Page 7 of A Certain Step
ETHAN
I don’t mind.
She smiled to herself. What on earth were these feelings creeping up? Good God. She couldn’t think this way. Ethan was her best friend. That was it—nothing more. They were just experiencing a weird, maybe natural, spell of separation anxiety. It’d happen between any two people who saw each other every day and who genuinely liked spending time together. That was it. Nothing more. It couldn’t be.
So, why was her heart fluttering?
WILLA
Who am I to say no then? You’re a godsend.
ETHAN
??
After a solid five minutes, Willa returned to the hall, which was now buzzing with livelier music, crowds circling the bride and groom, and flashing lights with faux smoke. Now, this was the party she was used to. The slower moves only felt safe on the stage, with a partner she could trust. She didn’t need it here in any capacity, however casual it might be. She maneuvered her way toward her people, ready to disregard all unwanted thoughts to bask in the joy of love with the peoplesheloved most.
Later in the night, she’d also learned that the chap eyeing her was Anna’s relatively nice co-worker but not at all Willa’s type. He had approached Anna, asking about Willa, to which she instinctively replied that she was taken, so he’d back off. But also, with very minimal effort, she caught the bouquet because it quite literally landed on her head.Yay? If she believed in that sort of stuff, maybe she’d take it as a sign, but nope.
Seven dayswith her family was both too much and too little at the same time. She was ready to return home to New York, even when she wanted to stay a little bit longer. But she’d be back soon, and her parents were set to visit in a few months. Willa moved through the security line rather swiftly, desperate to sit down with one last airport coffee from Costa and scones freshly baked by her mum.
She entered the nearest shop to buy a bottle of water before walking over to her gate. Willa sat down and opened her phone, doom-scrolling social media until she noticed a saved Instagram live on Sam’s account.
Ethan looked like his skin was crawling, and he needed the camera off him. He had a few smiles—most of which she appreciated, but not this. This was the uncomfortable smile. The one he’d forcewhen a fan was out of line or if he was feeling uneasy in a room. She picked up her phone to shoot him a message.
WILLA
I saw a bit of Sam’s live. You had your uncomfortable smile on. Did something happen?
ETHAN
How on earth did you notice that?
A fan spotted me going into the theatre and ran over to grab my ass. It was the weirdest thing.
WILLA
What the hell!? I’m so sorry, Ethan.
ETHAN
And they had their friend film it, too. So who the hell knows where that’ll turn up.
WILLA
That’s horrid. Jesus. Why’d you get on camera after that? Did you say anything to them?
ETHAN
I turned around and said what the fuck, but they ran off. I’d promised Sam I’d do it with him, so I didn’t want to back out.
WILLA
He would’ve understood if you’d told him.
ETHAN
I know, but I was already in such a shit mood that I didn’t want to sulk about it. Are you at the airport already?
