The Dinner Game
364 Words
Dating A Hot Tycoon
Part 2 – The Dinner Game
The waiter appeared almost instantly, as if the universe itself was eager to watch this strange encounter unfold. He poured red wine into crystal glasses, the deep liquid reflecting the candlelight between them.
Aria forced a polite smile and unfolded the menu, but she could feel Ethan’s gaze lingering on her—sharp, assessing, almost as though he was reading her thoughts.
“Relax,” he said smoothly, leaning back in his chair. “You look like you’re sitting in front of a firing squad.”
Her eyes snapped up. “That’s exactly how it feels.”
Ethan chuckled, low and warm, and the sound unsettled her more than his reputation ever had. “Then let me ease your nerves. We’re both trapped here, thanks to your parents and my… colleagues. Pretending we’re having a lovely time is easier than glaring at the door all night.”
Aria raised an eyebrow. “You really think pretending is easier than honesty?”
“Absolutely,” Ethan replied without hesitation. “Honesty is messy. Pretending is… clean. Simple.”
She almost laughed at the irony. Here was Ethan Blackwell—the man who destroyed opponents in court with brutal truths—claiming that lies were easier.
The waiter returned, and they ordered without another word. But the silence that followed wasn’t empty; it was charged, heavy with unspoken curiosity.
Finally, Ethan broke it. “So… you’re divorced.”
Her stomach tightened. “Is that supposed to be small talk?”
He didn’t apologize, didn’t even look embarrassed. Instead, he studied her with unsettling intensity. “No. It’s relevant. You’ve already learned what love doesn’t look like. That makes you harder to fool.”
Aria didn’t know if she should be offended or intrigued. “And what about you? Why are you sitting here alone, playing pretend with me, instead of with some flawless supermodel?”
For the first time, Ethan’s confident expression faltered. Just slightly. “Because sometimes, perfection is boring.”
Her heart stuttered, though she quickly covered it with a sip of wine.
This wasn’t going to be as simple as she thought.
---
- Writer
