Ellen and Edrick sat in a comfortable silence after the waiter left with their order, the noise of the restaurant filling the space between them. faint clink of cutlery and the low hum of nearby chatter provided a soothing backdrop as they both took a moment to settle into the unexpected encounter.
Ellen glanced at Edrick from the corner of her eye, noticing how he seemed perfectly at ease, his posture relaxed as he leaned back in his chair. She could see the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips, as if he found their quiet exchange amusing in some way. The sight made her feel a bit more at ease, though a small part of her was still trying to process how easily they had slipped into this moment, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
After a few moments, Edrick cleared his throat softly, drawing Ellen’s attention. He shifted slightly in his seat, as if contemplating something, before glancing back at her with a curious look in his eyes. "You seem deep in thought," he remarked, his voice light and easy.
Ellen smiled faintly, shaking her head. "Just thinking about how we keep bumping into each other," she replied, her tone teasing. "It’s like fate, or maybe just really bad timing."
Edrick chuckled, the sound warm and contagious. "Well, either way, I’m not complaining," he said, his eyes twinkling with good humor. "But I did notice you’ve been pretty quiet. Everything okay?"
Ellen’s smile grew a bit wider, feeling a strange sense of relief that he was the one to break the silence. "Yeah, just... thinking," she said, her voice trailing off slightly as she tried to find the right words. She glanced down at the table, tracing the edge of the menu with her fingertip. "Actually, I was going to ask... did you order something for yourself too? I thought you might’ve been full after that meeting with your colleague."
Edrick blinked, then let out a soft laugh, realizing what she meant. "Oh, right," he said, nodding slightly as he leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "I only ordered a drink when I was with her. I wasn’t really hungry then, but now..." He shrugged, giving her a sheepish grin. "Guess it’s catching up to me."
Ellen nodded, understanding. "Makes sense," she replied, her gaze softening as she watched him. "So, when did you get back from Paris?"
"Just the day after the wedding," Edrick answered, his tone casual. "How about you?"
"Two days ago," Ellen said, her voice light as she met his gaze.
Edrick nodded again, his expression thoughtful as he shifted his gaze towards the window beside them. His eyes seemed to follow the passersby outside, watching as they went about their day, oblivious to the quiet moment happening inside the restaurant.
Ellen found herself studying him in the brief silence that followed, noting how at ease he seemed despite the unexpectedness of their meeting. There was a calmness about him that she couldn’t quite place, calm assurance that made her feel oddly secure. And yet, as she sat there, she couldn’t help but think about the last time they had been this close—their dance at the wedding.
She had been so sure that things would be different after that night. But here he was, acting as if nothing had happened.
Edrick’s voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. "It’s nice out today," he remarked, still gazing out the window. "Perfect weather for a day out."
Ellen nodded, her eyes following his gaze to the bustling street outside. "Yeah, it is," she agreed, her tone thoughtful. "I almost stayed in today, but I’m glad I didn’t."
He turned back to her, his expression warm. "Same here," he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
As their conversation reached a relaxed pause, the waiter arrived with their orders, placing the plates in front of them with a polite nod. The pleasing aroma of the food immediately filled the air, causing Ellen’s stomach to growl softly in anticipation. She couldn’t help but glance down at the dish before her, her mouth watering at the sight.
Edrick’s order had been a perfect recommendation—a beautifully cooked dish that looked both hearty and delicious. Ellen picked up her fork, her curiosity piqued, and took her first bite. The flavors exploded in her mouth, rich and savory, with just the right balance of spices and textures. She let out a soft, involuntary moan of satisfaction, her eyes closing briefly as she savored the taste.
When she opened her eyes again, she found Edrick watching her with a knowing smile. "Good, right?" he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Ellen felt a slight flush creep up her cheeks at the sound she’d made, but she couldn’t deny how good the food was. She nodded, returning his smile with a sheepish grin of her own. "So good," she murmured, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "I didn’t expect it to be this amazing."
Edrick chuckled, the sound low and pleasant as he took a bite of his own meal. After a moment, he looked at her, his expression thoughtful. "You’ve changed a little bit," he remarked, his tone casual but observant.
Ellen paused, her fork hovering just above her plate as she looked at him with curiosity. "What do you mean?" she asked, a small smile playing on her lips, though her heart skipped a beat at the unexpected comment.
He took a moment to finish chewing, then leaned back slightly in his chair, studying her with a relaxed gaze. "You seem more... free, more expressive," he explained, his eyes softening as he spoke. "I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but you seem different—more at ease, I guess."
His words hung in the air for a moment, and Ellen found herself caught off guard. The way he said it, so nonchalant yet so direct, left her momentarily speechless. Her mind raced as she tried to process what he was saying, and then it hit her—he was talking about Ellen Winters, not her.