Chapter 2 •Settling In•

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.

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