Lena and Ethan lingered over breakfast longer than they meant to, sunlight spilling across the table and warming the cozy kitchen as they sipped their coffee and shared quiet smiles between bites.
Lena was mid-sentence, recounting a funny moment from law school, when Ethan's phone buzzed on the counter.
He reached for it with a sigh, glancing at the screen.
"Work?" Lena asked, already reading the look on his face.
Ethan nodded, reluctantly answering the call. "Yeah, it's my assistant." He stepped aside for a moment, speaking in a low tone while Lena watched him from her seat, tracing the rim of her mug with her finger.
When he returned, his expression was apologetic.
"I have to head back to the office," he said, brushing a hand through his hair. "Apparently, the board moved the finance meeting up and they need me to review the updated numbers."
Lena smiled, soft and understanding. "Duty calls."
Ethan leaned down and kissed her forehead gently. "I hate leaving you."
"You're not," she said, standing to walk him to the door. "I'm taking the day off anyway."
He paused mid-step, turning back to her with a slight grin. "Oh? Taking the day off?"
Lena nodded, letting out a soft breath. "Yeah. I just… need a break today. From work, the office, everything. My head's still a little heavy."
"Good," Ethan said without missing a beat, his expression softening. "You deserve a day to breathe."
Lena smiled, leaning casually against the counter. Then Ethan stepped closer, placing his hands on Lena's waist and gently pulling her toward him.
"Should I be worried you're going to run off with someone else while I'm stuck in a boardroom?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.
Lena tilted her head, her hands resting lightly on his chest as she looked up at him with a playful glint in her eyes. "Well, I did hear my laundry basket whisper sweet nothings to me this morning."
He leaned in, slipping his arms around her waist. "Tell it to back off. You're mine now."
Lena blushed, smiling as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "A little possessive, aren't we?"
"Only with you," he murmured, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth. Then another. And another.
She laughed softly, swatting his chest. "Go. You're going to be late."
He stepped back reluctantly, grabbing his keys. But before walking out, he turned back one last time.
"Leave your evening open."
Lena raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "Says the guy who suggested we should stay away from each other for a few days to avoid stirring up tabloid rumors."
Ethan grinned without shame. "Yeah, well... I changed my mind."
She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Doesn't sound like Ethan Calloway," she murmured.
He stepped in closer, his hands sliding back to her waist again, his gaze dipping to her lips before meeting her eyes.
"Maybe I'm not who I used to be," he said quietly, the playfulness still in his voice—but gentler now. Warmer. "Or maybe... you just bring out a version of me I didn't know existed."
Lena's smile softened, her heartbeat stuttering in that familiar way he always seemed to trigger without trying.
"Sweet talk this early in the morning?" she teased, trying to keep it light, though her voice came out a little breathless.
Ethan leaned in, brushing his lips against hers in a slow, lingering kiss that stole her breath and left her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt.
When he pulled back just slightly, his forehead rested against hers, and his voice dropped to a low murmur.
"Only for you," he whispered.
Lena smiled, eyes still closed, as her fingers slid up to rest lightly against his jaw.
"You should go," she said softly, though neither of them moved.
"I should," he agreed, but his thumb was already tracing a lazy circle at her waist, his gaze locked on her like leaving was the last thing he wanted.
She gave him a gentle nudge toward the door, grinning. "You're going to be late, CEO."
He smirked. "Worth it."
He kissed her once more—quick this time, but no less full of feeling—before finally grabbing his keys from the counter.
As he reached the door, he glanced over his shoulder.
"I'll see you tonight?"
Lena nodded.
With one last smile, he disappeared through the door.
After Ethan left, the apartment felt quieter—but not empty.
Lena moved around in slow motions, cleaning up the breakfast dishes, letting the scent of coffee linger in the air a little longer. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the way Ethan had kissed her, held her and the softness in his eyes. She hadn't felt this calm in weeks.
Just as she curled onto the couch, letting her mind wander, her phone buzzed beside her.
Sophie.
Lena answered with a small smile. "Hey."
Sophie's voice came through the speaker, slightly sheepish. "Hey. I just wanted to say sorry about last night."
Lena shook her head. "Don't apologize. I was the one who showed up unannounced. I didn't mean to intrude."
"You didn't intrude," Sophie said quickly. "You're always welcome, Len. Seriously. Come have lunch with me? My treat." Lena smiled and responded. "Alright. I could use some friend time."
They met at a quiet little bistro tucked into a corner of the city. By the time their food arrived, Lena had just finished telling her everything about the meeting with Anthony.
Sophie's fork froze mid-air. "He what?"
Lena looked down at her salad. "He refused to sign. Even after I told him I'd give up the penthouse. Said he'd only let me go if I…" she swallowed, "...slept with him."
Sophie's eyes widened in horror. "Are you kidding me? That's disgusting."
Lena nodded, keeping her tone even. "I didn't tell Ethan. What boyfriend wants to hear that another guy wants to sleep with their girlfriend?"
Sophie leaned forward, her expression tense. "Yeah, but you can't just carry that alone. You sure you're okay?"
"I'll be fine," Lena said softly. "I've blocked Anthony. I won't meet him. No calls, no texts. I don't know how else to end it, but... I'm hoping time will force him to disappear."
Sophie exhaled, her hand reaching across the table to squeeze Lena's. "I'm so sorry, Lena. You don't deserve any of this."
"I know," Lena whispered. Then, determined to shift the mood, she smirked. "Anyway, enough about me. Let's talk about you and James."
Sophie's face instantly lit up. "Oh my god. Lena. He's... amazing. I mean, I've known him for years and I never saw this side of him. He was so sweet and always caring. He even contacted Ethan when he noticed something was off with you."
Lena smiled. "Calloway brothers... who knew they'd be so hot and so good at this whole 'caring deeply' thing?"
Sophie giggled. "Seriously. If you told me six months ago I'd be dating James Calloway, I'd have laughed in your face."
"So…" Lena leaned in with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Should I start looking at wedding venues?"
Sophie flushed. "Don't push it."
Lena laughed.
"I don't even know if he's thought about the future," Sophie said after a pause, twirling her fork. "Maybe he's just that kind of guy—treats his woman like a princess. Maybe he was like that with all his exes too."
"You're scared," Lena said gently.
"A little," Sophie admitted. "I like him. A lot. I just don't want to get swept up in something that ends the moment it gets serious."
Lena nodded slowly, her gaze dropping to the rim of her coffee cup. "I get that," she said softly. "I used to think I had a future with Anthony. That we were building something real. I gave him years of my life, thinking that meant we were headed somewhere… steady. Safe."
She paused, then looked up at Sophie with a faint, bittersweet smile.
"And then it all unraveled. So yeah… I know how scary it is to want something real, but be afraid it'll vanish the second you start believing in it."
Sophie's expression softened, her eyes shining a little. "That's exactly it."
Lena reached across the table, her voice quiet but steady. "But I also know what it feels like when someone actually shows up for you. Without conditions. Without playing games."
She gave Sophie's hand a squeeze. "Just take it one day at a time. If James is real about you, you'll know."
Sophie grinned and raised her glass. "To figuring it all out—one day at a time." Lena clinked hers with a quiet smile. "One day at a time."