Chapter Thirty-Six: Date Night Disasters
Ethan Cole did not get nervous.
He closed million-dollar deals without breaking a sweat. He gave ruthless boardroom speeches while others fumbled over their coffee. He never forgot a name, never stammered, never hesitated.
But tonight… tonight was different.
Because he was taking Aria Lane out on their official first date.
And he was borderline panicking.
Chloe's advice from earlier played in his head:
"Do something fun, not stiff. She already knows you're a CEO, don't bore her."
So, naturally, he made a reservation at a swanky rooftop restaurant with a sunset view — romantic, classic, foolproof.
Or so he thought.
Until the restaurant called ten minutes before he was set to pick Aria up and casually informed him the kitchen had caught fire.
Literally.
"Unbelievable," he muttered, hanging up.
He had twenty minutes to salvage the night.
A panicked call to Chloe resulted in,
"Take her to Miko's Karaoke Bar. Trust me. Spontaneity's sexy."
Ethan wasn't convinced, but with no other options, he made the switch.
---
Aria opened her apartment door looking like a walking daydream in a black dress with sparkly earrings.
"You clean up well, Mr. Cole."
"You always look incredible," he replied, meaning it.
She eyed him. "You're sweating."
"It's warm," he lied.
She laughed. "Where're we going?"
He hesitated. "It's a surprise."
---
Fifteen minutes later, Aria blinked up at the bright neon sign.
MIKO'S KARAOKE PALACE
Sing It, Own It, Regret Nothing.
She stared at him, one eyebrow raised. "Seriously?"
Ethan shoved his hands in his pockets. "The restaurant had… complications."
"You're taking me to a karaoke bar?"
"Would you rather I pretend to be a boring rich guy and take you somewhere you'll hate?"
She grinned. "Oh, Cole. You have no idea how much I love karaoke."
Relief flooded him. "You do?"
"I dominate karaoke."
He smirked. "You talk a big game."
"Let's go, Mr. CEO. Time to put those vocals to the test."
---
Inside, the place was packed. Neon lights bounced off mirrored walls. The air smelled like fried snacks and bad decisions. A group of college kids were butchering a Taylor Swift song in the corner.
Ethan booked them a private booth.
Aria grabbed the songbook, her eyes gleaming. "Okay, we're starting with a duet."
Ethan groaned. "I don't sing."
"You'll survive."
Ten minutes later, Ethan found himself on a tiny stage, holding a mic, while Aria belted out 'A Thousand Miles' like a born pop star.
And despite himself… he loved it.
She was glowing, laughing, making exaggerated heart eyes at him as he stumbled through the chorus.
He even attempted a dramatic hand flourish.
Aria nearly dropped the mic laughing.
By the time they finished, the tiny crowd in the booth was cheering.
---
Halfway through the night, disaster struck.
Aria went to adjust her dress and one of the straps snapped clean off.
"Oh no," she muttered, clutching it.
Ethan was at her side in a second. "What happened?"
"My dress just betrayed me."
He pulled off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. "There. Crisis averted."
She smiled. "You're ridiculous."
"You love it."
"Not denying it."
---
The night ended with Ethan being roped into an impromptu dance battle against a group of very drunk bachelorettes. Aria recorded the entire thing on her phone as Ethan — surprisingly agile — managed to pull off a passable moonwalk.
"You'll never live this down," she warned him afterward.
"Worth it."
They stumbled out of the bar around midnight, both breathless with laughter.
Ethan took her hand. "I haven't had that much fun in years."
"Me either."
He hesitated. "So… round two sometime?"
"Definitely."
She leaned up, kissed his cheek, then whispered, "Next time, I pick the place."
Ethan grinned. "Deal."...