Chapter 10
Three months later...
I'm sitting in Chloe's coffee shop, laptop open, working on the final mockups for Dr. Chen's medical practice rebrand when my phone buzzes.
Ethan: Dinner at my place tonight?
Lily: Your place is my place now, remember?
Ethan: Our place. I stand corrected.
Lily: What time?
Ethan: Six. And bring your appetite. I'm making something special.
I smile at the screen.
Our place.
Two months ago, after I'd spent more nights at Ethan's house than my own apartment, he'd asked me to move in. Not because it made financial sense, although it did. And not because it was convenient, although it was.
But because he wanted to wake up with me every morning and fall asleep with me every night.
How could I say no to that?
"You're doing the face again," Chloe says, refilling my coffee.
"What face?"
"The disgustingly happy in love face. It's making the other customers nauseous. I’m going to have to charge you a clean-up fee if anyone pukes."
I laugh. "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry. Be grateful you found someone who makes you look like that." She leans against the counter. "How are things with you two?"
"Good. Really good." I close my laptop. "We have our moments. Learning to live together hasn't been completely smooth. He's meticulous about cleanliness in a way that borders on obsessive, and I leave coffee mugs and my dirty socks everywhere."
"Sounds about right."
"But we talk through it and compromise. We're figuring it out together.
" Even if sometimes I end up bent over the couch, staring at a pair of dirty socks while he spanks my ass. I’ve learned a few things these last few months…
like how turned on Ethan gets after he spanks me and how generous of a lover he is.
"That's the important part." Chloe's expression turns thoughtful. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"The dynamic. How's that working out in real life? Not just the fantasy version, but the actual day-to-day?"
I consider the question carefully. "It's different than I expected. Not in a bad way, just... more nuanced. Some days I need him to take charge completely. Other days I just need him to be my partner. And he's learned to read which is which. It’s a balanced situation."
"How does he read it?"
"He pays attention. If I'm stressed about a project, he'll make decisions about dinner, about our plans, take that mental load off me.
If I'm feeling confident and capable, he steps back, lets me lead.
" I smile. "If I’m super playful, he knows my little is coming out and he’ll make macaroni and cheese while I color pictures for our fridge.
It's not about him controlling me. It's about him creating space for me to be whoever I need to be that day. "
"That's beautiful," Chloe says softly.
"It really is."
My phone buzzes again.
Madison: NGBC meeting tonight. Seven pm. My place.
Lily: Can't. Ethan's making dinner.
Holly: Bring him with you.
Lily: To book club?
Amber: Why not? Ty comes sometimes.
Madison: Justin too. We're evolving. Becoming co-ed.
Emily: The more the merrier.
Maya: Plus we want to interrogate him properly.
I show Chloe the messages.
"You should bring him," she says. "Let the girls see you two together. It'll be good for them to see what a healthy dynamic actually looks like."
"You think?"
"I know." She grins. "Plus it'll be hilarious watching Madison grill him."
I text Ethan.
Lily: Change of plans. Book club tonight at seven. They want you to come.
Ethan: Do they now?
Lily: Consider it your initiation into the group.
Ethan: Should I be nervous?
Lily: Terrified.
Ethan: Perfect. I'll bring wine.
At 6:55, Ethan and I pull up to Madison's apartment building. He's carrying two bottles of expensive wine and wearing dark jeans with a gray sweater that makes his eyes look impossibly blue.
"Ready?" I ask.
"As I'll ever be." He takes my hand. "Lead the way, sweetheart."
Madison answers the door with Ty at her side. He's tall, built like he spends his free time in the gym even though we know he doesn’t have time for the gym with his job, with kind eyes and an easy smile.
"You must be Ethan," he says, extending his hand. "I've heard a lot about you."
"All good, I hope."
"Mostly," Ty says with a grin.
We enter to find the apartment already full. Holly and Justin are curled up on the loveseat. Amber and Emily have claimed their seats. Maya and Chloe are setting out snacks.
All eyes turn to us when we walk in.
"Everyone," I say, squeezing Ethan's hand. "This is Ethan. Ethan, this is everyone."
He handles the introductions with the same calm confidence he brings to everything else. Shaking hands, making small talk, charming each of them effortlessly.
"Wine?" he offers, holding up the bottles.
"God yes," Holly says. "Pour generously."
We settle in, me tucked against Ethan's side on the couch, and I can feel the girls watching us with interest.
"So," Madison says, taking a sip of wine. "Ethan. Tell us about yourself."
"What would you like to know?"
"Everything. But we'll start with the basics. How are you treating our girl?"
Ethan's arm tightens around me. "Like she's the most important person in my world."
"Good answer," Amber says approvingly.
"How do you handle the age gap?" Emily asks gently. "That's got to come with challenges."
"It does," Ethan admits. "We're at different life stages. Different levels of financial stability.” He winks at me before saying the next part.
“And much different reference points for pop culture.
" He looks down at me with a soft smile.
"But those differences make us stronger.
Lily brings spontaneity and creativity into my life and I bring stability and experience into hers. We balance each other."
"What about the dynamic?" Holly asks boldly. "How's that working out?"
"Holly," I hiss.
"What? We're all thinking it."
Ethan chuckles. "It's fine, sweetheart." He turns to Holly. "The dynamic works because we both want it. We communicate constantly about what we need. We adjust as we go. And we never lose sight of the fact that we're equals, even when I'm taking the lead."
"Equals how?" Justin asks, clearly interested.
"Lily chooses to follow my lead. That choice is where her power lies. I don't control her, she grants me the privilege of guiding her. There's a huge difference."
Ty nods approvingly. "That's exactly right. A lot of people get that wrong."
The conversation flows from there, evolving into a broader discussion about relationships and dynamics and what makes them work. Ethan fits seamlessly into the group, answering questions honestly, sharing his own experiences, listening when others speak.
I watch him with the girls, like the way he makes eye contact with whoever's talking, the way he considers his words carefully, and the way he defers to me when they ask about my perspective.
This man. This incredible, thoughtful, infuriating, perfect man.
I'm so in love with him it physically hurts.
"Earth to Lily," Madison says, waving a hand in front of my face. "You okay over there?"
"Sorry. What?"
"I asked if you're happy."
I look at Ethan, who's deep in conversation with Ty and Justin about something work-related. Then I look at the girls. They are my chosen family, my support system, my people.
"Yeah," I say softly. "I'm really, really happy."
Madison's smile is knowing. "Good. You deserve it."
The meeting winds down around nine. We say our goodbyes, collecting hugs and promises to do this again soon.
As we're leaving, Madison pulls me aside.
"I like him," she says. "A lot. He's good for you."
"You think so?"
"I know so. I've seen you go from this uncertain, people-pleasing version of yourself to someone confident and secure. That's all him."
"It's not all him. I did the work too."
"You're right. But he created the space for you to do that work. That's the sign of a good partner." She squeezes my hand. "Hold onto him, Lily. Men like that don't come around often."
"I will. I promise."
On the drive home, Ethan reaches over and takes my hand.
"That went well," he says.
"They loved you."
"They love you. I was just adjacent to that love."
I laugh. "You charmed them. Admit it."
"Maybe a little." He brings my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. "Your friends are wonderful."
"They are."
"And protective. Madison gave me the shovel talk in the kitchen."
"She did not."
"She absolutely did. Told me if I hurt you, she has six friends who will help her hide my body."
I groan. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. I respect it. You have people who love you fiercely. That's a beautiful thing."
We pull into the driveway, and Ethan cuts the engine. But instead of getting out, he turns to me.
"What?" I ask.
"I have something for you."
"Ethan, you don't need to keep buying me things."
"I know, I know." He pulls a small box from his pocket.
My heart starts racing. "What is it?"
"Open it and see."
Inside is a delicate silver bracelet with a small charm dangling from it. I lift it closer to the dome light and see that the charm is engraved.
L + E
"It's beautiful," I whisper.
"It's a reminder," he says. "That you're mine, and I'm yours. That we chose this. That we choose each other every single day."
Tears blur my vision. "Help me put it on?"
He fastens it around my wrist, and I admire the way it catches the light.
"Thank you," I say. "I love it. I love you."
"I love you too, sweetheart." He cups my face, kissing me softly. "More than I ever thought possible."
One week later...
I'm deep in design work when my phone rings. Unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Lily Preston?"
"Speaking."
"This is Rebecca Walsh from Hartley Publishing. Lydia Hartley gave me your information."
My heart skips. "She did?"
"She was very impressed with the work you did tracking down that first edition for a fan. She mentioned you do graphic design?"
"I do. Book covers specifically."
"Perfect. We're looking for a designer for an upcoming romance series. Six books, all needing cohesive branding. Would you be interested in submitting a proposal?"
I nearly drop the phone. "Yes. Absolutely yes."
"Wonderful. I'll email you the details. We'll need to see your portfolio and some initial concepts. Can you have something to us by next Friday?"
"I can have it to you by Wednesday."
Rebecca laughs. "I like your enthusiasm. We'll be in touch."
She hangs up, and I sit there in stunned silence.
This is it. This is the break I've been working toward.
I call Ethan immediately.
"Hey, sweetheart. Everything okay?"
"I just got offered a design project! Six book covers for Hartley Publishing."
His whoop of joy makes me laugh.
"Lily, that's incredible! I'm so proud of you!"
"It's because of you. Because you connected me with Dr. Chen, which led to other referrals, which led to building my portfolio enough that Lydia Hartley actually remembered me."
"No. This is because of your talent and your hard work. I just opened a door. You walked through it."
Tears stream down my face. "Thank you. For believing in me even when I didn't believe in myself."
"Always, sweetheart. Always."