ill weighed heavily on Lena's mind, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about the way Ethan had looked

Ethan had yet to mention Megan, and there was no real confirmatio

rnoon when Lena's phone bu

meet me at the park near your office a

What kind of favor? Was somethi

ure, I'll s

oughts of what Ethan could possibly need. Had something happened with Megan? Was he finally going to o

he waited for Ethan to arrive. The park was quiet, with only a few people jogging or walking th

ts of his jacket. He looked serious, more serious than she had ever

a small smile as he appro

ice soft. "What's going on? You s

ah, sorry if I worried you. It's just-there's something I need to

e thought. *He's going to tell me about Mega

calm. "You can tell me anyth

between them thick enough to cut with a knife. Ethan was quiet for a

her gaze with an intensity th

Megan," he said

she had suspected it, hearing the words come out

crambling to process the information

Yeah. I mean, it's been coming for a long time. We've been growing apart for mon

no matter the circumstances, and she hated the thought of Etha

han," she said softly

okay, though. It's just... it's weird, you know? To

e with someone for a long time, it feels like they become intertwined with

chirping of birds filling the air. Lena wasn't sure what to say. Should she off

decide, Ethan b

to tell you," he said, his vo

t,* she thought. *He's going to confess. He's

sked, her voice bar

right words. But then, just as he opened his mouth to speak, his phon

he screen. "Sorry," he muttered. "I have to

heart sinking. Th

aring at the ground as her mind raced. What was he going to say? Was

his expression was apologetic. "Sorry abo

to sound casual, even though her

axed now, like whatever he had been about to say wasn't as important anymore. Le

han said, his tone more casual now. "About life, relationships, all of it. And I real

p the disappointment from showing

ways been such a good friend to me, Lena

ad been so sure that Ethan was on the verge of confessing something deeper, but

d, forcing a smile. "You

to say something-anything-to break the tension, to tell him how she really felt. But she couldn't bring herse

rms. "I should probably get going. I promise

ding up as well.

ion between them still lingering. As they reached t

ith me today," he said.

ied, her heart heavy

breath caught in her throat as she wrapped her arms around him, trying to savor the mome

he asked, his ey

said softly.

mind was spinning with everything that had happened-his breakup with Megan

Maybe Ethan just needed time. Maybe he w

have to wait. And waiting w

-