Chapter 12: This Dahlia

I tapped my fingers against the table, barely touching my sandwich as Rachel stirred her iced coffee across from me. The café was buzzing with chatter, but I was too lost in my own thoughts to really pay attention.

Rachel, however, had been watching me like a hawk, and she finally smirked. "So, are we just not going to talk about the phone call, or...?"

I nearly dropped my fork. "What?"

Rachel grinned, leaning forward. "Oh, come on. You've been practically floating since last night, and don't think I didn't hear that giggle when you said he called. Spill."

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "There's nothing to spill."

Rachel gasped dramatically. "Lies. You were blushing the entire time you were telling me about it."

"I was not."

Rachel pointed at me. "You're doing it right now."

I crossed my arms, lips pressed together, refusing to give Rachel the satisfaction. But my mind kept replaying Ethan's voice—low, groggy, teasing even while slightly drunk. I had stayed on the phone with him until I drifted off, and even now, just thinking about it made my stomach twist in ways I wasn't ready to admit.

Rachel grinned knowingly. "So… do you think he'll stop by today?"

That wiped the smile off my face. I glanced at the time. Ethan usually came by the store around 4:15, which meant I'd be at work when he showed up. Or… when he didn't.

Rachel must've noticed the shift in my expression. "You're actually hoping he comes in, aren't you?"

I huffed, standing up. "I have to get back to work."

Rachel just laughed, following me out of the café. "You like him," she sang under her breath, and I shoved her playfully before heading back to the store.

I kept glancing at the entrance, expecting to see Ethan stroll in like he always did, hands shoved in his pockets, smirking like he had all the time in the world.

But he never came.

By closing time, my mood had soured completely. I wasn't sure why it bugged me so much—maybe because of our phone call last night, maybe because I'd gotten used to seeing him every day. Either way, I hated the way my stomach twisted every time I looked up and didn't see him there.

Rachel called while I was finishing up, and I answered with a sigh.

"So?" Rachel asked immediately.

I didn't even pretend not to know what she was asking. "He didn't come."

Rachel was quiet for a moment. "You okay?"

"I don't care."

Rachel hummed like she didn't believe me. "Sure you don't."

I leaned against the counter, running a hand through my hair. "It's stupid, right? He doesn't owe me anything."

"It's not stupid," Rachel said. "You got used to him being around. That's not a crime."

I exhaled, nodding to myself. "Yeah. I guess."

Even my coworker, Mark, had noticed my mood. "Jeez, Lils. You look like someone kicked your puppy."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm fine."

He didn't look convinced, but thankfully, he didn't press me.

By the time I stepped out of the store, I was ready to just go home, crawl under my blankets, and pretend none of this was bothering me.

But then I saw him.

Ethan was leaning against the wall, hands in his hoodie pockets, looking like he'd been there for a while. His head lifted when he saw me, and that slow smirk tugged at his lips.

My heart did a stupid little flip.

I blinked. "Ethan?"

"Took you long enough," he drawled. "I was starting to think you'd sneak out the back."

My mind was still catching up. "How long have you been standing here?"

He glanced at his watch. "Since 4:15."

My stomach flipped again. "Why?"

His smirk widened. "Did you miss me?"

I looked away, pressing my lips together. "That's not an answer."

Ethan chuckled. "Maybe I just wanted to see if you'd notice if I wasn't there."

I huffed. "So why are you here?"

Ethan straightened, shrugging. "I'm here to walk you home."

I blinked. "I have a class to get to."

He tilted his head. "That's fine. I'm here to walk you anyway."

I stared at him for a long moment, unsure what to make of the fact that he had waited outside my workplace for hours just to walk with me. But the way he looked at me—calm, certain, like it wasn't even a question—made my heart stutter all over again.

I sighed, shaking my head. "You're ridiculous."

Ethan grinned. "And yet, here you are, still talking to me."

I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my lips as I turned in the direction of campus. Ethan fell into step beside me, hands still tucked in his pockets, like he had always meant to be there.

And somehow, I didn't mind one bit.