughed with Tom? Why did he feel the need to protect her from every guy who looked at her like that?

He shook his head. Sophie was with Tom. Sophie was happy with Tom. She didn't need him looking over her shoulder, second-guessing every interaction.

But when had Sophie ever looked happy like this? He couldn't remember the last time she had dressed up for anyone, least of all a guy. There was a vulnerability about her tonight, something that made her even more beautiful, and that was hard to ignore.

---

As the night dragged on, Ethan found himself unable to focus. He kept checking his watch, watching the time tick away. Sophie had said she would be back in an hour. That meant he had one hour to get himself together and stop obsessing over the way Tom was looking at her.

His phone buzzed. It was a text from his sister, Zoe.

Zoe: You're watching Sophie's date, aren't you? Haha, I knew you'd be the protective older brother type.

Ethan rolled his eyes and replied.

Ethan: I'm not her brother, Zoe.

Zoe: Right, sure. Whatever you say. You know you like her, right?

Ethan's fingers hovered over the keyboard. He could lie. He could tell Zoe to drop it. But he didn't. Instead, he typed out a single word.

Ethan: No.

He hit send, but a deep pit formed in his stomach. He didn't know if he was lying to her or lying to himself.

---

Another text pinged through his phone, this time from his grandmother, Vivian.

Vivian: Ethan, when are you going to stop being so stubborn and admit it? You and Sophie would make the cutest couple.

Ethan groaned aloud, slamming his phone down on the passenger seat. Was the whole world in on this except him?

His grandmother had always been an instigator, and she had this uncanny ability to see straight through his walls. She was relentless when it came to matters of the heart. Ethan's own heart? Well, that was something he had kept hidden for years—locked up, buried deep. The last thing he wanted was to be vulnerable.

So, why did he feel like he was losing control tonight? Why did it feel like everything he had built up—his work, his career, his carefully crafted persona—was slipping through his fingers just because Sophie had worn a dress?

He finally gave in to the urge to check his phone again. The restaurant was a couple of blocks away, so he couldn't resist any longer. He opened his messages to find a simple one from Sophie.

Sophie: Thanks for the ride. I'm having a great time. Tom says he'll text you when I'm done.

Ethan didn't even bother replying. He just put his phone down and stared at the empty street ahead, the city lights blurring in front of him.

---

Half an hour later, Ethan still hadn't moved. He saw Sophie and Tom exit the restaurant. Tom had his arm around her waist, laughing at something Sophie said. Ethan's fists clenched again.

But Sophie... she was smiling. For real this time. She had this glow in her eyes that he hadn't seen in a while, and it tugged at him.

She wasn't his to protect. She wasn't his to claim. She was free. But seeing her with Tom, seeing her with someone else, felt like a punch in the gut.

---

Sophie and Tom stopped by the sidewalk, exchanging a quick kiss before Tom got into his car. Ethan's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, catching Sophie's gaze.

There it was again. That look.

It wasn't anything new, but it was enough to make his chest ache. Sophie didn't know what she did to him. She never would.

But he knew one thing for sure: if she ever really needed someone, if she ever truly needed someone to look out for her... he'd be there.