Page 26 of Love on the Edge
And he has every right to be.
I consider walking past him, pretending I don’t see him, but I know that won’t work. It’s better to just face it, to bite the bullet before it gets worse.
I make my way toward him, feeling every second of the distance between us.
"Ethan," I start, forcing myself to meet his eyes. "I've been thinking about what I said a lot. I’m so sorry. That was below the belt. I was hurt, and I didn’t mean it."
For a moment, he says nothing.
His jaw tenses, his lips press into a thin line. Then, finally—
"I’m sorry too," he says. "I shouldn’t have said what I said either. I was mad."
That’s it. No drawn-out lecture. No need to make me grovel. Just an acknowledgment, an understanding that we both went too far.
Before either of us can say anything else, Nina barrels into the moment, full force as usual.
"Good, I caught you!" She grins like she’s been waiting for this exact opportunity. "We’re having a family dinner at my parents’ house tonight. I know I’ve asked you before, and you always say no. Please! I really want you to come, and CC agrees."
I hesitate, glancing at Ethan.
I’ve never gone before. I’ve always had an excuse. Too busy, too tired, too focused on skating. But maybe I should go this time.
"Okay. I’ll come," I say, surprising even myself.
Nina squeals, literally squeals, and happy-dances her way to the locker room before I can change my mind.
I turn back to Ethan.
It feels like a fresh start. Like maybe this can be different.
"We’ll talk later," I say, offering him the out.
"No need," he replies, a flicker of something in his eyes I can’t quite place. "All is forgiven, Valeria. See you tonight."
Then he looks down at CC, who has been watching this entire exchange with careful curiosity.
"Come on, squirt. Let’s head out," he says, ruffling her blonde hair.
"Thank you, Ms. Blaze! I’ll see you next week!" CC chirps, grinning up at me.
I nod, forcing a smile, but my chest still feels tight.
Ethan and CC walk off together, her small hand swinging in his as she chatters excitedly, practically bouncing with every step. He listens, nodding along, throwing in a teasing remark every so often that makes her giggle.
I should leave. I should be walking in the opposite direction, shaking off whatever this is before it settles.
But I don’t.
I watch.
The way he slows his steps to match hers, the way he adjusts her ponytail absentmindedly when it starts slipping loose, the way he makes her feel like the most important person in the world without even trying.
It’s effortless for him. Not forced or performed, just… who he is.
And I feel something shift, something I don’t like.
I knew Ethan was a father. I knew he loved his daughter. But seeing it is different. Feeling it is different. Watching him hold her hand like it’s the most unshakable thing in his life, like there’s nowhere else he’d rather be, like he’d rearrange the entire universe to make sure she felt safe—
