The days following her coffee date with Ethan felt surreal. Lara found herself replaying their conversation over and over in her mind. It wasn't that anything dramatic had happened—no grand declarations or sweeping gestures. But something about their connection lingered, and Lara couldn't shake the feeling that, for the first time in a long while, she was on the edge of something real.
Despite the promise she made to herself to take things slow, a part of her couldn't stop thinking about him. She found herself checking her phone more often, waiting for his text, her heart fluttering every time it buzzed, only to be disappointed when it wasn't him. It was silly, she knew, but she couldn't help it.
That afternoon, as she scrolled through her social media feed, she spotted a post from Kelly. Her friend had shared a picture from a recent trip, the caption a playful remark about how she was "living her best life." Lara smiled despite herself—Kelly's infectious optimism always had a way of brightening her day. She decided to text her.
"You up for some coffee tomorrow?"
It didn't take long for Kelly to reply.
"You bet! I've missed our little catch-ups. Can't wait to hear about your date with Mr. Coffee Shop."
Lara chuckled at the mention of Ethan. It wasn't a date, not really, but it felt like one. A slow-moving one, but a date nonetheless.
"I'll tell you all about it. Let's meet at our usual spot?"
"See you there!"
Lara set her phone down, a small smile playing on her lips. Kelly was the type of friend who always knew how to make her laugh, even when she was feeling a little uncertain. After everything with Miles, Lara had clung to Kelly's friendship like a lifeline. She was the one person who had never judged her, even when her heart was broken, even when she made mistakes.
The next morning, Lara met Kelly at their favorite café, the small, cozy place tucked away on a quiet street. The smell of roasted coffee beans and the sound of soft jazz in the background created the perfect atmosphere for catching up.
Kelly was already there when Lara arrived, sitting in their usual spot by the window. She waved as Lara approached, her face lighting up as she saw her friend.
"So," Kelly said, settling into her seat and grinning, "tell me everything."
Lara took a deep breath, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. She hadn't expected to talk about Ethan so soon, but the excitement bubbling inside her was hard to ignore.
"It was... nice," Lara began, her voice soft but steady. "We went to this little café downtown, had coffee. We talked, mostly. It wasn't anything intense, but... it felt easy, you know? Like we could just be ourselves."
Kelly raised an eyebrow, her expression teasing. "Oh, I'm getting the vibe there's more to this story. Easy is good, but something tells me you're holding back."
Lara bit her lip, glancing out the window. "I don't know, Kel. It's just... I've been so guarded for so long, I don't know if I'm ready for something more. After everything with Miles, it just feels complicated."
Kelly's face softened, and she leaned forward, her voice quiet but kind. "I get it. You've been hurt, Lara. And I'm not saying you should rush into anything with Ethan. But don't let the past stop you from living in the present. If there's a chance with him, you owe it to yourself to explore it. At least a little."
Lara let out a slow breath, considering her friend's words. Kelly was right. She had spent so much time holding onto the past—focusing on what had gone wrong with Miles, what had hurt her—that she hadn't stopped to think about what she truly wanted for herself.
"You're right," Lara admitted. "I can't keep holding onto the past forever. I need to let go and see where things go with Ethan. I think I owe it to myself to try."
Kelly smiled, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "That's the spirit! Don't overthink it, Lara. Just take it one step at a time."
As they continued talking, Lara couldn't help but feel a sense of hope blossoming within her. Maybe Kelly's right. Maybe it was time to stop running from her feelings and start embracing the possibilities that lay ahead.
Later that evening, Lara received a message from Ethan.
"I had a great time the other night. I was thinking we could do it again sometime. How's Friday for you?"
Lara's heart skipped a beat as she read the message. There it was again—the pull, the warmth, the possibility. This time, she wouldn't hesitate. She would let herself take the step forward, even if it scared her.
"Friday sounds perfect. I'm looking forward to it."
She set her phone down, a quiet sense of excitement bubbling inside her. This was it her chance to move on, to let something new take root. And for the first time in a long time, she felt ready.