Lila’s face heated. "No! That’s not what I meant — I just — "
He raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying this.
She groaned, grabbing a pillow and shoving it against his chest.
Ethan laughed, catching her wrist before she could retreat.
He held her hand loosely in his, his thumb brushing over her knuckles absentmindedly.
The playful atmosphere shifted.
Lila’s heart skipped.
Neither of them said anything for a moment.
Then Ethan exhaled, rubbing his other hand over his face. "I should head back soon."
Lila’s stomach twisted.
She knew he needed to leave, but… she didn’t want him to.
Her fingers instinctively tightened around his.
Ethan noticed. His brows lifted slightly in curiosity, but he didn’t pull away.
Lila swallowed, then, before she could overthink it, she whispered, "You could… stay the night."
The room felt too quiet after she said it.
Ethan blinked.
His grip on her hand didn’t tighten, didn’t loosen.
He just stared at her for a second, like he was waiting for her to take it back.
Lila’s cheeks burned. "I — I mean, if you want to."
A smirk flickered onto Ethan’s lips. "Are you asking me to sleep over?"
Lila groaned, turning her face away. "Forget it. Just go."
Ethan laughed.
It was low and rich, the kind of laugh that sent shivers down her spine.
Before she could try shoving him away again, he squeezed her hand.
"I’ll stay," he murmured.
Lila froze.
She turned back to him, surprised. "You will?"
Ethan hummed. "You clearly don’t want to be alone right now."
Lila hesitated. She wanted to say that wasn’t entirely true — that she could survive a night without him.
But she also knew she’d be lying.
After everything tonight, she just wanted him here.
And now, he was.
She let out a small breath. "…Thank you."
Ethan just smirked. "Don’t get used to it."
She shoved him again.
Lila’s roommate, Cynthia, wandered out of her room a while later, her hair a mess and her expression half-asleep.
When she spotted Ethan still here, she paused, blinking at the two of them.
Then she smirked.
"Ohhh, so he’s staying."
Lila groaned, already knowing where this was going. "Cynthia — "
Cynthia held up a hand. "No, no, I’m just saying, if you guys start doing anything questionable, at least soundproof the walls."
Lila grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it at her.
Cynthia cackled before dodging back into her room, disappearing behind the door.
Ethan was shaking with laughter beside her.
Lila whipped around to glare at him. "Don’t encourage her."
Ethan smirked. "I didn’t say anything."
"Yeah, but you’re thinking something."
Ethan tilted his head. "What? You don’t wanna soundproof the walls?"
Lila’s entire face went up in flames.
She punched his arm.
Ethan was still laughing.
Later, when Lila finally decided to sleep, she curled up under the blankets, Ethan’s presence lingering beside her.
It felt comfortable.
Warm.
Safe.
Even though he was only a few feet away, on the chair instead of in bed with her, she still felt oddly at ease knowing he was there.
She let her eyes flutter shut.
"…Hey, Lila."
She cracked one eye open, catching Ethan’s silhouette in the dim light.
"Yeah?"
A pause. Then —
"Next time?" He shifted slightly. "If something’s bothering you, just tell me. Don’t go drinking yourself unconscious, okay?"
Lila felt a pang of guilt in her chest.
She hadn’t meant to worry him that much.
New novel chapters are published on freewёbn૦νeɭ.com.
"…Okay," she murmured.
Ethan exhaled, and she heard the faintest hint of relief in it.
"Good."
Lila smiled softly.
"Goodnight, Ethan."
"Night, Lila."
And with that, she drifted off.
Sometime during the night, Ethan had climbed into bed with her.
Lila didn’t remember exactly when it happened — maybe she had been too deep in sleep to notice.
But she had definitely felt it.
The warmth.
The steady rise and fall of his breathing behind her.
The way his arm had wrapped around her waist, pulling her close like she belonged there.
Even in her sleep, she had leaned into it. Into him.
But by the time morning came… he was gone.
Lila blinked blearily at the empty space beside her, frowning slightly.
Of course he was gone. He was a busy man.
Still… she had wanted to wake up to him.
Even if it was just for a few minutes.
She bit her lip, trying to ignore the tiny pang of disappointment as she sat up, stretching her sore limbs.
The faint scent of his cologne still lingered on the blankets, mixed with something warmer, something uniquely him.
She let herself indulge in it for a second before shaking it off.
Grumbling under her breath, she dragged herself out of bed and staggered to the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
She usually woke up early to handle breakfast — especially since Cynthia was useless in that department.
But today, something smelled different.
It wasn’t just the usual eggs and toast she made.
This was… richer. Savory.
Her brows furrowed as she stepped into the kitchen —
— And froze.
Ethan was standing at the stove, cooking.
Again.
His dark hair was slightly damp, suggesting he had showered recently.
His jacket was tied around his waist, leaving him in a fitted black shirt that clung to his frame.
And his eyes?
Locked right on the pan in front of him, focused, like this was the most serious mission of his life.
Lila blinked, still trying to process the sight.
Before she could say anything, Ethan glanced at her.
"Morning," he said casually, as if this wasn’t completely unexpected.
Lila opened her mouth. Then closed it.
Then opened it again.
"You’re — " She pointed at him, then at the food, then back at him. "You’re cooking?"
Ethan smirked. "Observant as ever."
Lila scowled. "You know what I mean."
He flipped something in the pan with practiced ease. "Figured you might need a break after last night."
Lila blinked.
Last night.
Right.
She had been so sure he would just head home as soon as morning came.
Instead, here he was.