Likes her

Of course he likes her.

He'd liked her for a long time, although the origins of that were difficult to say.

The situation he finds himself in now is also difficult, but also pressing.

"E-Ethan," Charlie tugs slightly in his grasp, not trying to escape, but more to get his attention. "I really do work in the morning..." she chews her lip slightly, this new side of her starting to flesh itself out. "P-Please let me go?"

Ethan finds himself at an impasse.

There is no taking this back, whatever this exactly is. If he lets her go, the friendship will be changed in ways he can't predict, certain to never be the same. But the alternative is almost unthinkable.

Almost.