Ethan's POV
A car horn blasted nearby, making us jump apart like guilty teenagers.
The moment shattered like a dropped wine glass. A yellow taxi zoomed past, its driver shouting obscenities at another car.
"Jesus," I muttered, my heart hammering against my ribs. "Nothing kills the mood like traffic."
Stella stepped back, smoothing her hair with trembling fingers. Her cheeks blazed red, and she wouldn't meet my eyes.
"I should... I need to..." She fumbled with her phone, nearly dropping it.
"Hey." I caught her wrist gently. "Don't run away."
"I'm not running." She finally looked up, her eyes wide and conflicted. "I'm making a strategic retreat."
"From what? The chemistry you just admitted was there?"
"From doing something stupid." But she didn't pull away from my touch.
"Stupid ca
