Ethan glanced down… and immediately felt his throat go dry.
The neckline of Rebecca Sanders's low-cut dress revealed a tantalizing glimpse of her deep cleavage, and paired with her towering height, it made him wonder how such a perfect woman could exist in real life.
"Aunt Rebecca, I'm Olivia's classmate. Where's your place? I'll walk you home," he said.
He didn't exactly want to see Olivia Sanders after everything that happened between them, but Rebecca was innocent. He couldn't just leave her in the park like this, especially in her condition.
"It's you… Ethan…"
Her eyes narrowed slightly, catching the red stains around his lips."Why is your mouth so red…? You wearing lipstick now?"
Rebecca's personality had always been fiery, quick with sharp words. But even tipsy as she was, she seemed to instinctively tone herself down in front of her daughter's classmate.
"Ethan, you should come have a drink with me."
"Aunt Rebecca, I think you should rest. If you want, I can book you a hotel room nearby—"
Before he could finish, Rebecca grabbed his hand, tears welling up in her eyes."God, these men are all bastards," she muttered, voice trembling. "Every damn client just wants to get me drunk, like I'm some kind of… trophy."
Her grip tightened on his hand."Ethan… come have a couple more drinks with me. There's a bar just across the street. Please."
Her tear-streaked face made his chest tighten. He could tell that if he refused, she might just break down right there.
"…Alright, Aunt Rebecca. I'll go with you."
Rebecca seemed slightly more steady on her feet as she rose, still holding his hand. In her Valentino heels, her already-imposing six-foot frame became nearly six-foot-three. Standing next to her, Ethan felt like a kid next to a runway model—a real "pony and carriage" pair.
Even at forty-two, her height, beauty, and commanding presence drew second glances from everyone they passed.
After leaving the park, she led him into a dimly lit tavern tucked between two brick buildings. Choosing a corner booth away from the noise, she ordered several bottles without hesitation.
"Ethan, you ever drink?"
He noticed she wasn't calling him "honey" anymore, and the realization let him breathe a small sigh of relief. That earlier kiss had been… intoxicating, but confusing.
"A little," he admitted.
"What kind of guy doesn't drink? Here—"
She poured him a generous glass, sliding it across the table with a sly smirk.
He glanced at the label, hesitating for a moment, but before he could reach for it, she leaned over, grabbed the cup, and tipped it straight into his mouth.
The liquor burned all the way down, making him cough hard enough to draw a few looks from nearby tables. Ethan wasn't used to drinking—his parents had been strict, the kind to frown at even a soda at dinner.
"Wow. You can't even drink?" Rebecca teased, shaking her head. "Don't tell me you've never even dated a girl, either."
Ethan stayed silent, eyes downcast. The truth was… she was right. He'd spent most of his high school years buried in books, and in college, Olivia had strung him along until he finally woke up.
Being here with Rebecca—a confident, mature woman—felt like stepping through the door to a completely different world.
"This is your first kiss, isn't it?"
He froze.
Rebecca crossed one long leg over the other, her heel dangling casually. She leaned forward, her voice low and teasing."No? Then let me give you a little… experience."
She smiled in a way that made his heartbeat go wild."That way, you'll know exactly what to do when you do get yourself a girlfriend."