Chapter 5 #3
She blinked, then scanned the room. “Um, did you see where Katie went?”
“No. You could text her.”
“Good idea.” She did exactly that, and while normally he’d tell her not to worry, there was something about Jason he didn’t quite trust. He had the feeling he’d met him before, but he couldn’t remember where. Probably a party in Sydney somewhere.
She turned to Chris. “I hope you enjoyed the evening.”
“It was certainly enlightening.”
“Are you here tomorrow?”
He shook his head. “I’m staying somewhere else. The hotel was fully booked by the time I tried.”
She smiled. “I hope we’ll meet again.”
“That would be great.”
“And I’ll be praying for that situation you mentioned before.”
“I’d appreciate it. Thank you.”
Ellie hugged Chris, which took Ethan by surprise, as she didn’t seem the sort to give hugs to near strangers. But it fuelled hope that maybe she’d give him one before the night was over.
“Good to meet you,” Ethan said, as Chris collected his coat.
“You too.” They gripped hands, then Chris turned to Ellie. “Please tell your sister I enjoyed meeting her.”
“I will.” Ellie’s pensive expression said she was sorry Katie wasn’t here to say goodbye herself.
By now the waitstaff were clearing glasses, and most of the other guests had left.
They’d be hard-pressed to find a quiet nook where they could talk, but talk they must. He might’ve arrived several hours ago feeling exhausted and like he only wanted to rest, but now he felt more alive than he had in weeks.
He had to get to know this woman. Had to find a way to somehow make this work.
“Are you ready?” Ethan asked Ellie, holding out his hand.
“Yes.” She drew near, and he could again smell her scent of honey, which seemed fitting for the style of dress she wore.
They found a little love seat, a curved couch from the 1920s that had two sections, one facing the other, all in red velvet. She sat, easing the heavy folds of her dress around her knee, as Ethan took the other seat.
“So, Ellie, tell me more about yourself. What are your hopes and dreams?”
“Now, that’s a big question for someone you don’t really know too well.”
“How else can I get to know you other than ask the big questions? You don’t really want to start off with the silly ones like your favourite food or colour?”
Her head tilted as she studied him. He liked the fact she took her time to answer, that she was thoughtful. Unlike other women he knew who were always so quick to interrupt and jump in. “I suppose they’re not deal-breakers, are they?”
His eyebrows lifted, and he leaned a little closer. “We’re talking deal-breakers, huh?”
Her cheeks flushed to a creamy peach. He liked how she wasn’t so plastered with makeup that he couldn’t tell her thoughts through her skin.
“Well, if we’re really talking about genuine connections, then it’s probably important to consider whether the person you’re getting to know has qualities that simply aren’t compatible with your own. ”
“So what are some deal-breakers for you?”
“Well, obviously it’s important to me that he’s a Christian.”
He placed his hand up. “One hundred percent.”
“And that he’s interested in art. I don’t think I could be with a guy who is obsessed with sport or video games or something like that and can’t appreciate something that’s so important to me.”
“Let me guess: Art feels like it’s a part of you?”
“How did you know?”
“Because I can feel the same.”
Her smile held shyness but also a sense of camaraderie. “So how about you. What are your deal-breakers?”
He half shrugged. “I don’t want anyone who is selfish or unkind.
I think it’s important to be contributing to society, wanting to make it a better place, rather than talking all the time.
I think it’s important to find someone who understands that so we can encourage each other to love and good works. ”
“I like that. Do you know where that verse is?”
“In Hebrews, I think. Maybe chapter ten.”
She got her phone out, then looked it up on her Bible app. “Verse twenty-four.”
Even that impressed him. She obviously knew her way around a Bible, which suggested it was important to her. “I think it’s proved in what people do in church. I love helping with youth group, and I’d hope that whoever I’m with in the future can support that.”
“People who think church is just for attending and not contributing in some way kind of miss the point,” she mused.
“Our pastor puts it like this: that some people are consumer Christians and treat church like a supermarket where they get their supplies for the week and then hide away from the world, rather than thinking it’s like a gym where they exercise and get stronger for their interactions with the regular world. ”
“That sounds about right to me.” He smiled. “I like when people can explain things easily like that. I want to be a youth pastor one day.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I like the law, but I can really see how I can make a difference with young people.”
“It must be good to see you can make a tangible difference.”
“You do too. You serve in church.”
“True.”
“And so do I.”
“I know.” She smiled.
His heart clenched a little, and he smiled at her. “I don’t know if I told you this before, but you were the most beautiful woman here tonight.”
Her cheeks pinked, and her eyebrows lifted. “Did you have a little extra something in your drink tonight?”
She didn’t believe him? “No. I mean it. Come on. Surely you must know that from all the compliments you received.”
“They like the dress. Not me.”
“Hmm, I think you underestimate yourself. Anyway, I like you. With or without the dress.”
She blinked, and he heard how that sounded. “I mean, obviously with the dress. On, I mean.” Man, this wasn’t getting better. How could his dad talk professionally for a living, and Ethan couldn’t even tell a woman he thought she was pretty?
But he was getting a smile from her, a dimpled smile that drew fresh appreciation for the way God had made her. He even earned a soft chuckle, which was something. Hey, he’d take her laughter over her shock, anytime.
“It’s not meant to be funny,” he mock-complained.
“Sorry. I’m just not used to compliments like that. Well, like what you said before.”
“That I think you’re pretty?”
She nodded.
“Well, obviously you’re hanging out with the wrong kinds of people.”
She leaned back in her seat, gaze fixed on him. “Apparently.”
“And obviously we’re going to have to do something about that.”
“What do you propose to do?” She winced. “Not that I meant propose like in ‘propose’ propose.” Her nose wrinkled. “Ugh, I just made it worse, right?”
Now it was his turn to laugh. “On the contrary. You’ve just confirmed that we’re actually right.”
“You think so?”
“One hundred percent.”
Her eyes sank into him, their gazes building on this connection that felt like it was growing stronger every second.
Like part of his heart had been waiting all his life to find this woman.
And while he might not believe in people having “the one” or being their “other half,” he did feel a soul click with this woman, like they ticked every one of each other’s boxes. And he couldn’t let that slip away.
“I really like you,” he murmured.
“I really like you,” she murmured back.
He nodded. Then leaned closer, wondering if it was too soon for this next step. But if he didn’t do it now, he’d always wonder …
“Ellie,” he whispered.
“Ethan,” she murmured back.
He drew closer still, saw her eyes drift closed, angled his face—
“Get a room!”
The shriek killed the mood, snapping his eyelids open to find Ellie had drawn back too, her hands covering her cheeks as a woman—who had obviously imbibed a little too much—stumbled away on the arm of her companion.
“Sorry.”
As Ellie blinked at him, he realised how his words might be misconstrued. Was he sorry for almost kissing her or for not finishing the job? Both might be considered problematic.
She shook her head. “You don’t need to apologise. But maybe we should go. I don’t know where Katie is, and she is someone who probably needs to be a little more careful about what’s she doing.”
Was she saying this because she was concerned about Katie or concerned about him? “Uh, sure.”
She stood, then glanced at him. Well, glanced at his shirt, as her gaze didn’t quite meet his eyes. “You don’t need to come.”
“I want to. Call me overcautious, but I didn’t get the impression that Jason was the kind of man to make wise choices where young ladies are concerned.”
As soon as the word escaped, her eyes widened, and regret kneaded his heart again. It seemed he still had foot-in-mouth syndrome. “Not that I think Katie can’t take care of herself.”
“I know what you mean. And I’m inclined to believe you. Let’s go.”
A few minutes later, they were walking the long corridor known as Cat’s Alley, which was lined with couches similar to those used in earlier years by women waiting for their husbands to finish in the casino.
He felt awkward, like Ellie was regretting their near kiss, as she still didn’t meet his eyes.
“Hey.” His heart beat faster as she finally glanced at him. “She’ll be okay.”
“You don’t know that. And I know my sister. She’s always a little prone to doing things her own way.”
“Well, we’ll need to pray we find her soon. In fact”—he paused, grasped her hand—”do you mind if we do that now?”
She nodded, and it felt like a little win. Then he closed his eyes and prayed aloud.