His leg is pressed up against mine, and he has his hand on my arm. I know where he's going with this, but I can't. I can't go back to his apartment. Do I want to?
Yes, of course! My body is practically screaming out for him. But I really can't. Because if I go back to his apartment, you know what's going to happen, don't you? And I can't sleep with him. Not tonight. That's definitely not part of the formula for this evening.
"Not tonight," I say, pulling my arm back. "I can't."
He looks frustrated. There's something in his eyes that says he's not going to give up that easily. He's not going to take no for an answer. He stands up from the table and clears his throat.
"Everyone, can I have your attention?" his voice booms across the private dining room. The wait staff all stop and stare at him.
He now has a captive audience and he continues, "I need everyone to leave."
There are some low murmurs as people decide if he's serious. When he doesn't sit back down, and instead looks across the room to ensure people are following orders, they begin to file out—waiters, bussers, and other diners.
When the last person leaves, the room is silent and Ethan looks at me.
"What is it that you just said?" he asks me.
I don't immediately respond and he continues.
"Did you say you can't? Because it looks to me like you can."