CHAPTER 02
Ethan froze, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling within him. Nervousness battled with exhilaration as Sarah finally turned, her eyes widening in recognition. The woman in the picture paled in comparison to the real Sarah; her eyes, the color of a moss-covered forest floor, held a depth that captivated him. A hint of a blush crept up her cheeks as their gazes locked.
"Ethan?" Her voice, a low whisper, held a tremor that mirrored the nervous flutter in his stomach.
"Sarah," he breathed, his voice husky with emotion. The air crackled with unspoken words, a tangible tension that stretched between them.
Before they could bridge the gap, a booming voice cut through the charged atmosphere. "Sarah! There you are! I was just admiring your work." A distinguished-looking man with a salt-and-pepper beard approached, his arm outstretched.
"Professor Davies," Sarah responded, a touch of relief tinging her voice. "This is Ethan," she added, gesturing towards him.
Ethan offered a hesitant smile. "Professor Davies, a pleasure."
Professor Davies, a renowned wildlife conservationist apparently familiar with Sarah's work, launched into a passionate discussion about the photorealistic griffin image. Ethan listened politely, his attention constantly flickering back to Sarah. He noticed the way her eyes lit up as she spoke about her photo expeditions, the same fire he'd glimpsed in her messages.
As the conversation progressed, Ethan realized this wasn't just a casual acquaintance of Sarah's. There was a comfortable warmth in their interactions, a layer of history beneath the surface. A pang of jealousy, sharp and unexpected, twisted in his gut.
The announcement for the award ceremony snapped him out of his reverie. Sarah, nominated for Best Mythical Creature Photo, excused herself from Professor Davies and turned to him, a hint of concern in her eyes.
"You okay, Ethan?" she asked softly.
He swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "Just a bit overwhelmed. This place is incredible, your work even more so."
A genuine smile broke across her face. "Thank you, Ethan. It means a lot coming from you." They stood in a comfortable silence for a moment, the awkwardness of their online connection fading with each passing second.
Then, the emcee's voice boomed through the gallery. "And the winner for Best Mythical Creature Photo goes to…" Ethan watched as Sarah held her breath, anticipation tightening the air around them.
"Sarah West!"
Sarah's face erupted in a radiant smile, relief and joy radiating from her. The crowd erupted in applause, and Ethan found himself clapping along, a surge of pride warming him from the inside out.
As Sarah stepped onto the stage to collect her award, Ethan realized something profound. His feelings for Sarah were no longer confined to the digital realm. He was captivated by her talent, her passion, and the woman she seemed to be beyond the screen.
The night flowed by in a blur of congratulations and conversation. Sarah, her initial nervousness replaced by a confident grace, introduced him to her colleagues from the wildlife photography circuit. Ethan, in turn, shared stories of his mountain adventures, his eyes constantly seeking Sarah's across the room.
He noticed Professor Davies lingering near Sarah, their conversations laced with a subtle intimacy. The jealousy he'd felt earlier simmered back up, threatening to extinguish the spark that had ignited between them. He knew he was being irrational, but the thought of losing this connection before it even had a chance to blossom filled him with a cold dread.
As the night drew to a close, Sarah approached him, her eyes filled with a question Ethan couldn't decipher.
"Would you like to grab a cup of coffee sometime?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan's heart leaped in his chest. "I'd like that very much," he replied, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
As they stepped out of the gallery into the crisp Montana night, a million unspoken questions hung between them. Would their online chemistry translate into the real world? Was Professor Davies more than just a colleague? One thing was certain – Ethan wouldn't let this moment pass him by. He was determined to bridge the gap between pixels and pines, between whispers in the code and the promise of something real, something wild, something beautiful.
The cafe bustled with the murmur of conversation and the rhythmic hiss of the espresso machine. Sarah, bathed in the warm glow of a hanging lamp, stirred her latte, her eyes sparkling with an unfamiliar nervousness. Ethan, opposite her, found himself captivated not just by her beauty, but by the vulnerability etched on her face. Here, stripped of the anonymity of the online world, Sarah seemed hesitant, unsure.
"Thank you again for coming tonight," she said, breaking the silence. "It meant a lot to have you there."
Ethan leaned forward, his voice a low rumble. "The award was well-deserved. Your photos are breathtaking."
A blush dusted her cheeks. "You've seen them all, haven't you?" she asked, a playful glint in her eyes.
Ethan chuckled. "Every single one. And let me tell you, some landscapes pale in comparison to your mythical creatures."
Sarah's laughter filled the cafe, a sound as melodic as the wind chimes outside. As they chatted, the awkwardness melted away, replaced by an easy flow of conversation. They spoke about everything and nothing – their childhood dreams, their deepest fears, their hopes for the future. Ethan learned about Sarah's lifelong fascination with mythical creatures, a fascination ignited by bedtime stories and fueled by her adventurous spirit. Sarah, in turn, discovered Ethan's love for the mountains wasn't just about the thrill of the climb, but about the sense of peace he found amidst the untamed wilderness.
Hours flew by in a whirlwind of shared laughter and stolen glances. Yet, a shadow lingered on the periphery – Professor Davies. He'd texted Sarah earlier, his message displayed prominently on her phone screen. Ethan couldn't help but steal a peek. "Congratulations again, Sarah. Drinks tomorrow night?"
A wave of possessiveness washed over Ethan, a feeling he couldn't quite explain. Sarah noticed his gaze and quickly minimized the message.
"He's a colleague," she explained, her voice laced with a hint of defensiveness. "We collaborate sometimes."
Ethan nodded, forcing a smile. Yet, the seed of doubt had been planted. Was he just another collaborator for Sarah, or was there something more?
As they stepped out of the cafe, the cool Montana night air sent a shiver down Sarah's spine. Ethan, without a second thought, offered her his jacket. The gesture felt oddly intimate, a physical tether binding them together.
"Are you staying long in Montana?" Sarah asked, her voice soft.
Ethan hesitated. He'd booked a return flight for the next day, a safety net in case their online connection fizzled in person. Now, he wasn't so sure.
"I... I could change it," he admitted, his voice rough with emotion. "If you wanted."
Sarah's eyes widened, a flicker of something that looked suspiciously like hope dancing within them. Before she could respond, her phone buzzed again. It was Professor Davies.
"Ready for dinner yet?" the message read.
The pressure mounted, a silent question hanging in the air. Ethan took a deep breath, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs.
"There's a hike I know," he said, his voice low and determined. "A breathtaking view of the sunrise. Would you like to see it with me?"
Sarah stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, a slow smile spread across her face, a smile that lit up her entire being.
"I'd like that very much, Ethan," she replied.
As they walked side-by-side, the tension replaced by a burgeoning excitement, Ethan knew this wasn't just a hike. It was a test, a chance to bridge the gap between the virtual and the real. The Montana sunrise awaited, a canvas untouched by the digital realm, ready to be painted with the vibrant colors of their blossoming connection. Would they find their happily ever after amidst the wild beauty of nature, or would the ghost of the digital world cast a long shadow on their newfound reality? Only time, and the whispers of the dawn, would tell.