Page 104 of One Touch

What’s your earliest memory?

Did you see that incredible news story about the talking cat?

How do you keep your bed sheets so soft?

And finally:

Could you ever foresee a future where me and you end up together romantically, very much in love?

I didn’t write down that last question. But I thought about it a lot.

I tried to figure out my outfit next. It had to be perfect. Elegant but flirty. Something that fit perfectly, but looked completely natural. It couldn’t scare him off, but it had to turn him on. It had to be more than just a fuck-me dress, though. It had to be a love-me one.

After work, I walked back to my apartment in a hurry. It had been a long while since I’d walked this way along the Main Street. I’d been at Ethan’s for so many nights now that going back to my place felt like I was going back in time. When I opened my egg-yolk yellow front door and walked back into the musty space, it felt like I’d forgotten a little of myself in here. Still, I wasn’t here to get all philosophical. I just needed some damn clothes.

I rifled through my closet, pushing aside sundresses and cardigans until my eyes landed on a vintage swing dress in a rich emerald green. This could work. The sweetheart neckline and fitted bodice were flirty without being over-the-top.

I took a long, steamy shower, then I slipped the dress on, relishing the feel of the silky fabric against my skin. The full skirt swished around my knees as I twirled in front of the mirror. It was elegant but fun, just like I wanted tonight to be.

I had a tendency to go a little over-the-top when it came to accessories, but tonight I held back. A delicate gold pendant and small hoop earrings added a touch of shine. I stepped into a pair of strappy gold heels—high enough to make my legs look good, but not so high I’d be limping by desert.

Next came my hair and makeup. My hands were still shaking with nerves as I swept my copper locks into a loose, low chignon, letting a few face-framing strands escape. A swipe of liquid liner made my eyes pop, while a dusting of rosy blush highlighted my cheekbones. I finished with a subtle pink lipstick. As I grabbed my clutch and took one last glance in the mirror, my nerves began to melt away, replaced by a flutter of pure excitement.

Tonight was the night.

The night that would define my future with Ethan McCoy.

We were either going to tear up that rulebook and open our hearts to each other, or . . . well, we’d have to shove our messy feelings back into neat little boxes and become experts on books about blood and gore in the city. Well, that applied to me, anyway. Although I hoped and prayed that Plan B only existed to make Plan A look even better.

Finally, I felt ready. Until Ethan rang my doorbell, that was. And then my heart practically leaped out of my throat.

I opened my front door to see him waiting outside, leaning against his car. My breath caught in my throat. He looked incredible. He wore a tailored navy blue suit that hugged hismuscular frame in all the right places. Beneath it, his crisp white shirt had the top couple of buttons undone, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his tanned skin and strong neck.

As he stepped forward to greet me, I couldn’t help but admire the way the suit moved with him, the material flexing and shifting over his athletic build. His dark hair was artfully tousled, like he’d just run his fingers through it, and the faint scruff on his chiseled jaw only added to his rugged, masculine appeal.

But it was his eyes that really did me in. Those piercing blue depths were filled with warmth and appreciation as they raked over me, taking in every inch of my carefully selected ensemble. I practically shivered under his gaze.

“Wow,” he breathed, reaching for my hand. “Lily, you look . . . stunning.”

“You clean up pretty well yourself. I don’t see a single speck of grease on you.”

“I treated myself to a shower. Seeing as this is a special occasion and all. Speaking of which, I’m gonna take us over in Bessie.”

“Bessie?”

He gestured at his vehicle. I’d been so focused on him, I’d barely taken it in. It was baby blue and well-polished. Like all the vehicles Ethan seemed to own, it was a classic.

“1957 Chevy Bel Air. The second most beautiful thing I’ve seen today.”

My cheeks colored. “So, where are you taking Bessie and me?”

“Hop in, and you’ll find out.”

***

The neon sign of Seoul Food blazed against the twilight sky, its hot pink and electric blue hues lighting up the spring evening.The Korean restaurant, a hidden gem nestled in a narrow alley off Goldharbor Bay, beckoned with promises of spice and adventure.

“Oh my!” I exclaimed. “I’ve been dying to try this place. I keep asking Elara, but she’s had morning sickness and been living off white rice and potatoes for three months.”

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