"E-Ethan…"

Kate looked at him like he was a memory come to life. One she never expected to see again. One that hurt… and somehow, healed.

He smiled, still holding out the rose.

"Hi, Kate."

She didn't know what to do. Or what to say. She just stood there, breathing unevenly, the words stuck somewhere between her heart and her throat.

Ethan slowly lowered the rose and placed it gently in her hands.

"I didn't think you'd come," he said honestly, his eyes locking onto hers like they could still see all the way through her. "But I had to. Just in case you did."

She looked down at the stem trembling between her fingers, while around them, everyone had gone quiet. Some smiled. Others tried not to laugh.

"This was your idea?" she asked, glancing at Eileen.

Her friend raised her brows with a guilty smile.

"Don't look at me like that. I just thought… you deserved a nice night."

"A nice night," Kate repeated, somewhere between disbelief and nerves.

"You look beautiful," Et