"I'm not clumsy, the floor just hates me, the tables and chairs are bullies, and the walls get in my way."* - Unknown

Katerina

The slow melody faded, leaving a pleasant hum of conversation in its wake. Ethan's hand lingered in mine for a moment longer than necessary, a warmth that spread through me like a slow burn. His eyes, the color of warm whiskey, held a look that made my heart flutter in a way it hadn't ever felt before. It felt strange to acknowledge that. I'd built walls around my heart, high and impenetrable, or so I thought. Ethan, with his easy charm and disarming smile, was making me question everything.

"Thank you for the dance," he'd said, his voice a low rumble that resonated somewhere deep inside me.

"Thank you," I'd replied, my own voice a little breathless.

He'd smiled again, that devastatingly charming smile, and then he'd turned to rejoin Phoebe, who was chatting animatedly with some of her family members. As he walked away, I instinctively turned and picked up my half-eaten slice of chocolate cake from a nearby table. I watched him go, my gaze lingering a little too long, I knew. *Get a grip, Katerina,* I told myself. This was just a dance, a fleeting moment of connection. It didn't mean anything. Did it?

I looked at the slice of chocolate cake in my hand, a half-eaten testament to my earlier attempt at self-soothing. Chocolate was usually my go-to comfort, but even its rich, decadent flavor couldn't quite distract me from the unsettling flutter in my chest. Ethan. He was… different. There was an energy about him, a spark that drew me in despite my best efforts to resist. And those eyes… those whiskey-colored eyes that seemed to see right through me. It was unnerving, and yet… I found myself wanting him to look at me that way again.

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"Earth to Katerina!" Phoebe's voice broke through my reverie. She was standing in front of me, her brow furrowed with concern. "You okay? You've been staring into space for the past five minutes."

"I'm fine," I said, forcing a smile, and taking a small bite of the cake. "Just thinking."

"About Ethan, right?" Phoebe's eyes twinkled mischievously.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't be ridiculous," I said, though my cheeks flushed a betraying shade of pink.

Phoebe laughed. "Come on, Kat. I saw the way you two were looking at each other. There's definitely something there."

"There's nothing there," I insisted, though even to my own ears, my denial sounded weak. "He's just… charming."

"Charming and gorgeous," Phoebe added, wiggling her eyebrows.

"And probably a player," I countered, trying to inject a dose of reality into the situation. Men like Ethan, with their easy smiles and worldly charm, were usually trouble. I'd learned that lesson the hard way.

"Maybe," Phoebe conceded. "But he's also my brother, and I trust him. And I think he's genuinely interested in you."

"Interested in what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "My event planning skills? My chocolate cake obsession?" I took another bite of the cake, savoring the rich flavor.

Phoebe sighed. "You know what I mean," she said. "He's interested in *you*. The real you, not the ice queen you pretend to be."

I bristled at that, though I knew Phoebe didn't mean it unkindly. "I'm not pretending to be anything," I said defensively. "I'm just… cautious."

"Cautious is one thing," Phoebe said. "Shutting everyone out is another."

I didn't reply. Phoebe's words hit a little too close to home. I knew I kept people at arm's length, but it was a defense mechanism, a way to protect myself from getting hurt again. And after what happened with… *him*… I wasn't sure I could ever truly let anyone in again.

"Look," Phoebe said, softening her tone. "I know you've been hurt in the past, but that doesn't mean you have to close yourself off forever. Ethan is a good guy, Kat. Give him a chance."

I looked at Phoebe, her eyes filled with genuine concern. She was my best friend, the sister I'd never had. And she was right. I couldn't keep living in the past, letting fear dictate my future. Maybe… maybe it was time to take a chance. Maybe it was time to let someone in. Just a little.

"Okay," I said finally, a small smile gracing my lips. "You win. I'll… I'll try to be less of an ice queen."

Phoebe grinned. "That's my girl!"

And as I looked around the garden, the music swirling around me, I had a feeling that maybe, just maybe, Phoebe was right. Maybe this was the start of something new. Something exciting. Something… hopeful. And maybe, just maybe, I was ready to let it happen.