h4Chapter 164: Let’s Date Already/h4

    The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of Winters Corporation, its sleek ck surface gleaming under the golden sunlight ofte morning. Ruby adjusted her sunsses as the driver opened the door for her. She stepped out carefully, one hand carefully carrying her purse, the other holding onto Rayna’s arm.

    "You didn’t have toe with me, you know," Ruby said softly as they headed inside, nodding politely to the staff that bowed their heads in greeting.

    Rayna chuckled, linking her arm more tightly through Ruby’s. "Are you kidding? I’m not missing the sight of you walking into this building like a queen. Plus, I get to see your boss-sh-husband-in-the-making in his natural habitat."

    Ruby smiled. Stefan had indeed be something of a natural habitat to her—steady,forting, and always there.

    As they entered the private elevator reserved for executives, Rayna tapped her fingers against her thigh, clearly unable to hide her excitement. She nced sideways at Ruby. "So... this office of his... is it as fine as he is?"

    Ruby smirked. "You’ll see soon enough. But I should warn you—Stefan’s taste in office décor is suspiciously minimalist. Lots of ss, greys, and dramatic lighting. Very ’brooding CEO’ vibes."

    They bothughed, the sound echoing slightly in the elevator before it softly chimed and opened directly into Stefan’s floor.

    Ruby stepped out first, but Rayna lingered a moment, adjusting her earrings in the mirrored wall before following behind.

    The first thing they noticed when they walked into Stefan’s office was the figure standing near therge window. Tall, broad-shouldered, and instantly familiar.

    "Ethan?" Rayna’s voice came out high-pitched and uncertain, as though her mind hadn’t quite caught up to her eyes.

    He turned around immediately, as though her voice had struck something deep inside him. His gaze locked onto hers. For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. Then, instinctively, Rayna took a step forward.

    "Rayna..." he breathed, his voice thick with equal excitement. He’d done all these to get her attention but seeing her now, he just realized how much he’d missed her, too.

    Ethan watched as Rayna’s eyes sparkled, and a wide, genuine smile broke out across her face before she caught herself. Her smile faltered. Her excitement morphed into confusion, then tightened into a frown.

    "Wait—what are you doing here?" she asked sharply, crossing her arms over her chest. "And why are you acting like everything’s okay? You didn’t call. You didn’t check in. Not even a text, Ethan. Nothing at all."

    Ethan took a step forward. "I know. I know I messed up. But I—Rayna, I didn’t know where I stood with you. After the way you brushed me off, I thought... maybe I was reading too much into what we had that maybe you were just enjoying me courting you. That maybe you’d throw me aside when you were done."

    Rayna’s brows furrowed. Her arms tightened. "So what? You just shut down? Ghosted me because of your pride? Besides, when have I ever made you feel less wanted?"

    Ethan sighed and rubbed a hand over his face, clearly frustrated with himself. "I don’t know. Maybe I was too impatient. You kept acting like what we shared didn’t mean anything. I remember letting you know how I felt about you right from that night, six months ago. Yet, you keep making it look like it was just a fling. Or so I thought. When you saw me just now... the way you smiled. You looked happy to see me and that reaction? I could do this again if it means I’ll get that reaction from you."

    Rayna opened her mouth to deny it, but the words wouldn’te. Because it was true. She had been happy to see him, even if her brain tried to suppress it secondster and maybe, just maybe she’d been pretending too hard.

    Ethan stepped closer again, his voice softer now. "So why are we pretending? You like me, Rayna. I know you do. I feel it every time you look at me. Just like the way you’re looking at me now."

    Rayna’s chest rose and fell rapidly. She wanted to argue, to say something sarcastic, to keep her guard up—but her lips quivered with an involuntary smile. If she did, she might send him the wrong signal again.

    "Maybe I do," she whispered, voice caught somewhere between defiance and vulnerability. "Maybe I do like you, idiot."

    Ethan grinned, that charming, lopsided grin that always made her feel like she was the only girl in the world. "Then how about we skip all the drama and just... date already?"

    Rayna stared at him for a beat longer before letting out a giggle. "God, I can’t believe I’m saying this... but I think so too. I’ve been waiting for you to ask me that."

    Ethan leaned in before she could change her mind and pressed a quick, sweet kiss to her lips—just as Stefan walked into the room, followed closely by Ruby, who had paused by the ss wall to give them a moment.

    "Ahem," Stefan said loudly, folding his arms with a teasing smile. "Is this still my office, or should I give you two the key?"

    Rayna’s cheeks med red, and Ethan rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. Rubyughed and shook her head. "Guess we should’ve knocked first."

    "I knew it!" Stefan said, nudging Ruby gently as he came to her side. "I told you they were just being stubborn."

    Rayna rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. "Fine, fine. You were right."

    Stefan ced a hand on Ruby’s back. "We should probably get going. The event starts in two hours."

    "Oh, you mean the very event you got me a red carpet dress for?"

    Ethan scratched the back of his head. "Actually.. it was me. I got the dress for you," Ethan said and Ruby frowned since she’d been there when Stefan had ordered the dress.

    "I faked it," Stefan hurried to say when he saw Ruby looking at him quizzically. "I’m sorry I lied again."

    Ruby decided to let it slide even though she didn’t like that he was lying for so many things now.

    Ethan turned to her. "I got it so I could go with you as my plus one. So, will you do me the honor of being my date tonight?"

    Rayna flicked her hair dramatically. "You wish."

    They allughed, the tension finally broken, the office suddenly warm with camaraderie.

    As they walked toward the elevator together, Ruby nced up at Stefan, who immediately reached out to take her hand protectively. His other hand hovered near her waist, steadying her as they walked.

    "You didn’t tell me Ethan would be there," she whispered with a teasing smile.

    "I wanted it to be a surprise," Stefan murmured. "And besides, I thought it was time those two faced each other."

    She chuckled, leaning into his side. "I’m d they did. Feels like a happy ending is finally on its way for everyone."

    Stefan turned to her, brushing a gentle kiss on her temple. "Almost everyone. I still have a surprise of my own."

    Ruby looked up at him curiously. "Another surprise?"

    He gave her a mysterious smile. "You’ll see. Just trust me."

    As the elevator doors slid open and the four of them stepped in together,ughter and gentle teasing bouncing between them, Ruby felt a wave of warmth settle over her heart.

    She had no idea what Stefan was nning. But for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t afraid of the future. She was practically excited and couldn’t wait.