Hidden Secrets

sual routine when her phone rings. She sees

ey, Ryan. What's up”? There's a pa

s, “Hey, Ava. I know it's been a while. I real

he urgency in Ryan's voice. But she was

t the phone call later, after she knew m

ir and makeup, and chooses a cute p

d a casual but cute outfit

, she can't help but wonder w

y, she's also thinking ab

finally settles on a cozy little café that she

s a cool breeze in the air as

d she feels a bit nervous a

e's thinking about all the possibl

d some exciting news to share. She's trying not to

locks away now, and she

e sees a familiar face sitting

ere with a cup of coffee a

e looks up from his book and smiles. “Hey, Ava. I

” Ava feels a flut

What's up? You sounded as if you had someth

offee and says, “Well, it

on with you that I've never felt with anyone else. I know it might sound crazy, but I think

oks at Ava expectantly, w

just heard. She's not sure

aks. “Ryan, I___”. And then she tra

I think we have a special connection. I also want you to know that I care about you, and I'm delighted we've b

ocess what she's said, and then he smiles and says, “Wow. That's a

s back at her and says, “That's wonderful. I

her with a hopeful ex

ilence between them, and th

e silence by saying, “This is crazy. I never t

n looks at her and says, “I know, right? Bu

do now? I mean, now that

says, “Well, I'm not certain. I guess we coul

“That sounds like a good idea. I'm just not sure if

t think it'll be odd. I think it'll

know, I think you're right. Ho

t is” Ryan no

ou want to get another coffee? Or

t's such a nice day out, and it wo

gether, side-by-side. They're walking slow

g, Ava notices that Ryan i

kay?”. And Ryan replies, “Yeah, everything's fine. I'

ad we're talking about it now. It's important

er and says, “Absolutely

__ how long have you felt t

d says, “Well__ for a while now.

” Ava asks s

cause I have seen you a couple of times.

s, “You don't have to apologize.

bit relieved, and

en he says, “I would love you to be my girlfriend.

but then she's interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing! She

oss on the other end. “Ava, I have some urg

come to the off

sks, a bit worried. “I can'

le,” her boss replies. Ava hangs

go.”, she says with a disa

es. “Can we reschedule our conversatio

, and says, “Absolutely

, feeling a mixture of emotions. Worry about what her boss wants to