Sophie sat at her kitchen table, staring at the neatly folded letter in her hand. Her cheeks were flushed with a mix of anger and disbelief. The roses on the counter were still vibrant, their heady fragrance filling the room, but now they felt tainted.
"Tom," she whispered to herself, the name slipping from her lips like poison. Of all the people in the world, it had to be him.
Her phone buzzed on the table, the screen lighting up with Ethan's name. She snatched it up, taking a deep breath before answering. "Hey."
"You sound off. What's wrong?" His voice was laced with concern.
"Can you come over?" she asked.
"Be there in ten."
---
Ethan arrived eight minutes later, his hair slightly tousled and his expression wary. The sight of him instantly calmed her nerves, even as the anger bubbled under her skin.
"What's going on?" he asked, shrugging off his jacket and tossing it on the back of a chair.
Sophie handed him the letter, crossing her arms as he read. His brows furrowed deeper with each word, and by the time he reached the end, his jaw was clenched.
"Are you kidding me?" he said, his voice low and dangerous.
Sophie sighed, leaning against the counter. "I know. I can't believe it either. He's been the one sending the roses and letters this whole time."
Ethan slammed the letter down on the table. "What is his problem? He cheats on you, breaks your heart, and now he thinks he can just... what? Win you back with flowers?"
"I guess so," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "It's like he doesn't even understand how much he hurt me."
Ethan paced the small kitchen, running a hand through his hair. "I swear, if I see him, I might actually lose it."
Sophie couldn't help but laugh at his dramatic pacing. "Calm down, Captain America. You've already fought one guy for me this week."
Ethan stopped mid-step, turning to her with a raised eyebrow. "This isn't funny, Sophie. That guy doesn't deserve another second of your time."
"I know," she said, her tone softening. "And he won't get it. I just... I needed to tell you. I thought you'd want to know."
Ethan's expression softened, and he stepped closer, his hands finding her shoulders. "I'm glad you told me. But if he tries anything else, you come to me. Got it?"
"Got it," she said, her lips curving into a small smile.
---
Later, they found themselves sprawled on Sophie's couch, a ridiculous rom-com playing on the TV. Ethan had his arm slung over the back of the couch, and Sophie was tucked into his side, her head resting on his chest.
"This movie is so bad," Ethan said, his voice vibrating against her cheek.
"That's the point," Sophie replied, poking his side. "You're supposed to laugh at how cheesy it is."
"I'd rather watch paint dry."
"Oh, come on. You don't think the scene where they fall into a giant cake is funny?"
Ethan snorted. "It's predictable. I saw it coming a mile away."
"Well, aren't you just a film critic," she teased, tilting her head up to look at him.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world outside the small living room disappeared. Ethan's gaze softened, his lips curving into a faint smile.
"What?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Nothing," he said, his hand absentmindedly playing with a strand of her hair. "I just like this. Us. Hanging out. No drama."
Sophie smiled, her heart fluttering. "Me too."
---
As the night wore on, their teasing gave way to quiet conversation, their voices low and intimate.
"Do you ever think about the future?" Sophie asked, her fingers tracing patterns on his shirt.
"Sometimes," Ethan admitted. "Why?"
"I don't know. I guess I wonder what it'll look like. Where we'll be."
Ethan's hand stilled in her hair, his thumb brushing against her temple. "I know one thing," he said softly.
"What's that?"
"Wherever we end up, I'll always have your back."
Sophie's breath caught, the weight of his words settling over her like a warm blanket. She shifted slightly, her face inches from his.
"Promise?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
"Promise," he said, his gaze unwavering.
For a moment, she thought he might kiss her, the air between them thick with unspoken words. But instead, he pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her protectively.
"Now stop overthinking and watch the movie," he said, his voice laced with humor.
Sophie laughed, burying her face in his chest. "Fine. But only because you're warm and I'm too comfortable to move."
Ethan chuckled, the sound vibrating through her. "Glad to be of service."
---
As the credits rolled and the room grew quiet, Sophie found herself dozing off in Ethan's arms. And for the first time in a long time, she felt completely at peace.