Chapter 17: A Glimpse of Vulnerability

As they sipped their drinks and waited for their food to arrive, the conversation flowed effortlessly. They talked about everything from their favorite books to their childhood memories. Ashley found herself feeling more and more at ease in Ethan's presence, and she couldn't help but notice the way he listened intently to everything she had to say. As they chatted, Ethan's eyes wandered around the room, taking in the atmosphere of the restaurant. At one point, he looked down at Ashley's arm, and his gaze landed on the tattoo she had gotten for Ender. The words "Ender" and a small heart were etched in bold letters on her forearm. Ashley's heart skipped a beat as she saw Ethan's eyes lingering on her tattoo. She felt a surge of anxiety, wondering if she should reveal the story behind the tattoo. Before she could decide, Ethan spoke up. "Ender?" he asked, his voice low and curious. "That's a unique name. Is that a friend of yours?" Ashley hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. She thought to herself, what if he doesn't want to date a single mom? What if he's not interested in getting involved with someone who has a child? But something about Ethan's kind eyes put her at ease, and she decided to take a chance. "Ender is my son," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I got the tattoo for him. He was born when I was very young, and he's been my world ever since." The air seemed to pause for a moment as Ethan processed the information. Ashley's heart was racing, waiting for his response. But to her surprise, Ethan's expression softened, and he looked at her with a warm smile. "I'm glad you have someone so special in your life," he said, his voice filled with genuine interest. "I'd love to hear more about him sometime." Ashley felt a wave of relief wash over her. She hadn't expected Ethan to be so understanding, and she found herself feeling drawn to him even more. As they continued to talk and laugh together, Ashley couldn't help but wonder if she had found someone special. As the night wore on, Ethan asked her more questions about Ender, and Ashley found herself opening up to him in ways she hadn't expected. She told him about her job, about the struggles she had faced as a single mom, and about her dreams for the future. And with each passing minute, she felt like she was getting to know Ethan better, and like he was getting to know her. The food arrived, and they dug in, savoring the flavors and the conversation. As they finished their meal and prepared to part ways, Ethan reached out and took Ashley's hand. "I had a great time tonight," he said, his eyes locked on hers. "Would you like to do it again sometime?" Ashley smiled, feeling a spark of excitement. "I'd love to," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. As they exchanged numbers and said their goodbyes, Ashley couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she had found someone who would accept her for who she was, Ender and all.