Page 69 of A Certain Step
“I’m not hung up on it. Did it make me more skeptical and distrustful? Yes. But frankly, that’s exactly why I had no interest in anyone else until you. And in that regard, I trust you fully. Now, please take the first bite so I don’t feel like I’ve ruined our day.”
She shook her head, shut her eyes for a beat, then reached for the grilled appetizer. “I’m still mad,” she stated, popping it into her mouth aggressively and then covering it with her hand to chew.
“Welcome to the club. If I ever see your ex anywhere near me, I’m punching his veneered teeth out of his mouth.”
Her eyes widened. She swallowed the piece she’d been chewing and shrugged. “Go for it. Just don’t get caught. We don’t need you getting arrested then going from Broadway’s darling to Broadway’s bad boy…” Her thoughts trailed to a place that brought on a mischievous smile. “Although, you know what, I’d still dig Broadway’s bad boy, too. Go forth. You have permission to defend my honor.”
He made a bowing gesture with his hands. “Your wish is my command.”
She reached for another specialty roll and stopped before putting it inside her mouth. “But in all seriousness. I really am angry. And I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”
“Thanks,” he said, unsure how else to respond. They ate the rest of their food during a brief silence before changing the conversation to ranking the spicy mayo at all their favorite Japanese restaurants.
His dressingroom had been fully open when Willa strode inside and closed the door behind her. Her eyes flickered even from afar. A reaction, he hoped, was from the flowers. Ethan stood up from the couch, dropping his Switch on the small table.
She flung herself into his arms, full force, holding him tightly with her arms encircled around his neck. He inhaled the delicious notes of her perfume, savoring the feel of her so close to him. “What’s this for?” he mused in a low whisper.
Willa faced him then, her one hand traveling through his hair while another came to rest against his chest. He burned white hot where she touched him. “You had to know how much those flowers would mean to me. What the hell am I going to do with you, Ethan? When did you even have the time?”
He held her hand against his lips and placed a kiss on her wrist. Another on the tip of her nose. One more on her forehead. He returned his mouth to hers, tracing her soft, sweet lips with languid brushes. “Sometime in between my nap and meeting you in the afternoon,” he answered. “I’ll get you flowers every day if it means you’ll charge into my dressing room like this.”
“Christ, have you always been this romantic, or did playing Darcy somehow alter your brain chemistry?”
He released a closed-mouth laugh. “That’s all you, beautiful. You’re the one who’s bringing all this out of me.” If she hadn’t decided to keep their relationship a secret, he’d have confessed every one of his feelings. He wasn’t testing the waters, even though they’d decided totry,he knew where he stood.
He loved Willa more than anything in the world, but he understood that she wasn’t ready for that confession yet.
She sighed with deep contentment, then sprung herself into his chest again. He squeezed her close, trailing his fingers along her back. They stayed that way for a minute or two, rocking back and forth against each other in a languid, slow reprieve.
“I don’t know what to say.” She glided her fingers against his cheekbones. “But…my heart feels like it could erupt, and I’m trying really hard not to cry right now because thank you simply doesn’t suffice. I know they’re just flowers, but it means everything to know you heard me—that you’ve always heard me.”
“And I always will,” he promised.
She reached down to the silver watch on his wrist and checked the time. “I have ten minutes before I need to start hair and makeup.”
He beelined to the door, locked it, and hurried toward her lips.
Ethan kissed her deeply, drinking in the giggle that cascaded out of her. Willa swung her arm against his neck, her hands knotting in his hair. She met his lips with equal fervor, identical desperation, tugging and pulling so exquisitely he could swear he was dreaming.
22
WILLA
Sahar looked up from her phone when Willa sauntered back in, eyes widening like a mother who knew what her kid was up to. “For two people trying to keep things a secret, you’re both shit at it.”
Willa turned to the mirror on their table. She’d fixed her hair when she left his dressing room. “You live with me. You notice the smallest changes.”
“Sweet baby child, every one of our friends would be able to tell if you suddenly walked out of Ethan’s locked door with heart eyes on full display.”
Willa leaned closer to her reflection. “What on earth are heart eyes? They look normal.”
Sahar pressed on, raising her eyebrows in a silent scold.
Willa tried to suppress a grin.
“Naomi is going to know the second she takes one look at the two of you when she’s back. She and Innila have a bet going.”
Willa gaped her. “You’re all terrible people, gambling on our relationship.”
