Page 53 of Ethan

They ate without talking for a while, the comfortable quiet of men who’d grown up at the same table. Connie refilled their coffee without being asked and the diner moved around them, the Saturday morning crowd working through their plates and their conversations.

Ethan was halfway through his eggs when Seth set his fork down.

Here it comes.

“Are you going to ask her out properly or just keep circling?”

Ethan chewed. Swallowed. “I already took her to The Hartland.”

The silence that followed was almost funny.

Cole turned to look at him slowly. “The Hartland.”

“Yes.”

“You took her to the Hartland.” Seth said it like he was making sure he’d heard correctly.

“That’s what I said.”

Another silence.

“You haven’t taken anyone there in years,” Cole said.

“That’s not true.”

“Name one person since Claire.”

Ethan opened his mouth. Closed it.

Seth picked his fork back up, nodding slowly. “That’s what I thought.”

“It’s just a restaurant.”

“It’s a reservation restaurant,” Cole said. “You planned ahead. You don’t plan ahead for just a restaurant.”

Ethan looked down at his plate. “I didn’t plan ahead. I had to call Grant. Eat your breakfast.”

Neither of them said anything for a moment.

Then Seth smiled. “Good for you, little brother.”

It wasn’t teasing this time. It was genuine, and it landed differently because of it.

Ethan said nothing, but he didn’t argue either.

Cole picked up his coffee and leaned back on his stool. “So where do things stand?”

“We’re taking it slow.”

“Define slow,” Cole said.

Ethan gave him a look.

Cole held up a hand. “I’m asking because I care, not because I’m nosy.”

“You’re both nosy.”

“Occupational hazard of being your brothers.” Seth set his mug down. “We just want you to be happy, Ethan. That’s all.”