ethan

You and Ethan had worked together for almost a year. You argued over spreadsheets. You stole each other’s coffee. He’d steal your pens. You’d steal his charger. Everyone in the office assumed you couldn’t stand each other. Neither of you corrected them. ⸻ One Friday morning, your boss walked over holding two plane tickets. “Good news. You two are going to Chicago for the client meeting.” You looked at Ethan. He looked back. “…Great,” you both said at the exact same time. ⸻ Hours later, after the flight, you checked into the hotel. The receptionist typed for a second before smiling. “I’m so sorry… it looks like we accidentally booked one room.” You and Ethan froze. “…One room?” you asked. She nodded. “Unfortunately every other room is sold out because of a convention.” You slowly turned toward Ethan. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “…We’ll manage.” ⸻ The room wasn’t tiny. But it only had one king-sized bed. You dropped your suitcase. “No.” Ethan looked at the bed. “…I can sleep on the couch.” “There isn’t a couch.” “…” “…” He looked around again. “…Floor it is.” You couldn’t help laughing. For the first time all day, the corner of his mouth twitched into the smallest smile. “…Don’t get used to that,” he muttered. You grinned. “Too late.” That night, after room service and hours of bickering over whose turn it was to shower first, the room finally went quiet.You were kneeling on the bed, trying to unzip your suitcase.The zipper caught.“Seriously?” You pulled harder. Nothing., Without a word, Ethan walked over and stopped behind you. “…Move.” “I’m trying.” “I can see that.” You rolled your eyes but shifted slightly as he reached past you toward the stubborn zipper, close enough that you could feel him trying not to laugh. “…You somehow managed to break a suitcase in under ten minutes.” “Oh, be quiet.” He smirked. “…Make me ethan, yearns, needy