The crisp air of early October carried a faint promise of autumn, leaves swirling on the city streets as Maddie hurried toward her new office building. The morning sunlight warmed her face, but nerves still curled in her stomach.

This was it: the first day of her dream job at Harper & Lane Marketing. She shifted her bag higher on her shoulder and gripped her coffee cup, silently coaching herself. You’ve got this, Maddie. New beginnings. No pressure.

The sleek, glass-paneled building loomed ahead, its modern lines reflecting the clear blue sky. Inside, the hum of activity greeted her, along with the faintest scent of cinnamon wafting from the café tucked near the lobby. Maddie exhaled slowly as she approached the reception desk.

“Hi, I’m Maddie—uh, Madeleine Porter. Today’s my first day,” she said, her voice a little too bright.

The receptionist smiled warmly and handed her a visitor’s badge. “Welcome! Head up to the fifth floor. Someone will meet you there.”

Her heels clicked against the polished floor as she made her way to the elevator. A quiet ding announced its arrival, and Maddie stepped inside, rehearsing how she’d introduce herself.

When the doors opened, the fifth floor was abuzz with life. Rows of desks stretched across the open space, dotted with mugs, planners, and the occasional mini pumpkin or decorative leaf garland. The first hints of autumn decorating had already taken hold, and Maddie smiled despite her nerves.

She barely had time to take it all in before a familiar voice rang out behind her.

“Maddie?”

She turned, blinking in surprise. “Ethan?”

There he was—Ethan, her childhood best friend, his grin as easy as ever.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice catching between disbelief and joy.

“Working, obviously,” Ethan said, leaning against a nearby desk like it was the most natural thing in the world. “What are you doing here?”

“Starting my new job,” she said, still processing. “Wait—are you saying we work at the same company?”

He nodded, clearly enjoying her shock. “Different departments, though. I’m upstairs with the project managers. But hey, small world, huh?”

Before Maddie could respond, a sharp but friendly voice interrupted. “Madeleine Porter?”

She turned to see a woman in a tailored blazer. “I’m Hannah, your supervisor. Welcome aboard. I’ll show you around.”

Maddie shot Ethan a quick smile before following Hannah. He responded with a wink and a cheerful, “Lunch is on you!”

Hannah led Maddie through the bustling office, pointing out the break room, conference rooms, and Maddie’s desk—strategically placed near a sunny window. The tour ended with an overview of her first-week schedule, and soon Maddie was settling into her seat.

Hours passed in a whirlwind of introductions and training sessions. By the time lunch rolled around, Maddie’s head was swimming with information. She barely had time to think before Ethan appeared at her cubicle, a crooked grin on his face.

“Need a break?” he asked. “I know a great spot for lunch.”

Maddie smiled, grateful for the interruption. “You read my mind.”

They walked to a café a few blocks away, where the cozy smell of fresh bread wrapped around them like a warm blanket. Over bowls of hearty soup, Ethan filled her in on office quirks, the best coffee spots nearby, and his latest misadventures.

It felt so natural, like slipping into a rhythm they’d never lost. Maddie found herself laughing, her earlier nerves forgotten. By the time they returned to the office, her steps felt lighter.

That evening, as she walked home beneath a sky painted in autumnal hues, Maddie reflected on the day. Her new job still felt daunting, but with Ethan around, it seemed a little less overwhelming.

For the first time in weeks, she let herself feel hopeful.

Maddie’s first few weeks at Harper & Lane felt like a whirlwind. She spent her days immersed in meetings, learning the ins and outs of her new role, and getting to know her colleagues.

She had always been a quick learner, but the new environment still had its challenges. Fortunately, Ethan was always around, a constant source of comfort amid the chaos.

Although Maddie didn’t want to admit it, his presence had started to feel like something more than just friendly. Ethan had a way of making her laugh, even on the toughest days.

He had a knack for lightening the mood, whether it was cracking jokes during lunch breaks or giving her a quick pep talk when she was feeling overwhelmed. It was comforting, especially after long, grueling hours at work.

But what struck her the most was how easily they slipped into a rhythm. She’d never had a friend quite like Ethan, someone who seemed to understand her in such a short amount of time.

Their friendship was simple, unpretentious, and yet… she couldn’t help but notice how much she looked forward to seeing him each day. Still, Maddie brushed these thoughts aside, telling herself that she was just adjusting to the new routine.

Her boyfriend, Mark, had been traveling for work since the beginning of the month. At first, Maddie had been excited about the space. It gave her a chance to settle into her new job without the distractions of managing a long-distance relationship.

But as the days stretched on, she found herself missing Mark more than she expected. Their messages were shorter now, more business-like. The spontaneous phone calls and late-night chats had become rare, replaced with impersonal texts about his work.

One afternoon, as the workday came to a close, Ethan swung by her desk. “Hey, Maddie,” he said with his usual easy grin. “You up for grabbing coffee before heading home? I could use a break from all these spreadsheets.”

Maddie looked up from her computer, slightly surprised. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy spending time with Ethan—it was just that, with everything happening in her personal life, she hadn’t thought to make any plans. Still, she welcomed the distraction.

“Sure, I could use a coffee,” she replied, grabbing her jacket.

The walk to the nearby café was filled with light chatter. Ethan talked about his latest project at work, and Maddie found herself smiling more than she had in days. It was refreshing to just talk—no pressure, no expectations, just two people passing the time.

As they sat down with their drinks, Maddie noticed how easy it was to talk to him. He had a way of listening intently, always asking just the right questions without prying too much.

It was clear he cared, but he never pushed for details. Maddie wasn’t ready to share.

“So, how’s it going with Mark?” Ethan asked casually, taking a sip of his coffee.

Maddie stiffened slightly at the mention of her boyfriend’s name. “It’s fine. He’s been busy with work, so it’s… it’s been a little quiet,” she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Quiet, huh? That doesn’t sound like you. You’re usually the one filling up the silence.”

Maddie chuckled, grateful for his easygoing nature. “Yeah, well, things have just been… different lately. "

Ethan smiled, but there was something in his expression that told her he wasn’t going to press her. “Well, if you ever need someone to talk to or just get away for a bit, you know where to find me.”

It was such a simple offer, yet it made Maddie feel a little less alone. She nodded, giving him a grateful smile. “Thanks, Ethan. I really appreciate it.”

As they walked back to the office, Maddie felt the familiar weight of her phone in her pocket.

She glanced at it briefly, seeing a short text from Mark: "Hope your day’s going well. Talk soon?"

She sighed, slipping the phone back into her pocket. For all the comfort Ethan had brought her, there was still something missing in her relationship with Mark.

The connection that had once seemed so effortless was now strained, and Maddie wasn’t sure how to fix it.

The office lights flickered out one by one as the end of the day approached. Maddie packed up her things and made her way to the subway station, her mind swirling with the weight of the day.

It had been a long one. Her new routine was taking shape, but a lingering emptiness she couldn’t quite shake followed her home.

Mark had been gone for almost two weeks now, traveling for business. She tried to focus on the positives—her new job was interesting, and she’d started to find a rhythm at work.

But every evening, the silence in her apartment reminded her of what was missing.

When she stepped inside, the quiet was deafening. Mark’s jacket hung over the back of the chair, his shoes neatly by the door, but he wasn’t there.

The absence of his presence was more profound than she’d expected. She set her bag down, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, and leaned against the counter.

Her phone buzzed, and she reached for it, her heart flickering with hope. But it wasn’t Mark—it was Ethan.

Ethan: How’s the night treating you?

A smile tugged at her lips. Ethan’s easygoing messages had become a comforting constant over the past few weeks. She quickly typed a response.

Maddie: Quiet. Mark’s still away for work, so it’s just me tonight.

A reply came almost instantly.

Ethan: Sounds like the perfect time to relax. What’s the plan?

She glanced at the fridge, debating whether to cook.

Maddie: Probably dinner and some mindless TV. What about you?

Ethan: Takeout. As usual. If you need recommendations, I’m your guy.

Maddie laughed, setting her phone down for a moment as she rummaged through the pantry. A few minutes later, she decided on a simple stir-fry. As the vegetables sizzled in the pan, her thoughts drifted.

She used to cook with Mark. Even when their schedules were hectic, they’d find time to share a meal and talk about their day.

But now, their conversations were shorter, their texts more distant. When was the last time he’d asked her how she was doing?

Her phone buzzed again.

Ethan: Did you pick cooking over my stellar takeout advice? Bold choice.

Maddie grinned.

Maddie: Homemade stir-fry. Not bad, if I say so myself.

Ethan: Impressive. You’re officially putting my frozen pizza to shame.

She chuckled, the lightness of their exchange lifting her spirits. Ethan had a way of making her feel heard, even through a screen. It wasn’t something she thought about often, but lately, it was becoming harder to ignore.

After dinner, Maddie settled onto the couch, an old sitcom playing in the background. Her phone buzzed again, and for a moment, she hesitated. Would it be Ethan or Mark?

It was Ethan.

Ethan: How’s the stir-fry holding up? Any leftovers for tomorrow?

Maddie: All gone. You’ll have to stick to your pizza.

The conversation flowed effortlessly. Ethan’s texts felt warm and genuine, a sharp contrast to the perfunctory tone Mark’s messages had taken on. Speaking of which, her phone buzzed again, and this time, it was Mark.

Mark: Hey. Hope you had a good day. Heading to bed now—call tomorrow?

Maddie stared at the screen, her chest tightening. It was a perfectly polite message, but it lacked any real connection. He didn’t ask about her day, didn’t share anything about his own.

Her reply felt just as detached.

Maddie: Sure. Have a good night.

As she placed her phone down, a wave of guilt swept over her. It wasn’t fair to compare Ethan to Mark. But with Ethan, things were so effortless. He cared about the little things, the way Mark used to.

She sighed, her thoughts swirling as she turned off the TV and headed to bed. The weight of the silence returned, heavier than before. And yet, as she drifted off to sleep, it wasn’t Mark she was thinking about.

It was Ethan—and the way he’d made her smile on an otherwise quiet night.