Page 36 of Accidentally Yours
Ethan stepped closer. “It was the first show my grandparents saw together.” He reached out, his fingers grazing the glass. Then he turned to her, like they’d just unearthed a treasure.
Paige smiled, her pulse picking up. They both immediately started searching, fingers tracing the frame, the edges, the grooves. Paige went low and Ethan went high. When he stopped abruptly, Paige held her breath.
“No way,” he murmured, pulling a small, aged envelope out from behind the top of the case.
Paige exhaled. “You found it!” She popped up beside him, getting a better look. The cursive and red wax seal were perfectly familiar. Her stomach flipped, and they both stared. Neither moved. Neither spoke. The moment felt . . . special.
“Hey.” Paige placed a hand on Ethan’s arm. “You okay?” He was staring at the envelope like it might vanish if he wasn’t careful.
His throat bobbed, and he let out a slow breath. “Yeah.” He met her gaze, a weight settling between them, but Paige didn’t focus on it for long. She was distracted by two ushers behind Ethan, who watched them curiously.
“Let’s go read this somewhere more private.” She took his hand and pulled him through the lobby, through the heavy doors, and out into the night before anyone questioned what they were doing. Outside, the city hummed—people, traffic, energy. There was still a crowd of theatergoers and Paige navigated through them. When she stopped further down the sidewalk, Ethan spun her toward him, pure happiness in his eyes, and Paige laughed, like they’d just run from the cops.
“I can’t believe we found another one,” he said, his voice filled with quiet wonder.
She couldn’t either. And more so, she couldn’t believe how good it felt, standing there with him.
Ethan held her gaze, and Paige could’ve sworn the entire city blurred away. No more honking horns, streetlights, or people swarming about.
“Where should we go? To read it?” he asked, and Paige’s thoughts tumbled.
Where did she want to go? With Ethan? Her pulse kicked, just thinking of what might happen if they were alone.
“We could go to my place?” he offered, and her heart tripped. “It’s not too far from here. Queenie would be happy to see you. I’ve got wine and snacks.”
She should say no. But she didn’t want to. Her lips parted, the words forming—
“Excuse me?” Someone cleared their throat beside them, and Paige jumped, afraid the ushers had tracked them outside to accuse them of stealing.
Oh, no.
They turned. A journalist with a press badge and an eager expression stood there, phone in hand. “You’re Ethan Cole and Paige Moon, right?” Her eyes gleamed. “The reality TV star and the romance author?”
Paige’s mouth hung open.
Ethan’s fingers curled around the envelope. “Uh—”
“IknewI recognized you,” the woman gushed. “The whole viral street sign moment—flipping hilarious and adorable! I run a culture and entertainment blog, and our readers wouldlovean inside scoop on your relationship. Could I ask you a few questions?”
Heat crawled up Paige’s neck. What was she supposed to do? How was she supposed to act? She was still processing the way Ethan had looked at her a moment ago, the way her heart had completely betrayed her. But Ethan? He didn’t even blink. Without hesitation, he slid the envelope in his back pocket and grabbed Paige’s hand, pulling her close.
“One question,” he said to the journalist, his eyes never leaving Paige’s.
Paige tried not to melt. Tried not to overanalyze the way his hand held hers. Tried not to wonder if he was doing this just for show.
“Oh, you two are just adorable,” the journalist cooed. “Can you tell me how you met?”
“Fate,” Ethan answered, without missing a beat. And the way he said it—like it was the simplest truth in the world—made Paige’s insides flip.
“Aww!” The journalist lifted her phone. “Do you mind if I get a few photos?”
Paige opened her mouth to object or agree or literally say anything, but Ethan beat her to it.
“Of course.”
Then, in one smooth motion, he pulled her even closer.
Oh, no.
