The shorefront looks beautiful and Ethan guides me toward the gorgeous restaurant I’ve admired from afar many times. It’s emptying right now, the dim glow of the lights inside seeming to be a sign that they’re closing for the night. I look up at Ethan.
“I think they’re about to close…”
“I’ll make sure they stay open for us,” he says, his tone confident. “This night is going to be perfect.”
He lets go of my arm and I watch as he approaches the manager, speaking to her in low tones. She doesn’t look happy at first, but when he takes out a checkbook and writes a figure on it, her eyes widen. Whatever he’s offered them, it must be a lot. She nods enthusiastically and even as the last person leaves the restaurant, a waitress sets up a table for us, fussing around, trying to make us feel welcome. I shake my head in disbelief as we sit down.
“I can’t believe you did that,” I exclaim. His eyes meet mine, his gaze intense.
“I just want tonight to be special,” he says firmly. “You look so beautiful. I didn’t want to take you just anywhere. And besides, I’ve been walking around for hours looking for you. I’ve worked up an appetite for something good.”
I smile, and my cheeks flush. I can barely believe I’m here, sitting opposite the man of my dreams.
Does he have any clue how long I’ve waited for this? Probably not. Not many young girls fantasize about dating their dad’s best friend, or a guy twice their age. But he’s different from the dumb boys my age. They lack everything he has, his maturity, his kindness, his passion. They just want a body to sleep with and nothing else.
But when I look at Ethan, I see a man I can talk to. A man who has interesting things to say. A man who would want more than just a physical connection. I saw from the way he looked at me that this isn’t just about sex. It’s about everything I have to offer him.
And I’m going to offer him everything I have.
I take a quick glance at the menu, but I can barely concentrate. As much as this place is incredible, I’m not here for the food. I don’t even know what I order when the waitress comes to serve us. All I know is that moments later, I’m being poured a drink and Ethan is holding up his glass to mine.
“Cheers,” he says and I clink my glass against his.
“Cheers.”
We both take a long sip and then he puts his glass down, his focus returning entirely to me. It makes me blush. I feel like I’m being seen in a way that no one has seen me before. Like he’s really looking at me, really seeing deep into my soul.
“You’ve grown up a lot since I last saw you,” he says. “I remember the last time we were together, you were only sixteen. It was around your birthday, wasn’t it?”
I nod, struggling to speak. I’m so nervous that my hands are trembling. But I just need a little time, a little wine, and I can relax a bit, even if the electricity in the air keeps me on my toes.
“You took me by surprise when I saw you today,” Ethan says. “I wasn’t expecting…well, I wasn’t expecting you. Your father never mentioned that you were studying here. And…well, you’re different now too. I guess when I bumped into you, I couldn’t quite believe who you were.”
“I’ve had a lot of time to mature since then,” I whisper. I don’t want to be compared to my sixteen year old self. I want him to see the grown woman before him. And I think he does because he can’t seem to keep his eyes from roaming over my body. Does he really find me that attractive? I’ve never been stared at like this before. It feels good, but so strange at the same time. Is this how beautiful women feel all the time, knowing that good looking men are falling at their feet all the time?
“You certainly have,” he growls. “You look amazing, August. I can barely believe you’re the daughter of my best friend.”
I blush. A reminder I didn’t need. We can’t seem to escape the fact that everything we’re doing tonight is taboo. An older man and a younger woman having dinner together behind the back of someone important to them. It’s not only risky, it’s like we’re stabbing my dad in the back. But one look at Ethan and I can’t bring myself to care much. He’s the man of my dreams. Why shouldn’t I indulge in something that I want for a change?
“He misses you back in California,” I tell him. “I think he’d love it if you came back.”