Page 38 of Game Changer (Hidden Attractions #2)
Maya
Ethan shows up at my dorm room on Friday at eight in the morning with a bouquet in one hand and a duffel bag in the other. I’m utterly confused, when he says, “Want to go on a trip?”
“A trip?” My heart races at the possibilities. “I would, but I have to work, and—”
“No, you don’t. Tabi didn’t mind switching shifts with you, so you’re working next Friday instead. We’ll be back in time for your shift tomorrow night.”
“I—” Words die in my throat before reaching my lips. I can count the number of times I’ve been on a trip on one hand, and after confiding in Ethan about my desire to travel, this gesture feels intimate —curated and designed specifically for me.
His lips quirk at the sides, a smug smile at catching me off guard, which is rare.
I’m a detective when it comes to surprises.
Once, I went through Maddie’s closet to find my Christmas present after hearing Ethan mention during dinner that she hides everything in there.
He was right. I discovered a beautifully wrapped box with my name on it behind a pile of dresses, and after pleading with Maddie to let me open it, I received the most expensive sweater I’ve ever owned.
I flick my eyes over his outfit of jeans and a button-down shirt. I’m not used to him wearing anything other than sweatpants or sweatshirts, and even though I’d never change him, he’s damn nice on the eyes like this.
A gold watch fastened around his wrist glints in the light from the hallway behind him, and his typically shaggy blond hair is combed back and contained at the nape of his neck.
When a hint of cologne makes my mouth water, I’m positive there isn’t a sexier sight than Ethan Davis.
“What should I pack?” I ask. “My hair isn’t done, and my makeup—”
“I allotted time for all of this.” He strides into the room and sits on my bed. “You have two hours to get all done up.”
“But what do I pack? I don’t know if I have anything fancy enough based on how you’re dressed.” I own skirts and crop tops, but I’ve never had a reason to buy an expensive dress. Although, I wish I had, so this moment wasn’t so awkward.
His gaze softens, tugging at my heartstrings. “Don’t worry about that. For now, just pack some pajamas.”
I arch a brow. “This is an overnight trip?”
I’m entirely feral for him when he nods and leans back on his hands, elongating his body. It’s a simple movement, one he doesn’t know elicits a reaction from me, but right now, it takes an enormous amount of effort not to straddle him when he looks as delectable as a sweet piece of cake.
I grin from ear to ear before grabbing my toiletry bag. “I think I’ll pass on the pajamas,” I say. “No use in packing them when I plan on sleeping naked.”
~
“Are you ever going to tell me where we’re going?” With my feet on the dash, I’m leaning back in the passenger seat while Ethan remains tight-lipped about where he’s taking me. We’ve been driving for almost two hours without a lick of a hint from the signs on the highway.
We stopped at a store before we hit the road, where Ethan bought my favorite road trip snack without having to ask.
I didn’t pay it much attention the last time we went on a trip with his family to the Grand Canyon when he came into the gas station with me and never left my side.
We picked out our snacks together, and then he snatched the Takis from my hands before I could reach the checkout counter.
He insisted his mom told him to pay, but the credit card he used had his name on it, not Mary’s.
My heart threatens to burst when I glance down at the Taki bag in my lap, the same flavor and everything. He’s remembered every detail about me, down to my favorite movie and designer brand.
The revelation has those three little words threatening to slip from my tongue until another green sign whizzes past us, drawing me from my stupor. “Sedona?” I ask.
He shakes his head with a smile, reaching over to interlock our fingers. “No. Now, will you stop guessing? You’ll see when we get there.”
~
“You’ve got to be shitting me! Ethan, tell me you’re joking.”
I fell asleep at some point, only to awaken in an entirely different universe.
Las Vegas, Nevada, the party capital of the United States, envelops us at every turn.
Neon signs and lights are a tease even though the sun is still up, but the city makes up for it with the bustling of people littering the streets.
Different vendors are stationed on corners selling a variety of objects, and the buildings are taller than any I’ve ever seen.
I’m craning my neck to try and get a glimpse of the rooftops when I shout, “This is insane! Have you been here before?”
“Uh, no. First time, actually.” Something about his tone seems off, and when I rip my gaze from the view to glance at him, I see a version of Ethan I thought had disappeared for good.
He’s got a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel, and his eyes never leave the road in front of him.
Cars surround us on every side as we travel down what I’m assuming must be the strip everyone talks about, and although our morning yoga sessions seemed to have helped with his anxiety, he’s told me that traveling is a trigger for him.
“Shit. Are you okay?” I feel like an idiot for not remembering his travel anxiety until now. How could I have forgotten? It makes this impromptu trip more meaningful. Bringing me here is taking a lot of courage from him, and I don’t take it lightly.
He exhales a shaky breath. “I’m fine. There’s just . . . a lot of people here. I’ll feel better once we get to our hotel, but we have a stop to make first.”
~
I assumed the “stop” would be grabbing food from a grocery store for the night or replenishing the gas we’d burned through to get here.
I’m utterly speechless when we walk hand in hand into a little boutique nestled in the heart of the strip.
It’s girly and pink, with greenery and decor aligning with its aesthetic. The dresses on the racks are so me.
“I don’t even want to ask what we’re doing here.”
“I’m buying you a dress for tonight. Take your pick.”
I whip my head to his. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m dead serious.”
“Ethan.” My voice drops into a whisper as the sales associate makes a beeline for us. “With what money? I don’t have enough to pay you back for this.”
“It’s a good thing I’m not asking you to, then, isn’t it?”
I huff and cross my arms over my chest. The last thing I want is to be a charity case, and while he hasn’t given me a reason to feel that way, it’s difficult not to when everything, even the purchase of a new dress, is foreign to me.
Goodwills were my second home. Everything I own that’s in my closet is second hand except for the sweater Maddie got me for Christmas sophomore year.
My best friend didn’t understand why I cried over it.
It’s just a sweater , she said. But what she didn’t realize was that it was the first article of clothing I’d ever owned with the tags still attached.
And now I’m about to add a second piece to my collection.
Ethan, whose hands are still shaking from the anxiety coursing through his veins, squeezes my hand to comfort me instead. “I want to do this for you,” he whispers. “I set aside the money I got back from taxes the past few years to have moments like these.”
I scoff. “To buy dresses for women?”
“No,” he replies. “To buy dresses for you .”
The admission is still hanging in the air between us when the sales associate reaches us and begins rambling about the different sales they’re running.
My hand is slick as it clutches his, and I’m unable to say anything when he lets go and ushers me ahead of him to walk with the woman to pick out dresses to try on.
“Is there anything specific I should look for?” I call over my shoulder. I’m overwhelmed by the different fabrics and textures flooding the racks. “Length or color requirements?”
The raspy laugh he gives in response makes the hair on the back of my neck stand at full attention. “I’ve grown quite fond of the color pink when it comes to you, but no, no requirements.” His grin grows wider when I feel my cheeks heat beneath his scrutinizing stare.
“Surprise me, Maya.”