By the time 7PM rolled around, the office was practically throwing a party.
Word spread faster than wildfire: Lawson was out.
Official. Final. Beautiful.
Gwen had already snagged a reservation at a trendy bar downtown, dragging half the department with her. Aria tried to beg off, claiming exhaustion, but Ethan wasn't having it.
"You're coming," he said, grabbing her wrist as she made a weak attempt at escaping to the elevators.
"We saved this company's reputation. You owe me at least one celebratory drink."
"Fine," she groaned. "One."
"Three."
"One and a half."
"Deal."
By the time they arrived, the place was packed, neon signs buzzing overhead, music thumping low through the floors. The entire marketing department had claimed a back corner, pitchers of cocktails already on the table.
Cheers erupted when they walked in together.
People clapped. Someone whistled.
Aria's face flushed hot.
"Looks like we're the power couple of the hour," Ethan teased, leaning down so only she could hear.
"Shut up before I dump this mojito in your lap."
But she was grinning.
They drank. They laughed. Gwen made an embarrassing toast about "office enemies turned forbidden lovers" that had both Aria and Ethan threatening her life. Jason from finance finally paid up on the bet with a dramatic, "Well, I'll be damned," before buying everyone a round.
And somewhere between her second and third drink — okay, maybe fourth — Aria ended up sitting outside on the rooftop patio, head tilted back, staring at the city lights.
Ethan found her like that.
"You hiding?" he asked, dropping down beside her.
"Just… needed a minute. It's a lot."
"Yeah," he agreed softly. "Good lot though."
She hummed.
Neither of them spoke for a moment.
Then — because apparently booze made her reckless — Aria said, "You know, I always hated how easy you made things look."
Ethan glanced over. "What do you mean?"
"You. Confident, charming, infuriatingly good at everything. I thought if I hated you enough, it'd stop me from wanting to be around you."
His brows lifted, a half-smile playing at his lips. "And did it work?"
"Clearly not," she muttered, fiddling with her glass.
He chuckled, then reached over, brushing her hair from her face.
"I've never liked anyone who made me as insane as you do," he admitted. "No one's ever challenged me like you."
She smirked. "You mean because I call you on your bullshit?"
"Exactly. And because even when I hated you, I… didn't."
The air between them shifted.
Less teasing, more something else.
Then — Ethan cleared his throat.
"Told myself I wouldn't do this drunk but screw it."
He pulled a small, silver keychain from his pocket and set it on the table between them.
A tiny charm shaped like a coffee cup.
Aria blinked. "What's this?"
"Found it at that market last week. Made me think of you. Thought… maybe we keep collecting stupid little things like this. Together."
Her heart stuttered.
"Is that a proposal?" she teased, voice soft.
"Not for marriage," Ethan said, nudging it toward her. "For… us. Real us. No fake dates. No war. No pretending."
Aria's fingers closed around the charm.
And for once, she didn't have a sarcastic comeback.
"Okay," she said quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
And then — because some things were just inevitable — she kissed him.
Right there under the flickering patio lights, with the city humming around them.
It was messy, and a little tipsy, and absolutely perfect.....