When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 152

Amelia

The golden sunset cast a warm glow over our beachside dinner table. I sat next to Ethan, watching the seafood sizzle on the grill, the aroma making my mouth water. His injured right hand rested on the table—the bandage I'd just changed earlier catching the light. The wound was healing well, but it still made my stomach twist to think about how he got it.

"Mom! Mom! Look what I made!" Ella tugged at my sleeve, her eyes bright with excitement. "My sandcastle had the biggest moat!"

"No way," Lucas argued from my other side, his voice serious as always. "Mine had better structural integrity. Noah said so."

I smoothed Lucas's hair, smiling at his use of such grown-up words. "I'm sure both castles were amazing."

"Lucas's castle could withstand a hurricane," Ethan chimed in with a wink. "He's got an engineer's mind."

I watched Lucas's face carefully, noticing the tiny flicker of pride before he masked it with indifference. My heart ached a little—he was so much like Ethan, stubborn and guarded, but desperate for approval.

Across the table, James maintained his typical poker face. I couldn't help but notice how he deliberately avoided looking at Sophie, who'd been flirting shamelessly with him all afternoon. Poor Sophie—she had no idea what she was up against. James Hayes had a reputation for being impenetrable when it came to romantic advances.

"A toast," Ethan announced, raising his glass of sparkling water. The setting sun reflected off the crystal, casting tiny rainbows across the wooden table. "To our perfect Hamptons getaway."

I lifted my own glass, helping Ella properly hold her juice cup with both hands. Lucas mimicked Ethan's posture perfectly, sitting straighter and holding his glass with practiced precision. The resemblance between them hit me so hard I almost couldn't breathe.

"Hear, hear," Noah called out, flashing his trademark movie-star smile. "And thanks to our gracious hosts for the beach house and yacht experience. Though I'm still bitter about that volleyball match, Black."

"You're just mad because you serve like my grandmother," James muttered, earning laughter from around the table.

I felt Ethan's hand rest lightly on my knee under the table. His touch was casual but intimate—a silent acknowledgment of our reconnection. I fought the urge to place my hand over his, still not entirely comfortable with public displays, even among friends.

The scraping sound of chair legs against the wooden deck made me turn. Sophie was standing up, her beach dress billowing slightly in the evening breeze. I exchanged a quick glance with Ethan, catching the slight upturn of his lips. He'd seen this coming.

I reached out instinctively as Sophie's dress fluttered dangerously high, but she stepped away before I could grab it. The conversation around the table died instantly. All I could hear was the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore.

"I'd like to make an announcement," Sophie declared, her voice carrying across the suddenly silent table. I gripped my napkin tightly, my knuckles turning white. This was either going to be incredibly brave or painfully embarrassing.

James choked on his drink, coughing violently. I half-rose to help him, then hesitated, sinking back into my seat as he waved everyone off.

"Dude, you okay?" Noah laughed, slapping James on the back. "Sophie hasn't even said anything yet, and you're already dying."

Sophie lifted her cocktail, her eyes locked on James. "To new beginnings and taking chances," she said firmly. "And to James Hayes, who thinks he can ignore me all weekend."

I watched her intently, remembering my own complicated journey with Ethan. Sophie had that same determined look I'd seen in my mirror countless times.

"I'm officially declaring my interest," Sophie continued, downing her cocktail in one impressive gulp. "And I'm not taking no for an answer."

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair, tapping my fingers against the armrest. My mind was already racing ahead to how I'd comfort Sophie later when James inevitably shut her down.

The tension around the table was palpable. Olivia looked both horrified and delighted. Noah was barely containing his laughter. Rachel seemed concerned but unsurprised.

I felt a warm touch on the back of my neck, Ethan's fingers slightly rough from the beach sand. He leaned close, his breath tickling my ear.

"Don't worry," he whispered. "That was actually polite for James. He once made a Victoria's Secret model cry by telling her he wasn't interested in 'high-maintenance mannequins.'"

I turned slightly, raising an eyebrow at him. "Seriously?"

His lips brushed against my temple, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine. "Want to walk on the beach later? The stars should be out soon."

I glanced at the kids, who were now building sand sculptures with Olivia and Noah a few feet away from our table.

Ethan followed my gaze and raised his voice slightly. "Noah, you'll watch the kids for a bit, right?"

"Sure thing," Noah called back without looking up from the sand castle. "They're way better behaved than you, anyway."

I took Ethan's outstretched hand, standing up. His eyes held a softness I was still getting used to—vulnerable and open, so different from the cold mask he'd worn when we first reconnected.

The warm evening breeze tousled my hair as we stepped away from the table, the scent of salt and grilled seafood lingering in the air. Ethan's fingers intertwined with mine, steady and reassuring.

I glanced up at him, catching the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips. For a moment, the noise and tension of the dinner faded completely, replaced by the gentle rhythm of the waves and the promise of a quiet night ahead.

"The stars are beautiful over the ocean," he said quietly. "I want to see them with you."

My heart skipped a beat as I nodded, letting him lead me away from the table and the drama unfolding between Sophie and James. For now, it was just us, walking toward the shoreline as the first stars began to appear in the darkening sky.