had taken her by surprise, and she couldn't stop wondering if there was a deeper meaning behind it. Was Ethan

ake the feeling that things

e wasn't sure what to expect when she saw him at work. Would things be awkward now that he had

essie was already at her desk, h

ee?" Jessie asked, not wasting any time

wn and taking a seat. "Yeah, we

ssie raised an ey

gs aren't going well with his girlfriend, Megan. He said they've

e. "Whoa. That's big. Do you thi

le, and it felt really... personal. But I don't want to jump to co

e that if he didn't trust you. And let's be real, no guy just casually talks about ending a relationship

worse, interfere in someone else's relationship. Ethan had to make his own decisions about his love life. Still

ens," Lena finally said,

owing look. "You bet

-

, her phone buzzed with a message. She glanced at the scr

y parents are hosting a small dinner an

ef. *Dinner with his pa

timate setting? Did his parents know about Megan? Was this his way o

k, trying to keep her

e, I'd love t

nded almost

al, so no need to dress up

this felt like a big deal. Dinner with Ethan's parents wasn't something she h

g every outfit choice. She finally settled on a simple but flattering dress, figuring it was a safe be

The house was a beautiful two-story with a neatly manicured lawn, and as she approached t

p breath and ra

g effortlessly handsome in a button-down shirt and jeans. His sm

ing aside to let her in. "I'

tryway. "Thanks for inviting me. I did

. "Yeah, it's just my parents, and my younger sist

pected to meet Ethan's family this soon-or at all, really. This was defini

and his sister, Leah, was helping set out some last-minute dishes. The room was f

ucing her with a smile. "Lena, these are my

ing awkwardly. "Hi, it's r

t's so lovely to finally meet you, Le

d, surprise

"Oh yes, he mentioned how you two work togeth

sh, but she smiled. "I'm

was warm and welcoming, and it didn't take long for her to feel comfortable around them. They shar

rious smile. "So, Ethan never brings anyone

glancing at Ethan for help. He

lded lightly. "Do

g. "I guess I'm just lucky. Or

a playful nudge. "That's

y were kind, funny, and clearly very close-knit. It was heartwarming to see how much they cared about each other, and Lena couldn't

ir goodbyes, Nancy pulled Lena into a warm hug. "You're

the gesture. "Thank yo

e Lena shiver slightly, but she felt warm inside. This

than said, his voice soft as they re

art racing. "I had a great ti

eeper in his eyes-something she couldn'

oment, they stood there in silence

y something more, he stepped back, givi

rt pounding. "I will

's family had felt like something significant-something m

me woul

-