Chapter 9
Ethan would have been lying if he said he wasn't excited when Leanne had told him that Eli wanted to have dinner with him.
He wanted nothing more than to spend time with the young boy.
And, if he was being honest, with his mother as well.
He had really started to enjoy getting to know Leanne. And the more time he spent with her, the more he started to fall for her.
He knew that he shouldn't be. Falling, that was.
He knew that she wasn't looking for a relationship. That her heart was still healing from everything that had happened to her six years ago.
And he got it. He really did. Losing half of your family like that wasn't easy.
And he would never push her into something that she wasn't ready for.
But dammit if he didn't really, really want to try.
He wanted to make her happy. He wanted to make her feel all the love she deserved.
And he wanted to provide Eli with the life that he deserved as well.
He may have barely known the boy, but the past few weeks of talking to him had drawn him in even more.
He just wanted to be a part of their lives.
Any way that he could.
"Ethan!" He heard Eli's voice before he saw him and he couldn't help the giant smile that broke out across his face when the little boy jumped up from his seat and waved at him excitedly. "Mommy look, Ethan's here!"
"I see that." Leanne let out a soft chuckle and he felt his heart start to race in his chest.
She was so perfect in every way and it was killing him.
"Hey pal." He stopped next to the table and knelt down in front of the young boy, his hand going out to ruffle his hair. He had noticed that his curls had started to grow out some and he was surprised how much it made him look like his mother. No wonder he was so incredibly drawn to him. "Sorry I'm a little late, it was crazy trying to get out of there tonight."
"That's okay." Eli offered him a smile before climbing back into his chair.
"Busy?" Leanne's voice was soft as she offered him a knowing look.
She had to know that Angels was a complete shit show on a Friday night.
Surely she understood without him having to flat out tell her.
"It was a madhouse." He let out a soft sigh, his hands going to his pockets.
There was an empty seat next to her and an empty seat next to Eli and he wasn't sure which one he was supposed to take.
It would surely be awkward if he sat next to her, right?
But then again, wouldn't it be just as awkward if he was sitting across from her and she caught him staring at her.
Which he was inevitably going to do.
"I hope we're not keeping you." His eyes snapped to her face as he shook his head back and forth.
"No! Nonsense." In all honesty, he was thankful to be free of the confines of that place for a little while. It was nice to get some fresh air. It was even nicer to see his two favorite people. "I gotta eat right?"
"Sit next to me Ethan!" Eli patted the chair next to him excitedly and Ethan figured that that answered his question. "Sit next to me!"
"Eli, calm down." Leanne shot the boy a knowing look and he instantly plopped back down on his bottom, the excited look fading from his face some.
"It's okay. It's nice to be wanted." He offered Eli a smile before moving to sit down next to the boy. "I don't mind."
Eli smiled up at him brightly as he winked at Leanne.
She rolled her eyes, but he didn't miss the smile that came over her face as she dropped her head downward.
She was starting to fall for him too. He could tell.
"What are you gonna eat Ethan?" Eli's question broke him from his thoughts and he chuckled at the boy's excitement.
"I'm not sure." He turned toward him and patted the children's menu in front of the boy. "What about you?"
"Macaroni and Cheese!" Ethan couldn't help but chuckle at the boy's enthusiasm over something so simple.
"That's his go to meal." Leanne whispered from across the table.
He lifted his head slightly and caught her eyes.
There was a softness to them that he only saw when she talked about Eli and it made him smile.
"Macaroni and Cheese is always a good choice." He nudged Eli's shoulder gently and the boy dissolved into a fit of giggles.
He couldn't help but laugh along with him, especially when he noticed how it seemed to make Leanne's eyes light up a little bit more.
—
They had enjoyed their meal together and he had spent the majority of the time talking to Eli about various things.
He had shared with him all about his class' new pet hamster. And he had asked him repeatedly to come visit him at school one day.
Leanne had let out a sigh at the boy's words, but Ethan had assured him that once he had his schedule for the next few weeks he would work out a time to come join him for lunch.
The look of happiness on his face had made Ethan's heart flutter.
They had just gotten ready to order dessert when Ethan's pager went off and he let out a huff as he pulled it from his waistband and read the message on the screen.
He was needed in Center Stage.
And he was needed there now.
"Do you have to go back to work now Ethan?" Eli's question about broke his heart in two and he hated himself so much in that moment for ruining the kid's night.
"Yeah. Sadly I do buddy." He turned toward him fully and offered him a soft smile. But Eli didn't return it. Instead, he hung his head, his eyes filling with tears. And that had been enough to do Ethan in.
Leanne got ready to speak but Ethan offered her a soft glance and a silent plea that she let him handle this.
She nodded her head at his look and he turned his attention back toward the pouting child beside him.
"I tell you what kid," He reached out and turned Eli toward him, his eyes locking with the boy's as he spoke, "we'll go get ice-cream together sometime soon okay?"
Eli simply nodded his head before letting it drop back down, breaking his gaze.
Ethan let out a sigh before scooping the boy into his lap.
"Hey." He reached out and lifted the boy's chin up, his thumb brushing away the tears on his little cheek. "How about tomorrow? If your mom doesn't mind?"
"Mommy?" Eli turned toward the woman in question with big, curious eyes, and Ethan watched as she nodded her head softly.
"That's fine sweetie." She said softly, a small smile coming across her face.
He was honestly shocked that she said 'yes' to his invitation.
He expected her to continue to pull away from him.
"Alright Eli?" The boy turned his attention back toward him and sniffled before nodding his head softly. "Tomorrow night okay?"
"Okay." He whispered.
"I gotta go." He pulled him into a tight hug before pulling back and ruffling his hair. "I'll see you soon."
Eli nodded his head once more before climbing back into his chair, his eyes still sad and his head still down.
"Bye Ethan." He waved softly from his spot and Ethan couldn't help but smile sadly back at him.
He hated that he was breaking the little guy's heart.
He really didn't think it would be like this.
"Bye buddy." He offered him a quick wave before he headed toward the register to pay for their meal.
He noticed Leanne shoot him a look but he just offered her a soft smile before waving at her as well.
And then he was heading through the doors with a heavy heart.
He may have loved his job. But sometimes, he really wished it wasn't so demanding.
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