A LOVE UNFOLDING
Grace hadn't planned to see Ethan again so soon. But the very next day, her phone buzzed with a message:
"I'm at the café. No pressure, but if you're free, I'd love the company. – Ethan"
For a long moment, she stared at the screen, her thumb hovering over the reply button. She wasn't sure what she was feeling—fear, excitement, or both. Finally, she typed:
"I'll be there in 20 minutes."
When she arrived, Ethan was already waiting at their usual table. He smiled when he saw her, that warm, easy smile that made her feel like the world wasn't so heavy.
"Hey," he said as she sat down.
"Hey," she replied, smoothing her coat nervously.
They talked for hours again, losing themselves in conversations about books, travel, and music.
Grace found herself laughing more than she had in months, her worries momentarily forgotten. Ethan didn't treat her like someone who was sick; he treated her like a person—like Grace.
As the weeks went by, their coffee dates became a regular thing. Ethan would text her good morning and ask how her day was going. Grace found herself looking forward to his messages, her heart racing whenever her phone buzzed.
She hadn't expected this. She hadn't expected him.