The next few days felt like a whirlwind of work and small interactions with Ethan. Despite her resolve to keep things professional, Ava couldn't deny that there was an undeniable pull between them. Their coffee meetings, which had initially felt like just casual collaborations, were now becoming something else entirely. Every glance, every word, seemed to carry more weight, and Ava couldn't seem to stop thinking about it.
It had been almost a week since their first coffee together, and despite herself, Ava found herself looking forward to their next meeting. It wasn't just about the project anymore. Ethan had a way of making her feel like the only person in the room, as if all the noise of the world faded when they spoke. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if they were to take things a step further.
But she had a habit of overthinking things. As much as she was drawn to him, she was also wary. She'd been down this road before—caught up in something that seemed too good to be true, only to find herself heartbroken when it all fell apart. She wasn't sure if she was ready to risk it again.
The morning after their last coffee meeting, Ethan sent her a message. The words were casual, but the tone of his message made Ava's heart race a little faster.
Ethan: "Hey, Ava. I hope you're not too buried in work today. Any chance we could grab coffee again this week? I think I have a few ideas I'd love to run by you."
She paused, her fingers hovering over her phone. It was tempting to simply ignore it and continue with her day, but something made her reply.
Ava: "Sure. How about Thursday afternoon?"
Ethan: "Perfect. I'll pick a place. Looking forward to it."
Ava set the phone down with a sigh. Why was this so complicated? she wondered. Ethan seemed so easygoing, but there was still a part of her that couldn't quite shake the worry. Was she reading too much into this? She'd known people like him before—charming, successful, and utterly indifferent once they'd gotten what they wanted. Could she trust him?
She shook off the doubts and focused on her work, trying not to think about Ethan too much. But as the day wore on, her thoughts kept returning to their conversations, the way he'd smiled at her when they'd disagreed about an idea, the way he'd listened so attentively when she'd shared a personal story.
Thursday came quickly, and Ava found herself standing outside a small, trendy café that Ethan had chosen for their meeting. She had arrived a few minutes early, hoping to gather her thoughts and prepare herself for whatever this conversation might bring.
She spotted him the moment he walked through the door. Ethan looked effortlessly stylish in a navy jacket and a simple white shirt that clung just enough to show off his broad shoulders. His eyes immediately found hers, and he gave her a small smile as he approached.
"Hey," he greeted, his voice warm and friendly. "I hope I'm not keeping you waiting."
Ava smiled back. "Not at all. I was just enjoying the quiet."
They ordered their drinks and found a quiet corner to sit. The conversation started easily enough, revolving around work at first. They discussed the project, their frustrations, and the challenges of keeping everyone involved motivated. But as they settled into a comfortable rhythm, the topics began to shift. The talk about work grew quieter, and something else lingered in the air between them.
Ava caught herself stealing glances at Ethan as he spoke. There was something magnetic about him—the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about something he was passionate about, the slight curve of his lips when he smiled. She had been around enough confident, successful men to recognize the type, but Ethan was different. There was no arrogance in his demeanor. He seemed... real.
"So," Ethan said suddenly, leaning back in his chair, "tell me something about you that I don't know."
Ava raised an eyebrow. "You want a fun fact, or are you trying to get me to spill my deepest secrets?"
Ethan chuckled. "Maybe not your deepest secrets. But I'm sure you have something interesting hiding in there."
Ava hesitated. She had always been private, careful with what she revealed about herself. But there was something about Ethan that made her want to be more open. She found herself lowering her guard, just slightly.
"Well," she began slowly, "I've always wanted to go skydiving. Never had the chance, but it's on my list."
Ethan's eyes lit up with surprise. "Skydiving? That's... unexpected."
Ava laughed. "Yeah, I guess it is. I've always been drawn to adventure, but never had the guts to actually do it."
Ethan leaned forward, his eyes never leaving hers. "I think you'd love it. The thrill, the freedom—it's like nothing else."
The intensity in his gaze made her heart skip a beat. She found herself wondering what it would be like to take that kind of leap with him—emotionally, of course. But something about the way he spoke made her feel like maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't be so scary after all.
Before she could respond, the waiter arrived with their drinks. They continued to talk, but the conversation had taken a more personal turn. Ethan shared more about his childhood, about the expectations his family placed on him, and how he had often felt like he was living in the shadow of others' ambitions. He wasn't looking for sympathy; he was simply being honest.
Ava listened intently, her own walls slowly coming down as she realized how much they had in common. Despite their different worlds, there was a shared understanding between them. They both had dreams, but they also had to contend with the pressures of living up to expectations.
You know," Ava said, her voice quieter than usual, "I get what you mean. Sometimes it feels like no matter how hard you work, it's never enough. Like you're always chasing something just out of reach."
Ethan nodded. "Exactly. It's like the harder you try to be your own person, the more everyone expects you to fit a mold."
Ava smiled softly, feeling a rare sense of connection. She had always been careful not to let others define her, but sometimes it felt like an uphill battle.
"Well," she said, her eyes meeting his, "at least we're not alone in that fight."
Ethan smiled back, and for a moment, the world outside the café seemed to fade away. There was an unspoken understanding between them, a quiet acknowledgment that despite the differences in their lives, they had found something real.
As they wrapped up their meeting and prepared to leave, Ethan gave her a lingering look. "Thanks for this, Ava. I really enjoy our talks."
Ava felt a warmth spread through her chest. "Me too. It's nice to talk to someone who gets it."
As they said their goodbyes and parted ways, Ava couldn't help but feel like this was just the beginning. She wasn't sure where this connection would lead, but she was willing to explore it. And for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel so alone in her struggle.