Page 11 of Her Naughty Soldier

"Thought you might be hungry," he says softly, almost like he's treading on thin ice.

I accept the sandwich, my fingers brushing against his briefly. It's a simple gesture, but it sends a shiver down my spine. "Thanks," I murmur, trying to keep my voice steady.

We sit on a nearby bench, the mural looming large behind us. Ethan's presence is both comforting and unsettling. The memory of last night is still fresh, and it feels like there's an elephant in the room with us, one that we're both trying desperately to ignore.

As we eat, Ethan breaks the silence first. "You've really outdone yourself with the mural," he says, gesturing towards the colorful wall. "It's incredible."

I can't help but smile, despite the turmoil inside me. "Thanks. It's been a great project. I love being able to bring art into the community like this."

As we eat, the conversation naturally shifts to Ethan's work at the center. He's animated as he talks, and I find myself caught up in his passion for his role.

"There's this one kid, Alex," Ethan starts, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "He's had a rough go of it, you know? Family troubles, run-ins with the law. But there's potential in him, a lot of it."

I lean in, intrigued. "What are you doing to help him?"

Ethan's eyes light up. "Well, we've been working on channeling his energy into something positive. He's got a knack for mechanics, so I've been helping him explore that. We're even working on fixing up an old bike together."

"That sounds amazing," I say, genuinely impressed. "Seeing him make those kinds of strides must be rewarding."

"It is," he agrees, his voice softening. "It's like I'm finally using my experiences for something good. Helping these kids, it's... it's given me a sense of purpose I didn't know I was missing."

As he talks about his work, I see a side of Ethan that's both vulnerable and strong. But as much as I want to get lost in this conversation, in this moment with him, I can't shake off the feeling that we're avoiding the inevitable. There's something we need to address, something that's hanging over us like a dark cloud. And the longer we avoid it, the heavier it gets.

Taking a deep breath, I decide it's now or never. "Look, Ethan, about last night..."

Before I can continue, Ethan interjects, his voice laced with regret. "I should apologize, Lily. What happened... it shouldn't have. I don't want to put you in a position where you have to choose between me and Jake."

I pause, looking at him, really looking. There's a sincerity in his eyes, a concern that's unmistakably genuine. But I can't just let it go, not when there's so much more at stake.

"Ethan," I start, my voice firmer this time. "I know you're worried about Jake, but... have you ever considered that maybe we're using him as an excuse? Maybe we're scared of what this could be?"

He looks taken aback, his eyes searching mine. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, yes, Jake's my brother, and I love him. But I'm also my own person, Ethan. And what I feel for you... it's not just some fleeting thing. I can't keep pretending that it is."

There's a long pause, the kind that's filled with unspoken words and emotions too complex to articulate. Ethan's gaze doesn't waver, and in his eyes, I see a reflection of my own confusion and desire.

Finally, he speaks, his voice soft but resolute. "I don't want to hurt you, Lily. Or Jake. But I can't deny what's between us. It's more than I've felt in a long time."

Hearing him admit it, something inside me shifts. It's like a confirmation of what I've been feeling, a validation of the connection that's been growing stronger every day.

Without really thinking, I lean in, closing the distance between us. Ethan meets me halfway, and our lips come together in a kiss filled with all the emotions we've been holding back. It's a kiss of longing, of understanding, of a connection that's too strong to ignore.

But as our kiss deepens, as we get lost in the moment, we forget where we are. We forget that the world outside our bubble still exists, with its rules and complications. And just like that, our secluded world shatters with the sound of footsteps—Jake's footsteps.

He rounds the corner, and the expression on his face morphs from casual to shock, then to something that looks painfully like betrayal. It's a look that cuts straight through me, leaving a hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Before Jake can even utter a word, Ethan jumps up, a sense of panic evident in his hurried movements.

"Jake, it's not what it looks like. We're not... we're not dating or anything," he stammers, his words tumbling out in a rush. His attempt to defuse the situation only makes it worse, his words hanging awkwardly in the air.

I feel a sting at Ethan's words, a mix of hurt and humiliation. It's as if he's trivializing what happened between us, reducing it to something meaningless, even after what we just shared. I stand up abruptly, the heat of embarrassment coloring my cheeks.

Jake just stands there, his eyes flicking between us, the confusion in them unmistakable. He's silent, but his silence speaks volumes, echoing loudly in the tense air.

I can't bear to stay a moment longer. The weight of both their gazes is too much, a tangible, suffocating pressure. "I... I need to go," I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

As I hastily leave the center, my thoughts are a jumbled mess. Ethan's words echo in my mind, each repetition like a fresh wound. I feel a surge of emotions, from hurt to confusion, all tangled up in a knot that tightens with every step.

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