Lena spent the following days in a daze, trying to make sense of what had happened with Ethan. His breakup with Megan had been a major moment, but the confession she'd been waiting for-the one where he finally admitted he had feelings for her-never came. Instead, he had pulled back, reinforcing their friendship rather than deepening their connection.
Friendship, Lena thought bitterly as she stared out of her office window. It felt like a constant theme in her life, always so close to something more but never quite reaching it. She was tired of playing the "good friend" role. She wanted more, deserved more.
Jessie noticed her distraction almost immediately.
"Girl, you've been off all day," Jessie said, plopping down in the chair beside Lena's desk. "What's going on? Ethan?"
Lena sighed,
