Emily had hoped the choir room would be the one place Ethan Monaco wouldn't follow her.
The warm smell of hymn books, the soft hum of the old electric fan, the worn wooden benches — it all felt safe. Here, she could breathe without wondering who was watching.
The sopranos were running through Amazing Grace for the third time when Sister Agnes clapped her hands.
"Alright, from the top, and remember — we sing to glorify, not to impress."
Emily smiled faintly. This was her world.
Halfway through the verse, she noticed the door creak open.
She kept singing, refusing to look.
Then the murmurs started. Someone missed their note. Another girl stopped entirely.
Emily followed their eyes — and her voice caught in her throat.
Ethan was leaning casually against the doorframe, dressed in black again, hands in his pockets like he had all the time in the world. His eyes were locked on her, his expression unreadable.
Sister Agnes frowned. "Young man, can I help you?"
He didn't move. "I'm just listening."
"This is a closed rehearsal," she said firmly.
Ethan's gaze didn't waver from Emily. "Then I guess I'll wait for her."
Her. Not a student. Not someone. Her.
The choir dissolved into whispers.
Emily felt heat crawl up her neck. "I'll… I'll be right back, Sister," she said quickly, ducking out before her knees could betray her.
She stepped into the hall, closing the door behind her. "What are you doing here?" she whispered.
"I was in the neighborhood." His voice was light, but there was something in his eyes that made her heart trip.
"This is church practice, Ethan."
"I know." He tilted his head, studying her like she was a puzzle he was determined to solve. "You sing well. I like it."
She stared at him. "You heard me for all of three seconds."
"That's enough."
Emily sighed. "You can't just… appear everywhere I go."
His mouth curved, slow and deliberate. "Can't I?"
Before she could argue, the door opened and Mia's head popped out. "Emily, your friend is welcome to join the rehearsal if he can sing."
Ethan's grin widened, and Emily instantly regretted every life choice that led her to this moment.