Lena's day at work passed in a blur of half-read emails and meetings she couldn't fully absorb. Her thoughts drifted again and again to the night before—to Ethan's quiet tenderness, to the horrifying encounter with Anthony, and to the fragile balance she was trying to reclaim. When her phone buzzed with a message from Sophie, she welcomed the distraction.
Sophie: Just heard about Anthony showing up at your place. Are you okay? Why didn't you tell me?
Lena stared at the screen for a long moment, then typed a quick reply.
Lena: It's hard to explain over text. Can we talk tonight?
Sophie answered almost immediately.
Sophie: My place. 7pm. Thai takeout. You're not allowed to say no.
Later, Lena texted Ethan a quick update before heading to Sophie's house.
Lena: Sophie's worried. I'm going over to her place to catch up. Just wanted to let you know.
Ethan: Thanks for letting me know. Stay safe, and text me if you need anything.
By the time Lena arrived at Sophie's cozy apartment, the air was thick with the scent of lemongrass and curry. Sophie opened the door with her hair tied up and chopsticks already in hand.
"You look better than I expected," Sophie said, pulling her in for a hug. "But you're not off the hook."
Lena gave her a tired smile. "You already ordered?"
"You think I'd wait? I was starving. Now sit."
They settled on the couch, containers spread out before them. Lena took a slow breath and began.
"I came out of the shower," she said quietly, "and walked into my closet... in just my towel."
Sophie stopped mid-chew, her eyes sharp.
"He saw me," Lena whispered. "And the way he looked at me... I felt sick."
"Are you serious?" Sophie's voice rose. "That bastard! He's insane."
"He was angry. Said he saw Ethan and me at the hotel. Accused me of withholding sex from him for eight years. And then—" Lena's voice cracked. "He tried to force himself on me."
Sophie stood abruptly, pacing. "I swear to God, if I ever see him—"
"I was scared. But Ethan… he happened to drop by my house. He came just right on time before Anthony could go further," Lena added.
"That absolute fucking loser!" Sophie slammed her fist on the table, her face flushed with anger.
"It's okay," Lena said gently, though her fingers trembled. "Looking back now... I'm just really glad my first time was with Ethan. And that I never gave that part of myself to Anthony."
Sophie swirled her wine glass, a sly grin replacing her earlier anger. "Okay, but real talk - Ethan. How was he...you know?" She tilted her head suggestively.
Lena nearly spit out her drink. "Jesus, Sophie!"
"What?" Sophie laughed, unrepentant. "You bring up being glad your first time was with him and expect me not to ask for details?" She leaned in closer. "Come on. Good kisser? Hands? Did he—"
"Alright!" Lena's face burned as she hid behind her hands for a moment before peeking out. "He was...God, he was amazing. So patient. Like he wanted to learn my body, not just..."
She waved a hand vaguely. "It wasn't just sex. It felt like...like every touch meant something."
Sophie groaned dramatically, throwing her head back. "Ugh, that's so sweet it's disgusting."
She took a long drink. "James? Total opposite. That man could go all night and still want more."
"Sophie!" Lena choked on her wine.
"What? It's true!" Sophie's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I swear to God, there were times I'd fake being asleep just to get some rest." She twirled her hair, grinning. "Never worked though."
Lena buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with laughter. "I did not need to know that."
As they cleaned up, Lena's phone buzzed again.
Ethan: I'm downstairs. No rush—take your time. Just wanted you to know I'm here.
Sophie peeked over her shoulder. "That's your man, isn't it?"
"He's here to send me home," Lena nodded and smiled.
"Ugh, stop. He's perfect. You better marry him," Sophie teased.
Lena grinned, typing back.
Lena: We're done here. I'll be down in a minute.
When she stepped out into the apartment lobby, Ethan stood beside his car, looking up. The moment he saw her, Lena ran straight into his arms, burying her face in his chest.
"Miss me that much?" he teased softly.
"You have no idea," she murmured.
Ethan wrapped his arms around her, his lips brushing her forehead before lowering to capture hers in a slow and steady kiss.
During the ride back, Ethan drove with one hand resting steadily on the wheel, while the other reached across the center console, his fingers loosely wrapped around Lena's hand, their palms resting together.
"There's something I wanted to ask you," he said, his tone a little hesitant, like he was testing the waters.
Lena turned to him, curious. "What is it?"
Ethan glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "James and I… we've been talking. We'd like you and Sophie to meet someone important."
Lena blinked. "Important?"
"Our aunt," he said simply. "She's the one who raised us after our mum passed away. She's our mother's older sister, but she's always felt more like a mum than an aunt."
Surprise flickered in Lena's eyes. "I didn't know… about your mum."
Ethan's jaw flexed gently as he nodded. "Yeah. She passed away when I was ten. Cancer. It hit James harder—he was only five. Our dad was busy building up his business, it was our aunt who stepped up. She's… tough. Elegant. A little intimidating. But she's also the reason James and I turned out okay."
Lena reached over instinctively, placing her hand gently over his on the console. "I'd be honored to meet her," she said softly.
Ethan looked over at her, his eyes warming. "Yeah?"
She nodded. "Of course. She's your family."
A pause stretched between them, thick with emotion and unspoken affection. Ethan flipped his hand, lacing his fingers through hers and giving them a gentle squeeze.
"She's been asking about you, actually," he added, eyes returning to the road. "I might've… told her a little about you. She's curious about the girl who's making me smile more these days."
Lena laughed quietly, her heart fluttering at the thought. "Should I be nervous?"
Ethan grinned. "Only if you plan to run."
"I won't," she whispered.
As they pulled up outside her apartment, Ethan shifted the car into park but didn't move to get out. Instead, he turned in his seat and reached for her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her across the console gently until she was leaning into him. Lena melted into the embrace, her arms looping naturally around his neck.
He kissed her forehead with quiet affection, then leaned in to meet her lips. Lena lifted her hands to his chest, fingers spreading over the hard plane of muscle beneath his shirt. She could feel his heartbeat, rapid but strong.. His mouth moved against hers with slow intent, coaxing her lips apart, and when she sighed into him, he deepened the kiss.
His hands slid down her back, pulling her closer until their bodies aligned. The friction was electric; she arched into him without thought, her nails digging lightly into his skin through the fabric. A low sound escaped him and his tongue swept into her mouth.
When they finally parted, her forehead rested against his breath mingling.
"I like this," she whispered.
"What?"
"You. Me. This feeling."
Ethan smiled, his hands resting on her lower back. "Then get used to it. Because I'm not going anywhere."
She laughed quietly, brushing her nose against his. "You better not. Your aunt hasn't even judged me yet."
He chuckled and pressed one more lingering kiss to her lips before pulling back slightly, just enough to look her in the eyes.
"I think she's going to love you," he said.
"I hope so," Lena murmured, her gaze soft, a smile tugging at her lips despite the flutter in her chest.
For a moment, they sat there in the quiet cocoon of the car, headlights washing over the curb, the soft hum of the engine the only sound between them. Then, reluctantly, Lena unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door.
"Goodnight, Ethan," she said as she stepped out, her voice gentle, eyes lingering on him for just a second longer.
"Goodnight, Lena," he replied with a smile. Lena closed the door behind her and walked slowly toward the lift to her apartment.