Chapter 6: Coffee and Consequences

Ava hadn't planned on staying long when Ethan suggested coffee she had imagined a quick conversation before heading home thirty minutes at most.

Instead, nearly two hours had passed and somehow she hadn't checked the time once.

The café was small and cozy, tucked between a bookstore and a flower shop soft music played in the background while people chatted quietly around them.

So let me get this straight, Ethan said, shaking his head you once got locked inside your university library? Ava laughed so hard she nearly spilled her coffee It wasn't my fault 

"It wasn't!"

It was closing time, Ava you don't understand he raised an eyebrow Ava tried to explain as he listened I was studying for an economics exam and I lost track of time Ethan laughed, normally people leave when the lights start going off.

Both of them laughed for the first time in weeks, Ava felt completely relaxed no pressure no expectations no awkward silences filled with unanswered questions just conversation simple and easy the kind she used to have with Noah years ago the thought made her smile fade slightly.

Ethan noticed immediately are you okay? Ava blinked.

"Yeah."

You don't look okay he said to her, for a moment she considered brushing it off then she sighed I'm just tired she hesitated Ethan leaned back in his chair the expression on his face wasn't nosy It was concerned a genuine concern she hadn't realized she'd been missing you don't have to tell me if it wasn't your choice I mean everybody have rights to make their decision but a problem shared is a problem solved Ava looked down at her coffee.

It's very very complicated she said and laughed softly, tell me about it Ethan said as he smiled you know I've learned something

what?

The people who say 'it's complicated' are usually dealing with something very simple Ava frowned.

That doesn't make sense.

"It does."

He folded his arms the situation is simple then why does it feel complicated? because emotions are involved Ava stared at him.

For a businessman, he was surprisingly insightful maybe that was why talking to him felt so easy across the city, Noah stood inside his penthouse staring at his phone.

8:17 PM.

Normally, Ava would have called by now or sent a message or shared something funny she saw online tonight, nothing.

He frowned a strange feeling settled in his chest It wasn't concern at least that's what he told himself just curiosity finally, he picked up his phone and called her the call rang and rang and rang no answer Noah frowned deeper.

That was unusual Ava almost always answered unless she was working or sleeping or upset the last possibility lingered longer than he wanted before he could think about it further, another call came through.

Vanessa.

He answered immediately.

"What is it?"

"Ouch."

Her laugh echoed through the phone who upset you? No one."

"Sure."

Noah rubbed his forehead what do you need?"

I wanted to remind you about tomorrow's dinner his jaw tightened the investors' dinner another event another evening spent discussing business.

"I remember."

"Good."

A pause followed then Vanessa casually added, bring Ava Noah blinked.

"What?"

You heard me the suggestion surprised him Vanessa usually avoided mentioning Ava whenever possible.

"Why?"

"I think it will be interesting Noah didn't like the smile hidden in her voice not one bit at the café, Ethan checked the time and groaned dramatically tell me that's wrong."

Ava glanced at his watch It's almost nine exactly she said 

"What?"Ethan shouted 

I had plans to finish three reports tonight she laughed and instead I spent two hours drinking coffee his expression was so serious that she couldn't stop laughing a few nearby customers glanced in their direction.

For some reason, that made her laugh harder Ethan shook his head there it is

"What?"

"That smile."

Ava froze.

His tone wasn't flirtatious just honest you should do that more often something about the comment caught her off guard because she couldn't remember the last time someone had said something like that to her not recently not in a very long time before she could respond, her phone vibrated.

Noah.

The sight of his name immediately changed her mood Ethan noticed boyfriend? Ava nodded as she said again five years his eyebrows rose.

"Wow."

The single word carried genuine surprise Ava excused herself and answered the call.

"Hi."

Where are you? his voice sounded sharper than usual she frowned getting coffee."

At nine o'clock? he asked the question irritated her more than it should have.

"Yes."

A silence followed then Noah asked, "With who?" for a moment, Ava simply stared at the street outside the café window wondering because Noah hadn't asked how her day was or whether she was okay or why she sounded tired his first concern was who she was with.

"Ethan."

The silence that followed was noticeably longer.

"Ethan Brooks?"

"Yes."

Noah's jaw tightened on the other end of the line Ava couldn't see it but she could hear the change in his breathing something had shifted something small something dangerous for the first time in weeks, Noah felt something he hadn't expected jealousy and he hated it.

Because after everything he'd neglected, ignored, and taken for granted, he had absolutely no right to feel that way yet he did and that feeling was only beginning.