Chapter 16:
Distance and Doubt
Monday felt heavier than usual. Lila had just settled into her morning routine when she saw a text from Ethan that made her pause:
“Sorry, can’t talk tonight. Work ran long. I’ll make it up to you.”
She frowned. Lately, it seemed like their moments together were becoming punctuated by interruptions—deadlines, obligations, unexpected events. A small knot of worry tightened in her chest.
Was he pulling away?
By evening, she decided to call him. The phone rang once, twice, and then clicked off. Confused, she tried again, but there was no answer. Her heart sank, and she wrestled with the frustration that bubbled beneath her calm exterior.
Meanwhile, Ethan was stuck in a late meeting that had gone far longer than expected. He had been thinking about Lila all day, imagining how disappointed she would be, how her eyes might cloud with worry or frustration. The thought made him ache.
Finally, as the office cleared and he stepped outside into the crisp night air, he dialed her number.
“Lila,” he said, relief flooding his voice when she picked up,“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
Her voice was soft, almost hesitant.“I… I thought maybe you didn’t want to see me anymore.”
Ethan’s heart tightened.“Never. You’re the last thing I think about before I sleep, the first thing when I wake. I promise, nothing’s changed.”
Lila exhaled, a laugh escaping through the tension.“You’re impossible,” she said, though the worry in her voice had faded.
“And you’re wonderful,” he countered, voice warm.“And patient. I don’t deserve how patient you are with me.”
They laughed softly, the distance of the evening melting away with each word. Even in the face of miscommunication, their bond had held firm, strengthened by honesty and care.
By the time they hung up, Lila felt lighter, reminded that slow-burn love wasn’t about perfection—it was about choosing each other, every single time, even when life intervened.
And she knew, with quiet certainty, that no late meeting, no missed call, could shake the steady connection they had built together.
Chapter 17:
Shared Secrets
It was a rainy Thursday evening when Ethan showed up at Lila’s apartment, umbrella dripping and hair slightly damp. He held a small paper bag with two steaming cups of tea.
“I thought you might need this,” he said softly, handing her a cup.
Lila smiled, the warmth of the tea matching the warmth spreading in her chest.“Thank you,” she murmured.
They sat on the couch, the rain pattering against the windows, the world outside fading into a soft blur. For a moment, neither spoke, content to sip their tea in quiet companionship.
Finally, Ethan broke the silence.“Can I tell you something… personal?”
Lila tilted her head, curiosity and concern mingling.“Of course.”
He took a deep breath.“I’ve always been… afraid of letting people in. Afraid they’ll see the parts of me that aren’t perfect. But with you, I feel… safe. Like I can actually be myself.”
Lila’s heart softened. She reached for his hand, squeezing it gently.“I know exactly what you mean,” she admitted.“I’ve spent so long trying to control everything… hiding the parts of me I thought weren’t good enough. But with you, it feels… different. Honest. Easy.”
Their fingers intertwined, and for the first time, the vulnerability between them was shared completely, unguarded. It wasn’tflashy or dramatic—just the quiet, steady acknowledgment that they were letting each other in, bit by bit, and that trust was growing between them.
Ethan smiled, a mixture of relief and affection.“I don’t say this enough, but… I like you. A lot. More than I can put into words sometimes.”
Lila leaned her head against his shoulder, heart fluttering.“I like you too, Ethan. More than I realized.”
