32 A Woman’s Hands


    Chapter 32 A Woman’s Hands


    “You were too focused on your task.”


    Ethan nced at Dawn from the side. “I even called your name–didn’t you hear me?”


    +10 Pine Con


    Dawn nodded quickly, then let out a big, dramatic sigh, lookingpletely defeated. “This is so hard, Ethan. Suddenly, I think you’re amazing–not just keeping up with school, but handling business stuff too, and on top of all that, you even find time to learn how to cook! You’re basically a genius!” <fn8577> This text is hosted at Find_Novel(.</fn8577>


    Ethan paused mid–move, then grinned. “Was that supposed to be apliment?”


    “Of course!”


    Dawn really meant every word. “No wonder everyone calls you their dream guy. You totally earned that.”


    Ethan leaned in and asked smoothly, “So… any chance I could be your dream guy too?”


    <i>Wait</i><i>, </i><i>how </i>did this suddenly get turned back on me?


    Dawn’s eyes flicked away, her voice soft and vague. “Well, I did say you’re EVERYONE’S dream guy,”


    Seeing she didn’t want to answer, Ethan didn’t push. He just chuckled softly. “Alright, then. Your dream guy is cooking dinner right now. You can go wash your hands and maybe even take a shower. If nothing goes wrong, dinner will be ready soon.”


    After messing around in the kitchen earlier, Dawn’s hands were still greasy.


    She had nned on cooking for Ethan, but in the end, he was doing it himself.


    A little embarrassed, sheughed and teased, “Well, then, I’ll thank you in advance. Later, you’ll get a big gold star for your hard work!”


    Maybe Dawn hadn’t noticed yet, but she and Ethan were getting morefortable with each other.


    They could joke around, but also have real, deep conversations.


    Ethan worked quickly–within half an hour, he’d made all four dishes Dawn had nned. <b>At </b><b>the </b>table, she ate while showering him withpliments, like a super–eager employee


    Chapter 32 A Woman’s Hands


    trying to impress the boss. The only difference? Dawn was hoping for future home–cooked micals.


    “See? I know how hard you’ve been working, so I went out and bought you a cake. How nice of me, right?”


    Sheughed as she opened the box, showing a purple cartoon cake inside.


    Ethan’s eyebrow twitched. “You bought this…just for me?”


    “Of course.”


    Dawn’s eyes sparkled. “Don’t you like it?”


    Her face basically screamed, <i>Praise </i><i>me</i><i>. </i><i>Go </i><i>on</i><i>, </i><i>praise </i><i>me</i><i>! </i>


    Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing low. “Thanks, Dawn. I really like it.


    “Then I’ll cut it for you.” Dawn grabbed a te, bubbling with excitement. “You gave me that hungry look yesterday–like you really loved this bakery. Next time I pass by, I’ll buy you another one.”


    Ethan wanted to say it wasn’t necessary.


    But he couldn’t deny he liked her buying him things.


    In the end, most of that tiny four–inch cake ended up in Dawn’s stomach instead.


    She felt mortified and quickly offered to do the dishes<i>. </i>


    Ethan said calmly, “A woman’s hands aren’t meant for chores like that.”


    Dawn blinked. “Then what are they for?”


    es As are


    “Maybe it’s different for other people. But for me? A woman’s hands are only meant to be held.”


    After saying that, he carried the dishes into the kitchen. Dawn stared at his tall, broad frame as he walked away, shaking her head and clicking her tongue.


    <i>Good</i><i>–</i><i>looking</i><i>, </i><i>funny</i><i>, </i><i>gentle</i><i>, </i><i>patient</i><i>, </i><i>and </i><i>he </i><i>can </i><i>cook</i>.


    <i>With </i><i>a </i><i>man </i><i>this </i><i>perfect </i><i>right </i><i>in </i><i>front </i><i>of </i><i>them</i>, <i>what </i><i>woman </i><i>wouldn’t </i><i>fall</i><i>? </i>


    <i>Thank </i><i>God </i><i>I’ve </i><i>just </i><i>gotten </i><i>away </i><i>from </i><i>that </i><i>hellhole </i>with Austin<i>, </i><i>and </i><i>I’m </i><i>still avoiding </i><i>rtionships</i>. <i>Otherwise</i><i>, </i><i>I </i><i>might </i><i>not stand </i><i>a </i><i>chance </i><i>either</i><i>. </i>


    Chapter 32 A Woman’s Hands


    +10 Fres Colts


    Ethan had no idea he’d already been quietly ced in Dawn’s “friendzone.” His job kept him super busy–outside of making time for dinner with her, he worked over ten hours a day.


    Dawn noticed it all, and sometimes she tried to be considerate–picking up takeout on her way home or suggesting they eat out together.


    Cooking, though? That wasn’t something she was excited to try again anytime soon.


    Days passed, and Austin still hadn’t reached out.


    Dawn enjoyed the peace and quiet, almost forgetting he even existed.


    Sunday came–it was time for the neighborhood’smunity tea gathering.


    Dawn picked a simple white dress, put on a lightyer of makeup, and headed <i>to </i>the venue.


    She’d always known it was a fancy neighborhood, but when she walked into the upscale tearoom, she couldn’t help being impressed at how much the management spent. She and Austin had been there once before, and the minimum charge was five figures.


    At the entrance, a waiter greeted her warmly and led her to a private room. “Mrs. Jackson, this way please.”


    Dawn still wasn’t used to being called that. She gave an awkward little thank–you before knocking twice on the door.


    Inside<i>, </i>several women were already gathered, chatting loudly. The moment they heard her, they all turned to look at her.