(Clara)
The date had gone far better than I expected.
By the time Ethan and I stepped out of the restaurant, I found myself smiling more than I had all week, and for the first time in what felt like forever, my thoughts weren’t tangled up in confusion, guilt, or questions I couldn’t answer.
I felt normal and happy even.
The cool evening breeze brushed against my skin as we walked toward his car, and Ethan reached for my hand almost immediately, intertwining our fingers together as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
“I had a really good time tonight,” he stated as he opened the passenger door for me.
“I did too,” I replied honestly.
His smile widened.
“Good,” he stated before closing the door gently behind me.
The drive back should have ended at my apartment.
At le
