Ch -89. Date

Ethan's POV:

Emily just smiles, her elbows folded on the table as she gazes at me with that familiar, disarming look. I search her eyes, trying to find the right words to bridge the gap that three years have mapped between the two of us.

But before I can speak, the waiter steps up to our table, his presence bursting my bubble.

“Good afternoon,” he begins, a polished tone in his voice.

“Today’s specials include a roasted lamb with rosemary, a mushroom risotto, and brisquette with a lemon butter sauce—”

I clear my throat, interrupting his spiel and wanting to get rid of him as soon as possible.

“I’ll have an espresso, and for ma'am, get a mint iced tea and salmon fillet with its usual accompaniments. Oh, and also bring a side of sautéed bell peppers…”

The waiter nods, jotting down our order, when a memory hits me unexpectedly: Ashley’s face, pale and panicked, the way she was gasping for breath… after stuffing those damn bell peppers into her face.

My heart thuds harder against my ch