Page 104 of A Certain Step
Ethan replied without a second thought. “Absolutely. Let us know when and where.”
Willa agreed with a definite nod.
“Alrighty, lovebirds. I’ll leave you two alone now,” Christian said, walking out the door.
Willa and Ethan waved him off, then turned to each other. She had a look on her face that struck him deep, rotating his insides like a Rubik’s cube, with everything realigning for the first time since yesterday. He’d never get used to this. Never.
He tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear and gawked at her. She already had all her makeup on, save for her fiery, red lips, which he knew she left out because she wanted him to kiss her before applying it.
Ethan leaned forward, pausing at the juncture of her neck. “How’s my girl feeling today?” he asked, planting a kiss at her pulse point.
She let out a small, delectable sigh. “I’m better. It’ll take some getting used to, but I feel okay right now. I almost didn’t wear this shirt, but I didn’t want to let the noise get to me, so I call that progress.”
He took note of the cropped baby-blue tank top she had on with her jeans. She looked incredible. “Good, because you’re perfect, and so is the shirt,” he said.
“You were a little late today. Is everything okay?” Willa asked then.
It was true; he had been—only thirty minutes or so. “Yeah, I told my parents everything last night, and I talked to my sister. Then Nick finally called right as I was about to head out and mentioned his job, so I lost track of time on the phone.”
“I’m so glad you spoke to him. Do you feel a little better about that situation?” If Ethan had to list the things he loved most about Willa, her understanding of his comfort levels would be in the top three. Whether it was realizing that this situation was weighing on him or how she always noticed when he was feeling physically or mentally off, it eased him to know that someone he trusted was ceaselessly looking out for him.
“A lot better,yeah. He said he wants to start therapy because he feels himself shutting down, and I’ve never been prouder. It sucks being away from my family, which I’m sure you get, but it’s worse when you know they’re struggling and aren’t saying anything.”
Her smile was so warm, like sitting in front of a crackling fireplace, soothing and pleasant in the grueling winter.
“It must’ve been even harder on you because you’re the eldest, so you instinctually make everyone’s pain your responsibility.”
Ethan squeezed her to his chest and swung her in place. “Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for choosing to love me,” he whispered.
“I’ll always see you, and I’ll love you through everything,” she confirmed, cuddling closer to him.
He kissed her forehead.
Willa held his gaze. “I do have a favor to ask you,” she voiced.
“Name it.”
“I don’t have the mental capacity to do stage door, at least not for the next few nights. But even if you’re not up for it, can you try? I keep wrestling with how people will perceive me, and I don’t want anyone thinking that I’m pulling you away.”
He shut his eyes for a beat, agreeing wordlessly with a nod.
“I realized something last night, and I wanted to tell you today, but I’m not sure how you’ll react,” he started.
“Try me.”
“Well, now that people know about us, I don’t want anyone else beside me at the Tonys,” he paused, grazing his fingers across her blush. “But only if you’re comfortable by then. I don’t want it to stress you out. If it will, then we can sit away from each other or something.”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “What about your parents?”
He shrugged. “I’m not winning, so I told them not to bother. Plus, it’s graduation week. It’s always a stressful time for them.”
“Ethan, you don’t know that. Why would you rob them of that experience?”
“They’ve been the last two times. It’s not the end of the world.”
She gaped at him. “But this could be monumental for you. Your performance is perfect. Your chances of winning are higher than ever.”
He placed his hands on either side of her shoulder. “If that’s the case, I want you to be the one next to me. You’ve made me a better performer. You’ve helped me stay sane every step of the way.”
