Chapter 5 A Step Closer

The week dragged on in a haze of unfinished projects and restless nights for Ivy. No matter how much she tried to focus, her thoughts kept circling back to Ethan. He lingered like a shadow in her mind, a quiet presence she couldn't seem to shake. She hated that he'd unsettled her so thoroughly.

The problem wasn't just him; it was her. She wasn't used to letting people in, wasn't used to someone genuinely seeing her. Ethan had gotten closer in a few days than most people did in months, and that scared her. She had always found safety in distance, but with Ethan, distance felt suffocating.

By Thursday evening, Ivy was at her wit's end. She grabbed her camera and set out for the riverbank, hoping the crisp evening air and the steady rhythm of the city would clear her head.

---

The river was her refuge, a place where time seemed to slow and the weight of the world lifted, if only for a moment. Ivy had discovered it years ago, during a particularly difficult time in her life. Since then, it had become a sanctuary, a space where she could breathe and lose herself in the beauty of the world around her.

Tonight, the river was as breathtaking as ever. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of gold and pink, its reflection shimmering on the water's surface. Ivy lifted her camera, framing the scene with practiced ease. Through the lens, the world seemed simpler, more manageable.

She was so absorbed in her work that she didn't hear him approach.

"You have a talent for finding the perfect light," Ethan said, his voice warm and familiar.

Ivy jumped, spinning around to face him. "Do you make a habit of sneaking up on people?"

Ethan smiled, unfazed. "Only on people I want to see."

Her heart gave an unwelcome flutter, but she masked it with a frown. "How did you know I'd be here?"

"I have my ways," he said, his tone teasing. Then, more seriously, he added, "Olivia might've mentioned this was your spot. I hope you don't mind."

Of course, it was Olivia. Ivy made a mental note to scold her later. "I don't need a babysitter, you know."

Ethan raised his hands in mock surrender. "Noted. But I'm not here to babysit you. I'm here because I wanted to see you."

His honesty caught her off guard. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came.

"Ivy," Ethan said, his voice softer now, "I'm not trying to push you. I just... I want to get to know you. That's all."

There it was again-that sincerity that made her chest tighten. She didn't know what to do with it, how to respond to someone who wasn't playing games or hiding behind pretense.

"I don't know if I can give you what you're looking for," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan's gaze didn't waver. "I'm not asking for anything you're not ready to give. All I'm asking is for a chance."

Ivy looked away, her eyes drifting back to the river. The sun was almost gone now, the sky fading into twilight.

"Think about it," Ethan said, stepping back. "That's all I'm asking."

And with that, he walked away, leaving her alone with her thoughts and the quiet murmur of the river.

---

The next few days passed in a blur. Ivy threw herself into her work, hoping to drown out the whirlwind of emotions Ethan had stirred in her. She spent hours editing photos, tweaking colors and compositions until her eyes ached. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't escape him.

His words replayed in her mind on an endless loop. I'm not asking for anything you're not ready to give. All I'm asking is for a chance.

Why couldn't she just let it go? Why couldn't she stop thinking about him, wondering what might happen if she let her walls down just this once?

The truth was, she was scared-scared of opening herself up, of letting someone in and getting hurt again. She'd been down that road before, and it had nearly broken her.

But Ethan wasn't like anyone she'd met before. He didn't just see her; he saw through her, past the defenses she'd spent years building. And for reasons she couldn't quite explain, she didn't hate it.

---

By Saturday morning, Ivy knew she couldn't keep avoiding him. She needed clarity, one way or another.

She found herself at a small café near the park, clutching her coffee cup like a lifeline. Ethan was already there, sitting by the window with a book in hand. When he looked up and saw her, his expression shifted from surprise to something warmer.

"I wasn't sure I'd see you again," he said as she slid into the seat across from him.

"I wasn't sure I'd come," Ivy admitted.

Ethan set the book aside, his attention fully on her. "What changed your mind?"

Ivy hesitated, searching for the right words. "I've been thinking... about what you said. About giving this-us-a chance."

"And?"

"I don't know," she said honestly. "But I think I want to try."

Ethan's face softened, and for the first time in days, Ivy felt a weight lift from her chest.

"You don't have to have all the answers right now," he said gently. "We'll figure it out together."

His words were a promise, one that felt both terrifying and exhilarating.

For the first time in a long time, Ivy allowed herself to hope.