Chapter 4: When paths collide
The warm glow of the evening sun bathed the city streets as Emily and Anna locked up the bookstore for the day. The gentle buzz of cars passing by filled the air, and Emily tugged her cardigan tighter around her shoulders.
"So, what's the plan tonight?" Anna asked, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. "Netflix and snacks? Or should we hit that café with the overpriced pastries and cute barista?"
Emily laughed. "Neither. I'm heading home to finish that draft I've been working on."
Anna groaned. "Come on, Em! You're twenty-four! You should be out living life, not cooped up writing some story no one's going to read!"
Emily rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
Before Anna could reply, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb. The tinted window rolled down to reveal none other than Ethan Cross, his expression as calm and composed as ever.
Anna nudged Emily with her elbow. "Your boyfriend's here."
"Not my boyfriend," Emily hissed under her breath.
Ethan stepped out of the car, looking every bit the part of a magazine cover model in his tailored suit. "Emily," he greeted smoothly. "We meet again."
Emily raised an eyebrow. "You have a habit of showing up unannounced, don't you?"
Ethan's lips twitched in amusement. "I call it fate."
Anna, ever the opportunist, stepped forward with a sly grin. "And who might you be, Mr. Fate?"
Ethan extended a hand. "Ethan Cross. And you are?"
"Anna. Emily's very protective best friend."
"Good to know," Ethan said with a nod.
Emily groaned. "Anna, stop interrogating him."
Anna leaned closer to Emily, whispering loudly enough for Ethan to hear, "He's gorgeous, rich, and clearly into you. If you don't marry him, I will."
Ethan chuckled, clearly amused by Anna's antics. "I like your friend's enthusiasm."
Emily sighed. "What do you want, Ethan?"
"I wanted to return this," he said, holding up the copy of Pride and Prejudice. "I finished it."
Anna's jaw dropped. "You finished it? In one day?"
"I'm a fast reader," Ethan replied with a shrug.
Emily crossed her arms. "And?"
"And," Ethan continued, "I thought we could discuss it over dinner."
Anna's eyes lit up. "Oh, she's free! Totally free! Aren't you, Em?"
Emily shot her a death glare. "I don't recall asking for your input."
Ethan smirked. "So, is that a yes?"
Emily hesitated, her mind racing. On one hand, she didn't want to get involved with someone as complicated as Ethan. On the other hand, free dinner with a billionaire didn't sound half bad.
"Fine," she said finally. "But just dinner. And no funny business."
Ethan raised his hands in mock surrender. "Scout's honor."
Dinner turned out to be at an upscale restaurant with sparkling chandeliers and waiters who looked like they belonged on a runway. Emily fidgeted in her seat, feeling out of place in her simple dress, while Ethan seemed perfectly at ease.
"This place is...fancy," Emily said, glancing at the menu and nearly choking at the prices.
"Relax," Ethan said, his tone amused. "It's on me."
"That's not the point," Emily muttered. "I could buy groceries for a month with what they charge for soup here."
Ethan chuckled. "Consider it an experience."
As the evening went on, Emily found herself relaxing despite her initial discomfort. Ethan wasn't as stiff and formal as she'd expected. In fact, he had a surprisingly dry sense of humor.
"So, you grew up as an orphan?" Emily asked at one point, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Ethan nodded, his expression briefly clouding. "Yes. It wasn't easy, but it taught me resilience. And it made me value the things I have now."
Emily nodded thoughtfully. "And yet you're here in a bookstore, talking to someone like me. Why?"
Ethan's gaze softened. "Because you're not like everyone else. You're real. Genuine. You don't care about money or status, and that's refreshing."
Emily felt her cheeks heat up but quickly masked it with a sip of water. "Well, don't get used to it. I'm not exactly swooning over your charm."
Ethan smirked. "Yet."
Back at the bookstore, Anna was pacing, phone in hand, eagerly awaiting Emily's return.
"Come on, Em," she muttered. "Give me the details!"
When Emily finally walked in, Anna pounced. "How was it? What did you talk about? Did he propose?!"
Emily laughed, shaking her head. "Calm down! It was just dinner."
"Just dinner?" Anna repeated incredulously. "With that man? Spill!"
Emily smiled despite herself. "It was...nice. He's not as arrogant as I thought."
Anna gasped. "You like him!"
"I do not!"
"You totally do!"
Emily groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Why did I even tell you?"
"Because you love me," Anna said smugly.
Emily couldn't help but laugh. Maybe her life wasn't as ordinary as she thought anymore.
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