Not Goodbye Morning sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Ethan Hawthorne’s office.
Ethan stood by the window with his phone pressed against his ear, listening patiently.
Or rather…
Enduring.
“I’m disappointed in you.” His father’s voice echoed through the receiver.
“You left one of the most important networking events of the year before it was over.” “I know.” “You know?” “You didn’t even meet half of the new investors.” “They specifically wanted to speak with you.” Ethan sighed quietly.
“They’re important to the future of Hawthorne Hospitality.” “I understand that.” “No, Ethan, you don’t.” His father rarely raised his voice.
But when he did, it carried enough authority to silence an entire boardroom.
“You’ve always understood responsibility.” “So why yesterday?” Ethan leaned against the window.
“I’ll arrange private meetings with every one of them.” His father was silent.
“I’ll meet them individually this week.” “It’ll be more productive than trying to speak with them in a crowded ballroom.” Another pause.
Then a tired sigh came through the phone.
“You’ve always had an answer.” “It’s my job.” His father chuckled softly despite himself.
“Just don’t make a habit of disappearing.” “I won’t.” The call ended.
Almost immediately, another sound caught Ethan’s attention.
A gentle knock.
“Come in.” The office door opened.
Ava stepped inside carrying several files.
She had chosen a simple cream-colored blouse paired with a navy pencil skirt.
Professional.
Elegant.
Beautiful.
“Good morning, Mr.
Hawthorne.” She placed the files neatly on his desk.
Ethan smiled.
“Good morning, Ava.” She smiled back.
But…
Something felt different.
The smile looked forced.
Almost rehearsed.
He watched her walk toward the sofa where she normally handled paperwork.
She sat down and immediately buried herself in documents.
Too quickly.
Too deliberately.
Ethan frowned.
Something was wrong.
Without another word, he walked over and sat beside her.
Ava looked up.
“…Yes?” Instead of answering, Ethan reached for her hand.
Almost instinctively…
She pulled it away.
His brows lifted.
“…Ava?” She looked down at the papers.
“I need to finish these.” “You’ve been avoiding me since you walked in.” “No.” “You have.” She sighed.
“Ethan…” He gently reached for her hand again.
This time, instead of letting her retreat farther away, he lightly held it between his own.
“Ava.” She finally looked at him.
Her eyes weren’t angry.
They were frightened.
“We should forget last night.” The words landed harder than Ethan expected.
“…Forget?” “It shouldn’t have happened.” His expression softened.
“It wasn’t a mistake.” “It was.” “No.” She slowly shook her head.
“You were tired.” “You’d had a drink.” “You were emotional.” “I wasn’t.” His voice remained calm.
“I knew exactly what I was saying.” “And I still mean every word.” Silence filled the office.
“I like you, Ava.” “No…” “I do.” “I want to know you.” “I want to spend my mornings with you.” “I want to see where this can go.” Ava lowered her gaze.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
“You shouldn’t.” “Why?” She laughed bitterly.
“Because people leave.” The room became very quiet.
“My mother left.” “My father…” She paused.
“He tried.” “But he wasn’t there.” “I grew up learning not to expect people to stay.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“So if I never let myself love anyone…” “…they can never leave me.” Ethan’s heart ached.
She wasn’t rejecting him.
She was protecting herself.
Ava slowly withdrew her hand.
“I don’t love you.” The words sounded almost practiced.
“As for last night…” She swallowed.
“I let my emotions get the better of me.” “It can’t happen again.” “Our worlds are completely different.” She looked around the luxurious office.
“You’re Ethan Hawthorne.” “I’m just Ava Carter.” “I don’t want to spend my life wondering whether I belong beside someone like you.” “I don’t want to lose myself trying to fit into your world.” Ethan listened quietly.
When she finished…
He smiled.
Not because he found her fears amusing.
But because he understood them.
“I respect what you’re feeling.” Ava looked surprised.
“I won’t force you.” “I won’t pressure you.” He gently stood.
Then looked down at her.
“But I’m also not giving up.” She blinked.
“What?” “You said I should forget.” “I can’t.” “You said our worlds are different.” “They are.” “But I’ll gladly cross into yours.” Ava’s heartbeat quickened.
“I’m serious.” “I’m going to keep showing you exactly how I feel.” “Until one day…” “You believe me.” He leaned down.
Before Ava could react…
He placed a soft kiss against her cheek.
Then calmly returned to his desk.
“As for now…” He opened another file.
“We should probably finish today’s work.” Ava remained frozen on the sofa.
Her cheeks slowly turned bright pink.
“…” Did…
Did he just kiss her?
And continue working like nothing had happened?
She stared at the back of his head in complete disbelief.
“…Unbelievable.” A small smile threatened to appear on her lips.
She quickly looked back down at her paperwork before he noticed.
— That evening…
“I need a drink.” Mia looked up from the couch.
“…That bad?” “Worse.” Twenty minutes later, the two women were seated inside a cozy restaurant illuminated by warm golden lights.
A waiter placed two plates of food and a pair of drinks on the table.
Mia leaned forward eagerly.
“So…” “What happened?” Ava sighed.
Then…
She told her everything.
From the conversation in Ethan’s office…
To his confession…
To the kiss on her cheek.
Mia’s smile grew wider with every sentence.
“Oh…” “My…” “Goodness.” Ava groaned.
“Stop smiling.” “I can’t!” “Mia.” “He’s completely in love with you!” “He’ll get over it.” “No, he won’t.” “He will.” “He absolutely won’t.” Ava took another sip of her drink.
“You’re impossible.” Mia giggled.
“I honestly can’t wait.” “For what?” “To watch Ethan Hawthorne completely steal your heart.” Ava snorted.
“That will never happen.” Mia lifted her glass.
“We’ll see.” They clinked their glasses together.
After a comfortable silence, Mia spoke again.
“…Actually…” Ava looked up.
“I think Lucas likes me.” Ava blinked.
“What?” Mia scratched the back of her neck awkwardly.
“After the party…” “When I took him back to his room…” “He told me I was beautiful.” Ava smiled knowingly.
“And?” “He said he wanted me to be his girlfriend.” The smile disappeared from Ava’s face.
“…What?” Mia nodded slowly.
“And…” She looked away.
“I remembered something.” Ava waited.
“I didn’t remember it before…” “But after seeing him every day…” “It came back.” Ava frowned.
“What came back?” Mia took a deep breath.
“…Lucas and I…” “…spent a night together.” Silence.
Complete silence.
Ava stared at her.
Her fork remained suspended in the air.
“…” “…WHAT?!” Several diners turned to look at their table.
Neither of them noticed.
Because Ava Carter had just learned something she never thought she’d hear.
And suddenly…
Her own complicated love life didn’t seem quite so unbelievable anymore.