As the evening wore on, we ended up at a small restaurant tucked away on a quiet street. The dim lighting and soft music created an atmosphere that was both intimate and unassuming. We ordered dinner a mix of our favorites and continued our conversation. This time, our discussion delved a little deeper. We talked about our aspirations, our fears, and the challenges we'd both faced over the years. I found myself opening up more than I expected, sharing bits of my past that I'd long kept hidden.
At one point, Ethan paused mid-sentence, his expression softening. "Ava, I've noticed that you sometimes hide your feelings behind sarcasm and deflection. I know you're scared of getting hurt, but... I just want you to know that you deserve to be happy. Even if it means taking a risk."
I felt my he
