Chapter 2

The bartender refilled my glass, and Ethan’s phone buzzed but he ignored it. We had been talking for like twenty minutes which was long enough to forget that I was supposed to be guarded. He asked about my work, and I found myself telling him about StyledbyLin, the new designs I’m currently working on, the late nights, the fabric suppliers who never delivered on time, and the clients who wanted couture on a fast-fashion budget.

He listened in a calm, focused way that looked like he wasn’t waiting to talk but he genuinely wanted to hear me.

"Wow…so you built your own brand, Your work is really impressive, Linda," he said with a low and warm voice.

"Thank you," I replied smiling back.

I looked at him. It was a long stare. "So… what do you do?"

"I run a few companies. Tech, real estate, my own investment firm, but I'm also helping with my family's business now." He smiled. "It's a lot of meetings and putting out fires." He smiled. His phone buzzed again on the bar and this time he glanced at it and I saw a shift in his expression.

"Everything okay?" I asked.

He exhaled slowly. "Work emergency. There's a client crisis I need to handle." He looked genuinely frustrated. "I'm really sorry. I have to go."

"It's fine," I said quickly. "Go and handle it."

He stood but didn't move to leave. He just looked at me like he was trying to memorize my face.

"Can I get your number? I’d really like to see you again. And please don't say No" he asked.

I hesitated, I wasn't expecting that. The voice in my head screamed at me to say no, to let this be a one-time thing and remain safe.

But my mouth betrayed me.

"Sure," I replied.

He handed me his phone and I typed in my number. He dialed the number immediately and my phone buzzed in my purse.

"There, now you have mine too," he said smiling.

"Now I have yours too," I echoed and smiled back.

He lingered for one more second, then turned and walked towards the door. And then he was gone.

I stared at the empty seat for a second too long before snapping out of it and picking up my phone. I saved his contact as Ethan Vermillion before I could overthink it. I was still smiling at the screen when someone slid onto the stool beside me.

"I'm here! I'm so sorry! Traffic was…." Anabel stopped looking at me "You are smiling at your phone, Lin" Anabel laughed "Who and what is making you smile?". She leaned in to see what I was smiling at but I dropped my phone.

"It’s nothing,” I took a sip of my wine trying to look casual but Anabel was glaring at me while studying my face.

"That’s a lie and we both know that, Lin I know you. It's definitely something. Spill it now!”

"Okay, fine… I just met someone while I was waiting."

Her eyes went wide. "What? Who? Tell me everything."

"It's not a big deal, it was just a guy. We talked for a bit but he had to leave. Work emergency or something."

"Did you get his number?" she winked at me.

I looked at her with a smile. "I did."

Anabel grabbed my arm shaking it excitedly. "I’m happy for you, Lin. You never do this."

"It's not a big deal. It was just a conversation."

Anabel’s grin was bright. "This is more than just a conversation but it's okay, it’s okay! I won’t push.” she signaled the bartender ordering herself a drink.

“So what’s he like? Is he cute? Please tell me he's cute."

“He’s.…" I paused trying to find the right words to describe him. "He seemed nice and easy to talk to."

"And cute?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, Anabel. He’s cute." I smiled.

"I’m so proud of you," she said, squeezing my hand. "You deserve this. You deserve someone who makes you smile like that. I haven’t seen that smile in years. It’s cute"

"Stop it."

She laughed and just like that the moment passed. We talked about her day at work, her boyfriend, and this new restaurant she wanted us to try. I listened, laughed, and flowed with her energy, as I always do. She also talked about the small welcome party she was planning for her older brother who was finally moving back. She told me his brother was going to take over the family business and how excited her parents were about it. I nodded along, listening, asking questions, but none of it connected to the man who had just walked out of the bar. Why would it? That kind of coincidence doesn't even happen in real life.

 We stayed at the bar for another two hours. Anabel talked, I listened, and I tried not to think about the stranger who'd made me feel something I'd buried years ago.

  I woke up with a hangover the next morning, I dressed up and went to my studio with a headache and sunglasses because the lights felt too bright for me. Maya was already there in my office, standing beside a medium-sized white box tied with a red ribbon with a suspicious grin on her face.

"Good morning, sunshine," she said happily.

“Good morning Maya” I replied dropping my bag on my table. “What’s this?” I asked pointing to the box on my table. "And why are you smiling like that?"

"Because……," she said, standing and giving a dramatic sign toward the table, "someone sent you breakfast."

"What?" I said looking at Maya shocked.

I untied the ribbon, lifted the lid, and froze. Inside the box was a beautifully arranged breakfast spread. French toast, fresh fruit, orange juice, coffee, and a small card. Maya was practically vibrating with excitement. "Open the card!"

I picked it up and opened it. It says:

 Sorry, I had to leave early last night. I hope this makes your morning a little better.

—Ethan

I stared at the card, reading it twice.

"Well…" Maya leaned in reading my face. "Who's Ethan?"

I looked up at her, and I couldn't stop the small smile on my lips.

I sighed. "He’s just... someone I met at the bar last night."

Maya's eyes went wide. "Someone you met last night sent you breakfast? At your workplace?"

"It's just breakfast," I replied like it's no big deal.

 "Wait a minute!” Maya said like she just realized something "How did he even know where you work?"

“I told him about the studio,” I mumbled. “He must have looked it up.”

Maya smiled impressively “A man sent you breakfast without being asked. Linda, that’s not ‘just someone.’ That’s a real effort from an intentional man.”

I looked down at the card again. That tiny voice in my head is telling me to ignore it and let this fade. But instead, I pulled out my phone.

[Me: Thank you for breakfast. You didn't have to do that.]

His reply came almost immediately.

[Ethan: I wanted to. Did it work?]

[Me: Did what work?]

[Ethan: Making your morning better.]

I bit my lip, fighting a smile.

[Me: Maybe.]

[Ethan: I'll take maybe. Can we have lunch together later this week?]

I hesitated. My fingers hovered over the keyboard.

[Me: I'm really busy this week.]

[Ethan: Next week then?]

[Me: We'll see.]

[Ethan: I'm patient, Linda.]

I set my phone down, my heart racing.

Maya was watching me from across my table. She’d been studying my face.

"You like him," she said.

"That’s not true, Maya. I just met him."

"You're smiling at your phone. You like him."

I rolled my eyes, because maybe, just maybe, Maya was right.