Lena regretted agreeing to the project the moment she saw Ethan's name beside hers on the assignment sheet.
Of all the people…
They sat across from each other in the conference room, papers neatly arranged, both pretending this was just work.
"We'll divide the tasks," Ethan said, professional, composed. "I'll handle the external reports. You can manage the internal review."
"That works," Lena replied.
Efficient.
Polite.
Distant.
Too distant.
As the hours passed, the quiet between them shifted. It wasn't uncomfortable—it was heavy, charged with things neither dared to say.
"You've changed," Ethan said suddenly, eyes still on his laptop.
"So have you," Lena answered.
He looked up then.
"I had to."
The words lingered.
During a short break, Lena stepped out onto the balcony for air. The city stretched below her, unfamiliar yet suffocatingly close.
She didn't hear Ethan approach until his voice sounded behind her.
"You didn't tell me you were coming back," he said.
"I didn't know I would," she replied honestly.
He leaned against the railing, careful to keep distance.
"We should set boundaries," Ethan said. "This… whatever this is—it can't interfere with work."
Lena nodded, though her chest tightened.
"I agree."
A pause.
"Friends?" he offered.
She turned to him, searching his face.
"Friends," she echoed.
But both of them knew—
some boundaries were made to be tested.
As they returned inside, Lena felt it clearly for the first time.
Love wasn't knocking.
It was waiting.