Chapter 5 - A Sunday in the PearlAfter Daniel left, an uncomfortable silence settled over the bakery. Ethan wiped down the counter with deliberate, heavy motions.
"I didn't know he was going to do that," Ethan said quietly, refusing to look up. "I don't want your money, Victoria. I never asked who you were, and I didn't care about your net worth."
"I know," Victoria said gently, walking around the counter and placing her hand over his. "That is precisely why I am here."
To prove her intentions, Victoria invited Ethan and Sophie to spend Sunday afternoon at her home.
For the first time, her cold, massive penthouse felt like a real home. Sophie ran across the hardwood floors with her stuffed rabbit, while Ethan helped Victoria cook a simple dinner in her high-end kitchen.
Standing on the balcony overlooking the shimmering lights of the Portland skyline, Ethan looked out at the city. Rain drizzled softly against the glass.
"It's breathtaking," Ethan whispered.
May you like
"It used to be cold," Victoria admitted, stepping close to him. "Until you walked into Carver's with cheap daisies."
Ethan turned to face her. Under the dim ambient lights of the city, he reached up, his large, flour-calloused hand gently cupping her cheek. Victoria leaned into his touch, closing her eyes. When he leaned down and kissed her, it was slow, deep, and filled with a quiet reverence that made her heart race like a teenager's.
Related Stories
