My Unexpected Forever

An Unexpected Invitation

Ava spent the rest of the day trying to focus on work, but it was impossible. Every time she opened a document or checked her emails, her mind wandered back to Ethan Carter.

The CEO.

The man she had accidentally bumped into that morning.

The man who somehow managed to appear calm, confident, and annoyingly charming at the same time.

She shook her head.

"Why am I even thinking about him?" she muttered.

By the time the workday ended, Ava was exhausted. She packed her things and headed for the elevator, eager to get home and forget about the strange events of the day.

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, a hand stopped them.

Ava looked up.

Her stomach dropped.

Ethan stepped inside.

Of course.

The elevator suddenly felt much smaller.

"Good evening, Ava," he said with a smile.

She forced herself to remain calm.

"Good evening."

For a few seconds, silence filled the elevator.

Then Ethan spoke again.

"You're avoiding me."

Ava nearly laughed.

"I barely know you."

"That's true," he admitted. "But every time you see me, you look like you're planning an escape."

Despite herself, Ava smiled.

"Maybe I am."

Ethan chuckled.

The sound made her heart skip a beat.

When the elevator reached the ground floor, Ava quickly stepped out.

She was determined to leave before things became even more awkward.

"Ava, wait."

She turned.

Ethan was standing behind her.

"What is it?"

"I'd like to take you out for coffee."

Ava blinked.

"What?"

"Coffee," Ethan repeated. "Just coffee."

Her mind raced.

No one had asked her out in months.

And she certainly hadn't expected a successful CEO to be the one doing it.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," she said carefully.

"Why not?"

Because you're too handsome.

Because you're making me nervous.

Because I don't trust myself around you.

But she couldn't exactly say that.

Instead, she shrugged.

"I don't mix business and personal life."

Ethan smiled.

"Fair enough."

To her surprise, he didn't argue.

Instead, he reached into his pocket and handed her a business card.

"If you ever change your mind, call me."

Ava stared at the card.

Then she looked back at him.

"You seem very confident."

"I prefer optimistic."

For the first time, she laughed.

A real laugh.

And for a brief moment, neither of them looked away.

As Ethan walked toward his car, Ava slipped the card into her bag.

She told herself she would never use it.

But deep down, she wasn't entirely sure.

Because something about Ethan Carter made her curious.

And curiosity, she was beginning to realize, could be dangerous.