Page 13 of Guys Can't Write Romance
“The Crawford acquisition is moving forward,” Ethan said, smoothly changing the subject. “I’ve been leading the due diligence team, and Martin was very impressed with my financial models.”
“That’s great,” Daisy said, having to force any enthusiasm. She wanted to steer the conversation back to her writing, to make him understand that this wasn’t just a pastime. It was part of who she was.
Right then, her phone vibrated. Daisy glanced down to see a text from Chloe:‘zzzzzzzzzzzzzz’
She discreetly put her phone away. “You do know that it’s my dream to become a full-time writer?”
“And I can appreciate that,” he said. “But surely we can agree that financial security should be the priority. You’ve seen firsthand what happens when that foundation crumbles.”
The reference to her family’s struggles after her father’s death felt like a low blow, even if Ethan hadn’t meant it that way. Her parents’ love story had been far from perfect. Military life was hard on marriages, but they’d had something real. Something passionate. Her mother still kept her father’s letters in a box beside her bed.
Her phone buzzed twice in rapid succession.
“Do you need to get that?” Ethan asked, a note of disapproval in his voice.
“No, it’s just Chloe being silly,” Daisy said, turning her phone face-down.
The waiter arrived to take their orders. Ethan promptly selected the duck confit, while Daisy couldn’t decide between the salmon and the risotto.
“The salmon is excellent here,” Ethan offered. “Very reliable choice.”
Reliable. It was the highest compliment in Ethan’s vocabulary.
“I’ll have the risotto, please,” Daisy said, feeling suddenly rebellious.
After the waiter left, Ethan reached across the table and took her hand.
“I actually have some news,” he said, his expression softening. “That’s why I wanted us to have a special dinner tonight.”
Daisy’s heart skipped. Was this it? They’d been dating for three years, and Ethan was nothing if not methodical. He’dprobably calculated the optimal relationship duration before proposing.
“Martin called me into his office today,” Ethan continued. “He mentioned that there might be some changes coming in the M&A department. He wants me to prepare for, as he put it, increased responsibilities.”
“Oh,” Daisy said, hiding her confusion. So it wasn’t a proposal. Just work news.
“It’s not official yet,” Ethan cautioned, “but it’s a very positive sign. If it happens, it would mean significant career advancement.” His eyes gleamed with genuine excitement. “It would mean security, Daisy. The kind that lasts.”
The kind her family had never had, he meant. The kind that wouldn’t disappear with a transfer notice or a flag-draped coffin.
“I’m happy for you,” she said, and mostly meant it.
“It could change everything for us,” Ethan continued. “Set us up for the future.”
Daisy nodded, wondering if there was room in that future for her dream of seeing her name on a book spine in a real bookstore. Ethan clearly saw her writing as a quaint diversion, not the burning ambition it truly was.
Her phone buzzed again, this time with a prolonged vibration of an incoming call. Daisy sighed and checked the screen. Chloe again.
“I’m sorry,” she told Ethan. “Let me just send a quick text to let her know I’m fine.”
She typed rapidly:‘At dinner. Stop texting!’
The response came immediately:‘Need me to send No-Doz? Watching paint dry would be more exciting than dinner with Banker Boring. Did you tell him about the contest yet?’
Daisy typed back:‘Yes. He called writing my “hobby.”’
Three angry-face emojis appeared instantly.
“Everything okay?” Ethan asked as she put her phone away.
