"Sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people." - Elizabeth Green

  Katerina

  The neon sign of Gumdrop pulsed with a sugary pink glow, casting a hazy light over the crowded bar. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of candied fruit and the buzz of lively conversation. Phoebe and I had snagged our usual booth in the back, a cozy alcove bathed in the soft, multicolored lights that were Gumdrop’s signature.

  “Another ‘Cotton Candy Cloud,’ please!” Phoebe chirped to the bartender, her bright pink hair bouncing as she waved her empty glass. “And make it extra fluffy!”

  I chuckled, taking a sip of my own drink, the ‘Berry Bliss,’ a concoction of crushed berries and something vaguely floral. Gumdrop was our escape, a place where we could indulge our sweet tooth and let our hair down after a long day. Tonight, I needed the sugary distraction more than usual.

  “So,” Phoebe said, leaning forward, her eyes sparkling with a knowing glint. “Tell me everything. About my brother.”

  I groaned, rolling my eyes. “There’s nothing to tell. We’re just meeting up.”

  “Meeting up?” Phoebe raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “After the way he looked at you at the party? Please. Even *I* could feel the sparks, and I’m related to him! And don’t forget the club.”

  “Oh my gosh, the club,” I said, and a small smile appeared, "He was so... different. Relaxed. Fun. It was a nice change of pace."

  "See!" Phoebe said, "He likes you."

  I blushed, taking another sip of my drink. “He’s… interesting,” I admitted. “And surprisingly down-to-earth, considering his position.”

  “Down-to-earth?” Phoebe smirked. “He’s a Maxwell, Katerina. He runs a global empire. But, I will admit, he's always been more grounded than most in our family.”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  I laughed, shaking my head. “He’s not like what I expected. He’s… genuine.”

  “Genuine and… well, I suppose you find him gorgeous,” Phoebe said, wiggling her eyebrows. “Don’t worry, I’ve seen the way you look at him.”

  “He’s… attractive,” I conceded, a flicker of heat rising in my cheeks.

  “Attractive?” Phoebe exclaimed, throwing her hands up in mock exasperation. “Katerina, you’re hopeless! He’s Ethan! My brother! And even I can see he is trying very hard to impress you. The club, the way he looks at you!"

  I laughed, swatting her arm playfully. “You’re biased.”

  “I’m realistic,” Phoebe retorted, taking a large gulp of her drink. “And I’m telling you, you need to stop overthinking this. Just go meet up with him and see what happens. He’s a good guy, despite his… Maxwellness.”

  “It’s just a meet-up,” I repeated, but even as I said the words, I knew I was lying to myself. There was something about Ethan that intrigued me, something that made me want to know more. And the text he sent me earlier…

  I pulled out my phone, rereading his simple message. *“I did, thank you.”* It was nothing special, just a polite response. But it was enough to make my heart flutter.

  “See?” Phoebe said, peering over my shoulder. “He’s texting you. He’s into you. And you know him through me, so that is a plus.”

  “It’s just a reply to my text,” I said, but my voice lacked conviction.

  “A reply that took him all of five seconds to write,” Phoebe countered. “Trust me, Katerina. He’s interested. And he's my brother, I know him.”

  I sighed, putting my phone away. “Maybe,” I said, a small smile playing on my lips. “Or maybe I’m just reading too much into things.”

  “Or maybe,” Phoebe said, raising her glass in a toast, “you’re finally going to let yourself have a little fun… with my brother.”

  I clinked my glass against hers, a nervous flutter in my stomach. “To fun,” I echoed, taking another sip of my drink. The sugary sweetness usually calmed my nerves, but tonight, it only amplified the anticipation swirling within me.

  The conversation drifted to other topics – Phoebe’s latest art project, a hilarious mishap at her yoga class, and the latest gossip from our favorite bookstore. But even as I laughed and chatted, my mind kept returning to Ethan. The meetup. It was just a meet-up, I reminded myself, but the thought brought a warmth to my cheeks that had nothing to do with the sugary cocktails.

  As the night wore on, and the crowd at Gumdrop began to thin, Phoebe and I decided to call it a night. We stepped out into the cool night air, the neon glow of the bar fading behind us.

  “So,” Phoebe said, linking her arm through mine as we walked towards our cars. “Are you excited?”

  “A little,” I admitted, a nervous laugh escaping my lips. “Mostly nervous, I think.”

  “Don’t be,” Phoebe said, giving my arm a reassuring squeeze. “He’s just Ethan. And he really likes you.”

  I smiled, shaking my head. “You’re incorrigible.”

  “And you’re adorable when you’re flustered,” Phoebe retorted, giving me a playful nudge. “Just be yourself, Katerina. That’s all he wants.”

  We reached my car, and I turned to face her. “Thanks, Phoebe,” I said, a genuine smile spreading across my face. “For everything.”

  “Anytime,” she replied, giving me a quick hug. “Now go home and get some beauty sleep. You’ve got a thing with a CEO.”

  I laughed, shaking my head as I climbed into my car. As I drove home, the city lights blurring into a colorful stream, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. I was genuinely looking forward to what the future held.