Chapter 172 Ethan
Ethan
Tilda spoke with Stephen for almost two hours.
I heard all about how he and Jack met.
Heard that damn dog coughing.
Heard Tilda’s laugh for the first time in weeks. And I let myself smile over the sound as my ass went numb from sitting on the concrete.
Tilda was silent on the drive back to the airport. And silent the whole flight. But something felt… lighter.
Feels lighter.
The engine slows to a stop, and I climb out of the plane first, then I help Tilda down.
We stand before each other, inches apart. But there’s still so much between us. An invisible barrier that keeps us from moving closer.
Tilda is still wearing the aviators, and I wish I could see her pretty eyes instead of my reflection.
I watch her press her lips together. Watch her prepare herself to speak.
“Why did we never go to your house?”
Her question isn’t what I expect. But I answer honestly. “Because I like yours better.”
“The view?”
I shake my head. “I liked being surrounded by you.”
She bites down on her lip.
And after a moment, she lifts one of her hands toward her face, like she’s going to take the sunglasses off.
But then she lowers it, leaving them on as she steps back.
And hope floods my chest.
“Ethan?”
“Yeah?” My voice comes out choked.
She takes another step back. “Tying ribbons to state park property is vandalism.”
Each word sinks into my heart, softening the stone into something… more.
Tilda watches me for another moment, then she turns and disappears.