"Wait, what are you even doing here?"
Ethan's voice echoed through the air, a mix of confusion and curiosity as he pulled Sydney into a tight hug. Sydney, already enjoying the warmth of the embrace, felt her body relax against his, savoring the moment. But as soon as his words reached her ears, she pulled back slightly, glancing up into his intense blue eyes, which were searching her face for an answer.
"What a way to kill the mood," she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible.
Ethan, hearing the slight shift in her tone, tried to salvage the moment. "Oh no, it's not like that," he said, his voice softening, an attempt to steer the energy back to what it had been.
But Sydney didn't miss the slight shift in his gaze. She had felt it. His eyes weren't just curious anymore—they were mischievous, questioning her every move. Sighing, she shifted her weight slightly and crossed her arms over her chest, a defensive gesture she knew too well. Ethan wasn't buying her story.
"I was just wondering... your shoot was in New York, right? Well, this is Kansas. Just wondering what you're doing here," he asked, his gaze never leaving hers.
Sydney, caught off guard, shifted nervously, her eyes darting around the room. The hesitation was clear on her face, and for a moment, she felt like she was trying to piece together an excuse that sounded convincing.
"Well, I told you already," she began, her voice cracking slightly as she fumbled for the right words. "I'm on a short break, and I was in the area..."
Ethan's eyebrow arched skeptically. "In the area? In Kansas?" His tone was incredulous, his lips quirking up into a half-smile. "Millions of miles away from where you were shooting... or where you live? Hmm. Doesn't quite add up."
Sydney's heart skipped a beat. She could feel her palms growing clammy as she tried to salvage the situation. "Yes, I was in the area," she said, her voice cracking slightly again, "My next movie shoot is here, so I came to check it out... that's all," she stammered, hoping she sounded more convincing than she felt.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, not buying it. "I know I'm not well-versed in the movie industry, but I've never heard of an actor doing something like that."
Sydney shifted uncomfortably, her mind racing for the right words. "Well, yes, you aren't well-versed," she said, trying to sound casual, but her voice faltered just a bit. "It's actually common in the industry. The place we're shooting is close by, so I thought I'd pay you a visit. That's all. I was heading back when I saw you here."
Ethan just hummed in response, clearly still skeptical, but his smile softened. "Okay, then," he said with a teasing tone, his smile widening. "I'll bite."
Sydney let out a relieved breath. She had almost convinced him. Almost.
Ethan leaned in a little, his eyes twinkling with playful curiosity. "And what's the name of the movie?" he asked.
Sydney, feeling a sense of anticipation bubble inside her, grinned. "Tale of Two Girls," she said, almost proud of the project.
Ethan's eyes widened slightly. "Sounds interesting. Who are your co-stars?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine interest.
Sydney couldn't help but smile at the question. "Me and Olivia Bennett," she said, referencing one of the most popular young actresses in Hollywood.
Ethan grinned, clearly impressed. "Wow, you really have everything all figured out, don't you?" His voice held a hint of admiration, and it made Sydney's heart flutter a little.
She shrugged, a playful grin tugging at the corners of her lips. "Well, it's the truth, so...?"
Ethan leaned back slightly, his smirk deepening. "You really are something else."
But then, his gaze shifted, and his smile faded just a little. His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at something outside the truck. Sydney, still trying to keep the mood light, followed his gaze. The moment she saw what he was looking at, her heart skipped a beat.
A line of bags sat just outside, neatly arranged, waiting to be taken away.
Sydney's eyes widened in realization. "Wait, what? The bags?" she stammered, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
Ethan, clearly amused, nodded toward the bags with his head. "What's all this then?"
Sydney's face flushed, and she couldn't help but think to herself, Cynthia... I told you I didn't need that many bags.
But before she could come up with an excuse, Ethan chuckled softly, his voice teasing. "Don't tell me you came all the way here just to... shop?"
Sydney let out an exasperated sigh, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. She laughed nervously, trying to downplay the situation. "Ehm... about that..." Her voice cracked again, and she could feel her guard slipping.
Ethan couldn't contain his laughter any longer. He moved a little closer, enjoying her flustered reaction. "Why don't you just admit it? You came here for me, didn't you?" he teased, his eyes glinting with mischief.
Sydney's eyes widened, and she instinctively stepped back a little, her heart racing. "What are you doing?" she asked, trying to regain some composure.
Ethan, however, didn't step back. Instead, he leaned in, his face just inches from hers. His voice dropped low, almost a whisper. "You know... you could just say it. You came here for me."
Sydney's breath caught in her throat, and she felt her heart pound as she tried to find the right words. "What... what? No! I came for..." she stammered, her voice failing her as she felt her face grow even hotter. Why am I so nervous?
Ethan stood in front of her, their breaths now mingling in the air between them. His eyes locked onto hers, the intensity in his gaze making her weak. His lips curved into a small, knowing smile as he spoke, his voice lower than before. "I like you, Sydney."
Sydney froze. Her breath caught in her throat. "What?" she whispered, her mind racing to process what he had just said.
Ethan's smile deepened, and he moved a fraction closer. "I like you, Sydney. Ever since that night," he murmured, his voice barely audible now, like a secret meant only for her ears. His breath brushed against her skin, sending a wave of heat rushing through her. "I haven't been able to get you out of my mind."
Sydney's pulse quickened as he moved even closer, his body almost pressed against hers. She felt a strange warmth spread through her, her mind clouded with confusion and excitement all at once. "Wait..." she managed to whisper, her voice low and hoarse as her heart threatened to race out of her chest.
Ethan smirked, his lips almost touching hers as he whispered, "So you don't need to hide it. I'm glad you came to visit me. At least it shows that my feelings are reciprocated."
Sydney's breath hitched. "Well, who said I like you back?" she said, though the words felt more like a reflex than something she truly meant. The words slipped out before she could stop them, but the truth was, she had never felt this way before. His presence, his closeness, was intoxicating.
Ethan's grin was smug, but there was a softness behind it that made her heart flutter. "Oh, I think you do."
Then, before she could protest any further, he closed the space between them. His lips brushed against hers in a soft, tentative kiss. Sydney's breath caught, her heart hammering in her chest as the world around her seemed to disappear. Ethan's kiss was gentle at first, a slow, searching press of his lips against hers. But as the seconds stretched on, the kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, more intense. Her hands instinctively reached for him, her fingers threading into his hair as she pulled him closer.
She felt a rush of warmth flood through her, her pulse racing as the kiss took over every inch of her being. It was like the world had paused, leaving only the two of them in this electrifying moment.
Ethan's hands found their way to her waist, pulling her closer, if that was even possible. The air around them was thick with tension, their hearts beating in sync, as if the kiss was the most natural thing in the world.
Sydney's head swam, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps as she pulled away slightly, her forehead resting against his. "Ethan..." she whispered, her voice barely audible as she struggled to catch her breath.
Ethan smiled against her lips, his eyes dark with desire. "Yeah?" he murmured, his lips brushing against hers once more.
Sydney swallowed hard, her heart racing as she looked into his eyes, her own breathless with emotion. "I think... I think you were right."