A Picture's Worth
Copyright© 2026 by Evie Olivia Niven
Chapter 7: Dinner With Ethan
Preparation had been a long process tonight. Bea had gone through what felt like fifty different outfits. Finally, she had decided on a short dress made of soft, light blue denim and simple, calf-high brown boots with fringed tops. She’d done her make-up, then stood in front of the mirror for half an hour, fussing with her hair. It was stupid, really, especially since she had decided in the end to leave it down. Bea wasn’t sure if it was that she was nervous or excited; perhaps it was both.
She’d agreed to meet Ethan at his place at four-thirty. The clock in her car said four-fifteen when she reached his apartment, though. I hope he doesn’t mind that I’m early, Bea thought, as she headed up the stairs to his apartment. She hesitated a long moment before knocking, then finally gave in, realizing just how silly she was being. The door didn’t open, but she heard Ethan call for her to come in.
Wow, he really is a neat freak, she thought, looking around the apartment. The couches, which were so neatly aligned, were dark green, with cream-colored throw pillows that looked like they were rearranged each time he rose. The carpet beneath her feet was dark and had the look of being vacuumed very recently. Bea found herself wondering if she should take her shoes off. If I didn’t have proof to the contrary, she thought, I’d think he was gay.
“You’re early,” Ethan said quietly. He was standing in the doorway to his bedroom, smiling at her.
Bea shrugged. “Yeah, I guess so... is that a problem?”
“Nah,” Ethan assured her, shaking his head. “I’ve been ready for a while, anyway. You, uh... you look good.”
She smiled at him, amused by how shy he seemed. He was a typical Wolfe man in many ways; Ethan wore only a t-shirt and a pair of jeans that looked like he’d had them for a while. It was so at odds with the decorating of his apartment that Bea wondered if Bailey had had a hand in the furnishing. His hair had been pulled back, too, albeit loosely. “I like him this way,” she decided. “I wouldn’t want him to try to be something he’s not simply for my sake.”
“Why don’t we go?” Ethan suggested. “The place will be packed to the walls before very long.”
Bea grinned. “At least it would be nice and cozy,” she teased.
He quieted at that, and she thought he might be blushing. Ethan didn’t speak much as they left the apartment, or on the drive to the restaurant. Oddly enough, though, the silence between them didn’t feel awkward. Bea had never been the type of person to speak simply for the sake of doing so, and neither was he. They did quibble some over the radio station, but it was all in fun.
The restaurant was still pretty empty when they arrived. They got seats near the grill. When they were settled, they rose together to get some food. Ethan watched her speculatively as she loaded raw beef into her bowl, and followed it up with pieces of pineapple. She returned his look when he piled noodles, chicken, beef, tomatoes, and mushrooms.
“How can you eat all of that together?” Bea asked, wrinkling her nose.
Ethan shrugged. “It’s all going to the same place,” he said. “Besides, that’s the whole point of this place.”
“Guess I’m a simple girl,” Bea said, as she ladled spicy Hawaiian sauce into a little cup.
“The last thing you are is simple,” Ethan told her, smiling teasingly.
I do believe I’m actually blushing, Bea thought, turning her head so he wouldn’t see. When she touched her cheek, her skin was hot beneath her fingers. Was he flirting with me? she wondered, as she set her bowl and cup down on the counter surrounding the grill. Ugh, it’s so frustrating! I can never tell with him! Usually, it was obvious to Bea when a guy was flirting with her—like now, when one of the men behind the grill winked at her—but with Ethan, it was harder to tell.
“You here with someone, cutie?” the man behind the counter asked, as he took her bowl from her.
“Actually, yes, I am,” Ethan answered, startling both Bea and the man. He rested a hand on Bea’s shoulder. “Isn’t that right?”
“Dude, I wasn’t—“ the man began.
“Hitting on another man’s date, right?” Ethan interrupted, smiling sweetly. “That’s what you weren’t doing, right?”
The man didn’t speak again. Bea stared at Ethan while they waited for their food to be grilled. What was that about? she wondered. Well, he is most certainly a Wolfe man; there can be no doubt about that now. Although she wouldn’t have expected him to be possessive of her. She waited until they were both seated, with plates and drinks, before bringing it up.
“It’s just rude,” Ethan said, shrugging. “Any idiot could see that you were here with me.”
“He was only flirting,” Bea reminded him. “I didn’t think it was a big deal...”
“It was disrespectful,” Ethan said, frowning down at his plate.
Oh, right, Bea thought, Mr. Prude. She didn’t know whether to be frustrated or flattered. Of course, that hadn’t been a terribly prudish thing to say, but it had thrown the guy off balance. Now I don’t know what to say to him, she thought, picking anxiously at her food. I think I need a drink... Would he be bothered if she ordered one? Well, he was just going to have to deal with it.
“Sorry,” Ethan said quietly, startling her. “Maybe I got... a little carried away. I just hate that sort of thing.”
Bea smiled. “Boys will be boys, Ethan,” she said. “Personally, I’m more into guys who’ve grown beyond high school-level flirtations.”
Ethan grinned, and she saw the tension ease out of him. Good lord, Bea thought, I’d hate to have him as my brother. She could just imagine some of what Bailey had to go through during her high school years, and what Sydney was going through now. Still ... it would have been nice, growing up, to have someone that worried about her.
“I think it’s time for you to tell me a little bit more about yourself,” Bea declared. She grinned at Ethan’s look of surprise. “Don’t worry, I’ll let you start with small things...”
“No fair!”
Ethan whirled at the top of the steps and grinned down at Bea. She huffed as she finally reached the top and punched him in the arm. He put an arm around her shoulders, holding her against his side. Despite her insistence that she was fine, there was no doubt in his mind that she was a bit tipsy. He hadn’t known what to think when she’d decided to order a drink, but it hadn’t been anything strong, and she hadn’t had that much. Still, Ethan was a little uncomfortable with the way she pressed against him. I was trying for friendly here, he thought, frowning.
Admittedly, he wasn’t sure if he was uncomfortable because of her or because of himself. He let her go once they were inside his apartment, although Bea stuck close to his side. Maybe I shouldn’t have invited her up, Ethan thought, eyeing her as she settled next to him on the couch. I don’t want her to get the wrong idea. The problem was, what was the right idea? For once, he found himself wishing that he had Chase’s easy way with women.
“Why so quiet?” Bea asked, startling him out of his thoughts.
“Oh, I uh ... I don’t know,” Ethan said, smiling sheepishly. “I guess there’s just a lot on my mind.”
Bea smiled. “Sometimes you’re a little too responsible,” she told him. “Ethan, don’t you ever ... get tired?”
That question surprised him. He didn’t really know how to answer that. But it’s really nice, Ethan thought, staring down at her, that someone cares. Oh, he knew his brothers and sisters did, but sometimes he felt like they forgot how hard he worked. He sighed when Bea reached up and brushed his hair away from her face. Maybe I’m being stupid about this, he thought, leaning against her hand. She isn’t Andrea...
“Since you won our little race,” Bea said, her voice low and soft, “what would you like as a prize?”
“You said it wasn’t fair,” Ethan reminded her, leaning closer to her.
“Does that mean you forfeit?” Bea asked, her voice full of laughter.
She kissed him first, which startled the hell out of him. One thing was for certain: she knew how to throw him off balance. Ethan had been shy when he’d kissed her, but she was far from timid. He should have pushed her away, but his body betrayed him; he dragged her into his lap and closed his arms around her tightly. Bea fit so perfectly against him. It had been a long time since he’d held a woman this way, but Ethan’s body hadn’t forgotten.