Crossing the Line

The next few days were filled with more retreat planning. Ava and Ethan’s relationship had settled into an odd rhythm—still full of bickering, but it was more playful now, less combative. The rest of the office seemed to take notice too, which only fueled the teasing.

“Are you two going to sit next to each other at the retreat?” Sarah asked with a grin one afternoon as she passed their desks. “You know, just like a real married couple?”

Ava groaned. “Not you too, Sarah. Can’t we just plan this thing in peace?”

Sarah winked. “I’m just saying—if you’re going to spend all your time together planning, might as well make it official.”

Ethan didn’t look up from his computer, but Ava caught the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth. She wasn’t sure if he found the teasing amusing or annoying—or maybe a bit of both.

“Anyway, I’m heading out for lunch. You two lovebirds need anything?” Sarah’s teasing lingered as she sauntered off, leaving Ava fuming.

“Lovebirds,” Ava muttered under her breath. “I swear, one more person calls us that, and I’m quitting.”

“Seconded,” Ethan replied dryly, flipping through the retreat itinerary without looking up.

---

By the time Friday rolled around, they were knee-deep in retreat logistics. Ethan had already booked the venue, a resort on the coast that had a good mix of team-building activities and, as Ava insisted, plenty of downtime for relaxation.

But there was one thing left to finalize: the team-building exercises.

“I’m telling you, no one is going to want to do a scavenger hunt,” Ava said, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. “It’s going to feel like we’re back in high school.”

Ethan, seated across from her, was not impressed. “The whole point is to get people to work together. And a scavenger hunt does that.”

Ava sighed. “Sure, but people also want to relax. What about a trivia night or something a little more fun? You know, to loosen everyone up.”

“Trivia? Really?” Ethan gave her a skeptical look. “You think that’s going to make people ‘work together’?”

Ava smirked. “Better than forcing them to run around looking for clues.”

“Fine,” Ethan said after a long pause, his eyes narrowing as if conceding hurt him physically. “We can do both. But the scavenger hunt stays.”

Ava grinned triumphantly. “Deal.”

---

That evening, as they stayed late to finalize more details, the office grew quiet, with only a few employees left. Ava was sorting through the last of the materials for the retreat when Ethan, who had been quietly typing away at his computer, spoke up.

“So,” he began, his voice almost casual, though Ava could hear something more behind it. “What’s your type?”

Ava blinked, caught off guard. “My type?”

“Yeah,” Ethan clarified, leaning back in his chair, his eyes still focused on his screen. “You know, the kind of person you’re into. Or… the kind of relationship you’re looking for.”

Ava snorted. “Oh, we’re going there now? Deep questions for a Friday night.”

Ethan smirked. “We’re working late. Might as well make it interesting.”

Ava leaned back, crossing her arms and thinking for a moment. “Well, if you must know, I’m looking for adventure first, romance later. I want to travel the world, see new places, meet new people, then maybe… I don’t know, settle down in about five years, once I’ve turned thirty.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow, finally looking up from his laptop. “Five years? You’ve got it all planned out, don’t you?”

“Yup,” Ava said with a grin. “No point in rushing into anything. I’ve got places to see! I’m not ready to be tied down just yet.”

Ethan shook his head, chuckling softly. “And here I thought you were a planner.”

“I am a planner,” Ava replied with a shrug. “I just plan on having fun before I settle down.”

Ethan leaned back, his expression thoughtful. “And what does ‘settling down’ look like in Ava’s five-year plan?”

Ava waved her hand airily. “You know, the usual. Find someone who doesn’t drive me crazy, buy a cute little house, maybe get a dog. No kids right away, though—those come later, after I’ve had enough time to regret traveling.”

Ethan let out a laugh, surprising her. “That’s… specific.”

“Hey, I’m nothing if not detailed,” she shot back. “What about you, Mr. By-the-Book? What’s your big life plan?”

Ethan’s smile faded a little, and he glanced down at his desk, his fingers tapping the edge. “Honestly? I’m looking to settle down now. Start a family, find some stability. I’ve been focused on work for too long. It’d be nice to have something more… personal.”

Ava raised an eyebrow. “You? Mr. ‘Work Comes First’ wants a family?”

Ethan gave her a wry smile. “Yeah, shocking, right?”

Ava smirked, but there was a soft curiosity behind it. “So what’s your type, then? Someone who loves spreadsheets and scavenger hunts as much as you?”

Ethan chuckled. “I’m not that boring. I just want someone who’s… grounded. Someone I can trust and build something real with.”

Ava tilted her head, intrigued. “And you think you’re ready for all that? The house, the kids, the whole package?”

Ethan shrugged. “Why not? I’ve got the job stability, the house. It’s just… everything else that’s missing.”

Ava snorted. “Everything else, huh? No pressure.”

“None at all,” Ethan replied with a grin. “So, if you’re not ready to settle down for another five years, I guess you’re off the market for now?”

Ava rolled her eyes. “That’s right. No settling down for me. I’ve got an entire world to see, Ethan. I’ll let you know when I’m done.”

Ethan’s smile lingered, but there was something almost wistful behind it. “Fair enough.”

Ava shot him a playful glance. “So, what, you’re just going to sit here and wait for Ms. Right to walk into your office?”

Ethan shrugged. “She’s bound to show up eventually. Maybe she’s already here.”

Ava blinked at him, her teasing smile faltering just a bit. For a moment, the air between them shifted, something unspoken hanging in the balance. But before Ava could say anything, Ethan turned back to his computer, his expression once again focused.

“Anyway, back to the retreat planning,” he said, his voice casual once more. “We still need to finalize the schedule.”

Ava shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, sure. Let’s get back to that.”

But as they worked late into the night, Ava couldn’t help but replay the conversation in her mind. Ethan wanting to settle down? Wanting a family? It was a side of him she hadn’t expected, and she found herself wondering if maybe—just maybe—there was more to him than she had given him credit for.

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