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“It was.” Affection softens his features. “He was a complicated man—built a business that contributed to the greenhouse effect you are fighting, but he also taught me to respect the ocean and its creatures. I think he’d approve of the direction I’m trying to take his company now.”
“Balancing progress with protection,” I recall his words from the ship.
“Exactly.” He looks pleased that I remembered. “What about you? Any special family influences on your career path?”
“My father,” I say, memories surfacing. “He farmed in Iowa, but he was meticulous about being organic, even when it cost more or reduced short-term yields. He understood environmental stewardship as a moral obligation, not just a business decision.”
“That explains a lot about you,” Ethan observes. “The unwavering principles, the long-term perspective.”
“I suppose it does.” I’ve never connected those dots before. “He would have liked your turtle conservation program. He had a soft spot for endangered species.”
“And what would he think of you having dinner with a corporate CEO?” There’s genuine curiosity in Ethan’s question.
“He’d be suspicious of your intentions,” I admit with a smile. “But he’d respect that you’re trying to do better. He valued action over words.”
“Another thing you have inherited.”
The conversation flows through dinner—filling in the personal context missing from our reversed relationship timeline. I learn about Ethan’s conflicted relationship with his father, his initial resistance to joining the family business, his gradual recognition that he could drive more change from within the corporate structure than from outside it.
I share stories of my academic path, the mentors who shaped my approach to environmental science, the frustrations and rewards of advocacy work.
“Most people assume I enjoy conflict,” I say as we move to his living room with fresh glasses of wine, settling onto a comfortable sofa with the city glittering beyond the windows. “I hate it. I’d much rather collaborate than fight.”
“Says the woman who threw champagne in my face five days ago,” Ethan teases, sitting close enough that our knees touch.
“That was an anomaly! I was provoked.”
“By my very existence, apparently.” His eyes crinkle with amusement.
“You were baiting me?” I narrow my eyes.
“Testing you,” he corrects. “I wanted to see if the passionate advocate I’d read about was genuine or just another agenda being pushed.”
“And did I pass your test?” I ask, torn between irritation and intrigue.
“With flying colors. And excellent aim.” His smile turns rueful. “I didn’t anticipate being quite so impressed. Or that it would lead here.”
“Here” encompasses more than his apartment. It’s this unexpected connection, this complex relationship.
“I didn’t plan for ‘here’ either,” I admit, setting down my wine glass. “But I’m... glad it happened.”
“Are you?” He asks. “Even with all the complications?”
“Even with those.” I meet his gaze. “Though I’m still not sure how we are going to manage them.”
“Day by day,” he suggests, reaching to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering against my cheek. “With honesty and respect for each other, even when we don’t align perfectly.”
“That sounds great in theory,” I say, hyperaware of his touch. “Though I suspect the practice part will be more challenging.”
“It’s worth it.” His voice drops lower as his hand slips to the nape of my neck, drawing me closer. “Speaking of worthwhile things...”
When his lips meet mine—as if we’re remembering our intimacy and creating something new. I respond, my hands finding their way to his chest, feeling his heart race beneath my palms.
The kiss deepens, his tongue teasing mine as he pulls me closer, until I’m in his lap. What began as a gentle reconnection ignites into something more urgent, fueled by the few days of separation and the strange tension of being together outside the cruise ship.
“Harper,” he murmurs against my neck, his hands slipping beneath the hem of my dress to find bare skin. “I’ve been thinking about this since we landed.”
“Just since we landed?” I tease. “Your restraint is impressive.”