"And then this - the moment he calls my name - is the real moment everything changes. He is no longer St. Clair, everyone's pal, everyone's friend. He is Étienne. Étienne, like the night we met. He is Étienne; he is friend." This moment marks a shift from casual familiarity to a deeper, more personal connection. The protagonist begins to see Étienne as more than just a friend, recognizing a profound significance in his presence and name.
"He is so much more. Étienne. My feet trip in three syllables. É-ti-enne, É-ti-enne, É-ti-enne. His name coats my tongue like melting chocolate. He is so beautiful, so perfect." The name Étienne becomes a symbol of attraction and admiration, emphasizing how the character perceives him as beautiful and almost unattainable. This scene captures the moment of awakening feelings and the transformation of their relationship."
