Lila stared out of her office window, the city skyline stretching endlessly before her. The usual hum of her day—calls, meetings, and schedules—faded into a distant murmur. All she could think about was Ethan.
She turned the mug of lukewarm coffee in her hands, the words circling her mind like an unspoken mantra: What are we?
The question lingered like a stubborn shadow, refusing to be ignored. She didn't regret the kiss, didn't regret the slow unraveling of her walls around him. But now, weeks later, she found herself caught in a liminal space. Were they dating? Was it casual? Serious? The ambiguity gnawed at her, but every time she considered bringing it up to Ethan, a knot tightened in her chest.
Not because she doubted his feelings. No, Ethan had made it clear he cared about her. It was the vulnerability of saying the words aloud, of needing clarity, that made her hesitate. She wasn't sure if she was ready to define something so fragile and new.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a buzz from her phone. A text from Sofia, her childhood best friend:
Sofia: Drinks tonight. No excuses. The gang's missed you.
Lila smiled, her heart warming at the thought of seeing her old friends. They were her anchors, the people who had known her before success and ambition took over her life.
---
That Evening
The bar was a cozy, unassuming spot on the edge of town, far removed from the sleek, high-powered venues Lila usually frequented for work. She walked in to find Sofia, Jordan, and Priya already seated in their favorite booth, laughing over something Jordan had said.
"Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence," Sofia teased, sliding over to make room for Lila.
"Hey, I've been busy," Lila said, her tone light but sincere.
"Busy being mysterious," Priya added, her sharp eyes narrowing playfully. "You've been glowing lately. Spill. Who is he?"
Lila hesitated, her cheeks warming. She knew her friends wouldn't let it go, but the thought of sharing her burgeoning relationship with Ethan felt oddly intimate.
"It's… complicated," she said finally.
Sofia raised an eyebrow. "Complicated how? Like, 'he's married and you're his secret mistress' complicated, or 'we haven't put a label on it yet' complicated?"
Lila rolled her eyes. "Definitely the latter. He's not married. But we work together, and it's been… a lot to navigate."
Jordan leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Okay, but do you like him? Or is this just one of those 'let's see where it goes' things?"
"I like him," Lila admitted, the words feeling heavier than she expected. "A lot. He's… different. Grounded. Kind. But I don't know what to call what we have. And honestly? I'm scared to ask him."
Priya reached across the table, squeezing Lila's hand. "You don't have to have all the answers right now. Just enjoy it. If it's meant to be, you'll figure it out."
Sofia nodded. "Besides, labels are overrated. What matters is how he makes you feel."
Lila smiled, grateful for their support. "He makes me feel… safe. And seen. Like I can be myself without all the armor."
"Then he's worth holding onto," Sofia said firmly.
---
Later That Night
Back at her apartment, Lila sat on her couch, scrolling absentmindedly through her phone. She stopped on a photo she had taken weeks ago—a candid shot of Ethan at one of their quieter moments together. He had been laughing, his guard down, and the sight of it made her heart ache in the best way.
She didn't know what to call what they had, but maybe that was okay. For now, she could let herself enjoy it without needing a definition.
But as she set her phone down, a thought lingered: At some point, I'll have to talk to him about it.
For now, though, she would let things unfold as they were meant to.