Page 49 of When the Angel Falls First

Ethan, not missing a beat, responded with, “You can never be too careful these days. There are a lot of strange people out there.”

I swallowed back an ironic laugh. If only he knew the extent of the strangeness I was dealing with.

Caleb ducked out of sight like a secret agent caught in the spotlight, blending into the darkness in a swift movement that would’ve been impressive if it wasn’t so exasperating.

My heart pounded in my chest, not in a fluttery, romantic kind of way, but like the rhythm of a war drum. Caleb was gone from sight, yet his presence lingered, prickling at the back of my neck. The sensation of being watched persisted, just like that shadow hovering where it didn’t belong.

Is he still out there somewhere?

For fuck’s sake.A flicker of defiance ignited within me. Couldn’t I just get one normal date with a normal guy? This wasmylife,mydate. Caleb had no say in it. He had made it crystal clear that he didn’t want me. But did that mean I was supposed to sit alone, awaiting his approval on who I could or couldn’t see? I was Josie Ray, proud bookstore owner and cat herder, not some damsel in distress waiting for a prince who clearly had no intentions of sticking around.

A new determination rolled through my veins. I would notlet Caleb’s ghostly watch influence my actions nor my emotions.

If he wanted a show, I’d give him one.

With renewed spirit, I turned to Ethan, his dark hair catching the soft glow of the restaurant lighting, his hazel eyes waiting patiently. He seemed like a good man, a bit socially awkward, perhaps, but kind and endearing, not to mention devilishly handsome. He was the dark antidote to Caleb’s golden light, and I appreciated that difference on a cellular level. A part of me felt a pang of guilt, but it was dwarfed by the empowering surge of control.

“Ethan,” I started, offering my most charming smile. I could feel my cheeks heating up, but I held his gaze.

Gathering all the confidence I had mustered, I leaned across the table, willing my eyes to twinkle with mischief under the warm glow of the fairy lights dangling from the restaurant’s ceiling. My hand reached across, gently touching Ethan’s, whose eyes widened slightly at the sudden contact.

“Oh, Ethan,” I cooed, my voice a soft purr, giving his hand a squeeze. “You know, you’re quite a gem yourself. You’re like—” I desperately tried to remember the name of that rock I studied in seventh grade science. “Ageode. Ordinary at first glance but extraordinary once you look closer.”

Ethan blinked at me, his lips parting as if he were saying “oh,” but nothing came out. His reaction was funny, poor guy, like a deer in the headlights. I bit back a laugh, pressing on, my heart pounding in my chest with a mix of thrill and amusement.

I added, “And who wouldn’t want to crack open a geode as handsome as you?”

Ethan blinked, a look of utter bemusement crossing hisfeatures. I could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he tried to make sense of my forwardness.

Leaning back, and taking my hand with me, I said, “I mean, I can see layers and layers in you, just waiting to be explored,” I continued, giving him my best come-hither look.

He swallowed hard and tilted his head.

I felt emboldened, drunk on the power of my own charm, fueled by a defiant need to show Caleb, wherever he was, that I could play this game, too.

I don’t need him.

Ethan bit his lip. “I have always been very intrigued by the complexities of modern social engagements.” He grimaced, perhaps noticing the odd turn of phrase in his own words.

“Sure,” I offered. “Complex social engagements are very hard to untangle.” I reached out and put my hand on his once again, as much to comfort him as to carry on the flirt.

Ethan’s eyes flicked from my own down to where my hand rested over his and then back again. His gaze was similar to that of a child faced with a difficult math problem, completely clueless, yet undeniably eager to understand. I suppressed a chuckle with a coy smile instead.

A young waiter sauntered over, and I took a big gulp of water to help me keep my course. His nametag announced “Stephen,” and he folded his hands in front of him. “Good evening. Can I bring you any appetizers?”

Ethan continued to stare at me, blinking like an owl caught in daylight. Then, as if a lightbulb had flickered on, his face broke into a broad grin. “Oh,” he said, his voice rich with sudden understanding. “You’re flirting!”

I nearly choked on my water.

“I can come back.” Stephen backed away with a bemusedsmile. As he scampered off to attend to other customers, Ethan leaned in closer, his smile cheeky.

“I must admit,” he confessed, his gaze locking with mine. “Innocent rock puns roll off my tongue more easily than flirtations. But I think I can get the hang of it.”

True to his word, the rest of the evening unfolded with a natural ebb and flow of lighthearted teasing and laughter. Ethan, once he was over his initial surprise, played along with my flirtatious antics, even throwing in some quips of his own that had me giggling.

It felt easy, uncomplicated, and completely under my control.

The sense of being watched remained, but I used it to fuel my playful defiance, maintaining the pretense of a budding romance with Ethan.

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