Samantha
The moment Ethan placed the lasagna on the table, the rich, savory aroma hit me like a tidal wave. I could already tell that this wasn't just any lasagna—it was something extraordinary. My stomach growled in anticipation as he served generous portions onto each of our plates, the golden, bubbly cheese stretching temptingly with every slice.
But the lasagna was just the beginning. Next came a beautiful salad, a vibrant mix of greens sprinkled with crumbled goat cheese, thin slices of crisp apple, candied walnuts, and a drizzle of what I could only assume was some kind of homemade vinaigrette. It looked like it belonged in a gourmet restaurant, not a family kitchen.
Ethan wasn't done yet. He placed a dish of corn on the table, but it wasn't just plain corn. No, this was something special—grilled to perfection, topped with a sprinkle of spices, a hint of lime, and a dusting of cheese. The garlic bread was the final touch, each piece golden and crispy, with just the right amount of buttery garlic spread that made my mouth water.
I stared at the spread in disbelief. "Ethan, this is… incredible," I finally managed to say, my voice a bit shaky from the sheer awe of it all.
He shrugged modestly, but I could see a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Just thought I'd make something nice for everyone."
"Nice?" I echoed, almost in a daze. "This is beyond nice. This is… perfection."
Without thinking, I grabbed my phone and snapped a few pictures of the meal. The presentation was so beautiful, I couldn't resist sharing it with my friends. As soon as the photos were sent, my phone practically exploded with responses.
Olivia: OMG, where are you?!
Grace: Did you hire a private chef?
Natalie: That food looks amazing. Who made it?!
I grinned, like an idiot mind you, and quickly typed back,
Samantha: Believe it or not, Ethan. He made all of this.
The replies came in almost immediately, filled with shock, disbelief, and a hint of envy.
Olivia: No way! You're joking, right?
Grace: Wait, the guy who saved you last night? He's a chef too?
Natalie: Yumm.
I chuckled at their reactions, realizing I probably sounded just as stunned as they were. But there was no time to dwell on it—Lily and Maya were already digging into their food with enthusiasm, and I didn't want to miss out.
I took my first bite of the lasagna, and my taste buds practically exploded. The layers were perfect—tender pasta, rich, flavorful meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and just the right amount of mozzarella on top, all baked to golden, bubbly perfection. It was the kind of lasagna that made you want to close your eyes and savor every bite, which is exactly what I did.
"Ethan," I said, my voice muffled by the food, "this is… unreal. I can't believe how good this is."
Across the table, Victoria was nodding in agreement, her expression one of pure bliss. "It's been a long time since I've had a meal this satisfying," she admitted. "You're really something, Ethan."
He blushed slightly, clearly not used to this much praise. "I'm glad you like it. My mother would be very happy to hear the praise."
As if the lasagna weren't enough, I reached for the salad next. The combination of the tangy goat cheese, the sweetness of the apple slices, and the crunch of the walnuts was divine. It was refreshing and light, the perfect complement to the richness of the lasagna.
Next, I tried the corn dish. The smoky, grilled flavor with a hint of lime was a revelation. I didn't think I could be more impressed, but Ethan had proven me wrong yet again. Every bite was a new experience, a perfect balance of flavors that danced on my tongue.
My phone buzzed again, pulling me out of my food-induced trance. Another message from:
Natalie: Are you sure you don't want to bring him back with you?
I grinned, shaking my head at their antics. I knew they were half-joking, but there was a part of me that couldn't help but agree. Ethan was full of surprises, and this meal was just the latest in a series of the unexpected.
As the meal went on, the conversation flowed easily. We laughed, shared stories, and enjoyed every moment. Maya and Lily were hilarious. They had me laughing so hard that I had water coming out my nose. Ethan had a gift for storytelling. He told us a really funny story about his unit during his basic training that had us all on the edge of our seats. This family had so much joy being together, and I felt really fortunate to be included.
I watched Ethan. My eyes kept coming back to him. He was laughing and smiling at his girls. Then me. Then Aunt Victoria. I don't even know what he was saying. I was just watching him. The way he moved. His eyes. His cheeks. I settled on his lips.
I was watching his lips. They were nice lips. Full and well cared for. Guys with craggy lips are the worst. His looked soft. Supple. Inviting.
I took another bite of the heavenly lasagna, and a thought crossed my mind—completely uninvited and utterly inappropriate.
I should kiss him.
Kiss Ethan with a big, fat, thank-you-for-this-amazing-meal kiss. Right on the lips with maybe just a bit of tongue. Not too crazy. Just enough to get him to pull me in. Get his hands on my hips and butt. Maybe a little squeeze.
I nearly choked on my food. What the hell was I thinking? I barely knew the guy, and here I was, fantasizing about planting one on him just because he could cook like a dream. I scolded myself internally, feeling my cheeks heat up. It was the food; it's not like that guy was saving my life or anything.
I stopped again. Damn. He had already done that.
Stop. This is nuts. You are not going to kiss Ethan. He is not even YOUR type. He was the exact opposite.
Still, I couldn't deny the pull I felt toward Ethan. He had saved us from a near disaster, gotten us to safety, and now he was feeding us like royalty. It was more than anyone could have expected, and I wanted to do something to show my appreciation. Something meaningful—something that would convey just how grateful I was.
But kissing him? I wasn't that bold, and certainly not reckless enough to cross that line. No, I needed to find another way to thank him—something that didn't involve making a complete fool of myself.
I stole a glance at Ethan, who was chatting easily with Victoria about some of the finer points of lasagna-making. He was so relaxed, so at ease. It was then that I realized why Ethan seemed different, special.
He wasn't trying to impress Victoria or me. He saved us because he was kind. He cooked for us because he enjoyed feeding people. He spoke with affection because he was simply affectionate.
Damn this man. The realization intensified my desire to do something for him even more.
But what? A gift? A kind word? A BJ? Something more? I bit my lip, trying figure out what would make him feel as special as he'd made us feel with his brave actions, kind words, and this incredible meal. The idea of kissing him lingered in the back of my mind, tempting me in ways I wasn't prepared to handle.
No, I needed to push that thought away—far away. This wasn't the time or place for something so impulsive. I would find another way to show my gratitude, something that didn't involve risking my dignity or our newfound friendship.
But as I watched Ethan laugh at something Maya said, the idea of kissing him didn't seem quite as crazy as it had just a moment ago. Honestly, the guy had saved my life. In that light, kissing was the bare minimum. Now that I think about it, maybe I should just take him to bed. Use all his up and down. And side to side. And over under? That could be fun.
Holy shit, what is wrong with me?
I cannot take this single father to bed after knowing him for one day. I am not that type of girl.
I took another bite of the lasagna, not really tasting it, and wondered—what would it be like to act on that impulse? Would he be warm? Would he be affectionate? Would he be rough and take me, wrapping me in his arms and—
I stopped. I could very much feel the heat in my face.
"Are you okay, Samantha?" Victoria's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.
I blinked, realizing I had been staring at my plate for far too long. "Oh, yes, just… lost in thought," I replied with a smile, hoping no one could deduce the ridiculous path my mind had wandered down.
"Well, whatever you're thinking about, it must be good," Victoria teased lightly, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
I laughed as my face blazed red, trying to brush it off. "Just appreciating the meal, that's all."
"Mm-hmm," Victoria hummed, clearly not buying it but letting it slide.
Ethan glanced over at me, his expression curious but kind. "You sure everything is alright, Samantha?"
"Perfect," I said quickly, smiling at him. "The food is amazing, Ethan. Truly. I can't thank you enough."
He smiled back, and for a moment, I felt that pull again, that crazy urge to do something impulsive and out of character. But I pushed it down, determined to keep my cool.
"You're welcome," he replied, his voice warm and genuine. "I'm just glad you all enjoyed it."
We continued eating, the conversation flowing easily around the table. But in the back of my mind, that little thought kept nudging me, reminding me that sometimes, the best way to show your appreciation is with something unexpected.
But for now, I would keep those thoughts to myself and focus on the meal—and on finding a way to show Ethan just how much this meant to me, without crossing any lines.
The kiss and bed fun, I decided, would stay a fantasy. At least for now.
I should ask Ethan about his recipe.