Their friendship grew slowly.
Coffee breaks.
Walks home.
Playful arguments.
One evening Noah said,
"There's a new restaurant opening Friday."
Ava raised an eyebrow.
"Is this a date?"
He hesitated.
"…Maybe."
She smiled.
"I'll think about it."
But that same week Ava received a call.
A publishing internship.
In another city.
Six months.
Her dream opportunity.
Suddenly everything felt complicated.