The work trip finally came to an end on a quiet Friday morning.
Diane stood at the airport terminal with her handbag slung over one shoulder, watching people move past her in a blur of suitcases, coffee cups, and hurried goodbyes. The past few days had been intense—meetings, presentations, late-night revisions—but somehow, through it all, Ethan had been there. Not in an intrusive way. Not overly forward. Just… present.
“Ready?” Ethan asked, pulling his small suitcase beside her.
She turned and nodded. “More than ready. I miss my bed.”
He chuckled. “Same here. Hotels are nice until day three. Then everything starts feeling unfamiliar.”
They boarded the same flight, seated a few rows apart. Still, every now and then, Diane would feel his eyes flick toward her, checking in, offering a sm
