MARRIED TO MY CRUSH

An Unexpected.Dinner

Lena had spent the entire weekend replaying her coffee date with Ethan in her mind. His confession about Megan had taken her by surprise, and she couldn't stop wondering if there was a deeper meaning behind it. Was Ethan starting to see her in a different light? Or was she simply being his emotional confidante during a tough time?

Either way, she couldn't shake the feeling that things between them were changing.

By Monday morning, Lena was a bundle of nerves. She hadn't heard from Ethan all weekend, and she wasn't sure what to expect when she saw him at work. Would things be awkward now that he had opened up to her about his personal life? Or would they go back to their usual easy-going banter?

As she walked into the office, Jessie was already at her desk, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"So, did you meet up with Ethan for coffee?" Jessie asked, not wasting any time as she swiveled in her chair to face Lena.

Lena sighed, setting her bag down and taking a seat. "Yeah, we did. And it was... interesting."

"Interesting?" Jessie raised an eyebrow. "Do tell."

Lena hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "He told me that things aren't going well with his girlfriend, Megan. He said they've been growing apart and that he's thinking about ending things."

Jessie's eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa. That's big. Do you think he was hinting at something?"

"I don't know," Lena admitted. "Maybe? I mean, we talked for a while, and it felt really... personal. But I don't want to jump to conclusions. He's still in a relationship, even if it's on the rocks."

Jessie leaned in, her expression serious. "Lena, I'm telling you, Ethan wouldn't be opening up to you like that if he didn't trust you. And let's be real, no guy just casually talks about ending a relationship unless he's already mentally checked out of it. You need to stay close to him-this could be your chance."

Lena frowned, her thoughts swirling. Jessie had a point, but the last thing she wanted was to be a rebound or, worse, interfere in someone else's relationship. Ethan had to make his own decisions about his love life. Still, the idea of him possibly seeing her as more than just a friend was enough to make her heart flutter with hope.

"Let's just see what happens," Lena finally said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Jessie gave her a knowing look. "You better keep me updated."

---

Later that afternoon, as Lena was deep into a spreadsheet, her phone buzzed with a message. She glanced at the screen, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Ethan's name.

**Ethan**: Hey, are you free tonight? My parents are hosting a small dinner and I was wondering if you wanted to join?

Lena blinked in disbelief. *Dinner with his parents?* Was this real?

Her mind raced with questions. Why was he inviting her to such an intimate setting? Did his parents know about Megan? Was this his way of subtly introducing her to his family as more than just a colleague?

She quickly typed back, trying to keep her excitement in check.

**Lena**: Sure, I'd love to. What time?

Ethan responded almost immediately.

**Ethan**: 7:30. It's casual, so no need to dress up. I'll text you the address.

Lena stared at the message, her stomach flipping with nerves. Casual or not, this felt like a big deal. Dinner with Ethan's parents wasn't something she had ever imagined happening, and now that it was, she didn't know how to feel.

As the clock ticked closer to 7:30, Lena found herself standing in front of her closet, second-guessing every outfit choice. She finally settled on a simple but flattering dress, figuring it was a safe bet. Not too formal, but not too casual either. She wanted to look put-together, without trying too hard.

By the time she arrived at the address Ethan had texted her, she was a bundle of nerves. The house was a beautiful two-story with a neatly manicured lawn, and as she approached the front door, she could hear the sounds of laughter and conversation coming from inside.

Lena took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.

A moment later, the door swung open, and there was Ethan, looking effortlessly handsome in a button-down shirt and jeans. His smile was warm and inviting, and Lena felt her nerves start to ease.

"Hey," he greeted her, stepping aside to let her in. "I'm so glad you could make it."

Lena smiled, stepping into the cozy entryway. "Thanks for inviting me. I didn't realize it would be so... intimate."

Ethan chuckled, leading her toward the dining room. "Yeah, it's just my parents, and my younger sister, Leah. No big deal. They're excited to meet you."

The mention of his family made Lena's stomach flip again. She had never expected to meet Ethan's family this soon-or at all, really. This was definitely crossing over from "work colleagues" into something much more personal.

As they entered the dining room, Ethan's parents were already seated at the table, and his sister, Leah, was helping set out some last-minute dishes. The room was filled with the smell of home-cooked food, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting.

"Mom, Dad, this is Lena," Ethan said, introducing her with a smile. "Lena, these are my parents, Nancy and Greg, and my sister, Leah."

Lena smiled nervously, waving awkwardly. "Hi, it's really nice to meet you all."

Nancy, Ethan's mom, beamed at her. "It's so lovely to finally meet you, Lena! Ethan's told us so much about you."

Lena blinked, surprised. "He has?"

Nancy chuckled, giving Ethan a playful look. "Oh yes, he mentioned how you two work together and that you've been a good friend to him."

Lena felt her cheeks flush, but she smiled. "I'm happy to be his friend."

As they all sat down to dinner, Lena found herself relaxing into the conversation. Ethan's family was warm and welcoming, and it didn't take long for her to feel comfortable around them. They shared stories, laughed about family antics, and even teased Ethan a little, much to Lena's amusement.

At one point, Leah turned to Lena with a curious smile. "So, Ethan never brings anyone home for dinner. What makes you so special?"

Lena nearly choked on her water, glancing at Ethan for help. He just smiled sheepishly, shrugging.

"Leah," Nancy scolded lightly. "Don't embarrass her."

Lena quickly recovered, laughing. "I guess I'm just lucky. Or maybe I bribed him with coffee."

Ethan chuckled, giving her a playful nudge. "That's exactly it. Coffee bribery."

The rest of the dinner went smoothly, and by the time dessert was served, Lena felt like she had known Ethan's family for years. They were kind, funny, and clearly very close-knit. It was heartwarming to see how much they cared about each other, and Lena couldn't help but feel a pang of longing. She missed having that kind of connection with her own family, who lived halfway across the country.

After dinner, as they stood by the front door saying their goodbyes, Nancy pulled Lena into a warm hug. "You're welcome here anytime, Lena. It was so lovely to meet you."

Lena smiled, touched by the gesture. "Thank you, I had a great time."

As Ethan walked her to her car, the cool night air made Lena shiver slightly, but she felt warm inside. This evening had gone so much better than she had expected.

"Thanks again for coming tonight," Ethan said, his voice soft as they reached her car. "It meant a lot to me."

Lena looked up at him, her heart racing. "I had a great time. Your family is wonderful."

Ethan smiled, but there was something deeper in his eyes-something she couldn't quite place. "They really liked you."

Lena's breath hitched, and for a moment, they stood there in silence, the tension between them palpable.

But just as Lena thought Ethan might say something more, he stepped back, giving her a small smile. "Drive safe, okay?"

Lena nodded, her heart pounding. "I will. Goodnight, Ethan."

As she drove away, her mind was racing. Dinner with Ethan's family had felt like something significant-something more than just a friendly dinner. But what, exactly, was it?

Only time would tell.

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