Chapter 2 – A Night to Remember
A quiet restaurant with dim lighting, soft instrumental music playing. The scent of freshly baked bread and herbs lingers in the air. Ethan sits at a table, waiting, his fingers tapping against the menu. The entrance bell chimes as Lily walks in.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(standing up with a smile)
Lily, you made it.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(smirking as she takes a seat)
You sound surprised. Did you think I’d ditch?
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(chuckles)
Would’ve been tragic.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(raising an eyebrow)
Tragic?
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(leaning forward slightly)
Yeah. I’ve been looking forward to this all day.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(mocking playfully)
Smooth, Blackwell.
A waiter arrives, taking their orders before stepping away. The conversation flows effortlessly.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
So, what’s something I should know about you?
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(tilting her head in thought)
I read the last page of a book before starting it.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
That’s practically a crime.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(laughing) I like knowing how things end before I get invested.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
Then this must be tough for you.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
What is?
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(holding her gaze)
Not knowing how this [gesturing between them] ends.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
For a moment, silence. Something unspoken lingers between them before Maxwell approaches, interrupting.
Maxwell Blake (Ethan’s colleague)
(grinning as he claps Ethan’s shoulder)
Well, well, Ethan on a date? Should I be honored to witness this?
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(groaning) Max, go away.
Maxwell Blake (Ethan’s colleague)
(laughing) Relax, I’m just saying—don’t mess this up. It’s rare to see you actually interested in someone.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(raising an eyebrow at Ethan)
Is that so?
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(clearing his throat, sending Maxwell a glare)
Maxwell was just leaving.
Maxwell Blake (Ethan’s colleague)
(chuckling, raising his hands in surrender)
Alright, alright. Just don’t overthink it. Go with your gut.
Maxwell Blake (Ethan’s colleague)
[nods at Lily] Nice meeting you, Lily.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(smiling slightly) You too.
Maxwell leaves, and Ethan sighs, shaking his head.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
So… rare for you to be interested, huh?
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
What can I say? You’re different.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(playfully rolling her eyes) Smooth again.
Their food arrives, and the rest of the night passes in laughter and conversation. As they leave, Ethan walks her to her car, hesitant to end the night.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
So, what do you think? Would you go on another date with me?
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(pausing before smiling slightly)
Maybe… if you keep up the smooth lines.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
Challenge accepted!
She gets in her car, and as she drives away, Ethan stands there, knowing one thing for sure—he wasn’t going to let her slip away.
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