Ladies Man

Heart at War

Friday evenings at Emers Bar were a ritual for us. After a long week of work, it was where we unwound, laughing over drinks and sharing stories from the week. This Friday was no different, except for the anticipation that had been building inside me all week. Ethan had hinted at something new, and I was eager to find out what it was.

When I arrived at the bar, I spotted Ethan immediately. He was already at our usual table, a comfortable booth in the back that offered a bit of privacy amidst the lively atmosphere. The soft light cast a warm glow on his features, and as always, he looked effortlessly at ease.

"Hey, you're on time," Ethan said, looking up from his drink with that signature smile of his. It was the kind of smile that made everything else fade into the background, pulling everyone into his orbit.

"Wouldn't miss it," I replied, sliding into the booth across from him. "So, what's this exciting news you've been teasing all week?"

Ethan's eyes twinkled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. He took a sip of his drink, then set it down with a determined look. "I met someone."

My heart skipped a beat, but I forced myself to smile. "That's great! Tell me everything."

He chuckled, obviously pleased with my reaction. "Her name is Emma. We met at one of the charity events last week. She's amazing—different from anyone I've ever met."

I leaned forward, genuinely interested despite the pang of jealousy I felt. "Different how?"

Ethan's face lit up as he spoke about her, and I could see how much she meant to him. "She's incredibly genuine. She's not impressed by the usual things people are. She just... gets me, you know? We talked for hours about everything and nothing, and it felt so natural."

I nodded, encouraging him to continue. "That sounds really special. It's nice to hear you've found someone who makes you feel that way."

Inside, my heart was a tumult of emotions. I wanted to be happy for him, to celebrate this new chapter in his life. But at the same time, the thought of him falling for someone else was almost too painful to bear. I forced myself to focus on his happiness, pushing my own feelings aside.

"I think she could be the one," Ethan said, a note of certainty in his voice.

*The one.* The words struck a chord deep within me. I had always hoped to be that person for him, but hearing it now, so casually, was a stark reminder of how things had turned out.

"That's wonderful, Ethan," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "I'm really glad you've found someone who makes you feel this way."

He looked at me, a touch of curiosity in his eyes. "You don't seem surprised. I thought you'd be more... I don't know, shocked?"

I shook my head, forcing a reassuring smile. "Not at all. You deserve to be happy, and if Emma makes you happy, then that's all that matters."

We spent the next few hours talking about Emma, Ethan's excitement palpable as he described their dates and the little things that made him smile. I listened, my heart aching with every detail, but I did my best to be supportive, to keep the focus on him.

As the night wore on and the bar filled with more patrons, I realized just how much I had been holding back. Ethan was my best friend, someone I cared deeply about, and seeing him with someone else was a challenge I hadn't fully prepared for. Yet, through it all, I maintained a brave face, cheering him on even as my own heart ached in quiet solitude.

When the evening came to an end and we parted ways, I hugged Ethan goodbye, offering one last smile. "Have a great weekend. I'm looking forward to hearing more about Emma next week."

"You got it," he said, returning the hug warmly. "Thanks for being so supportive."

As I walked away from Emers Bar, I took a deep breath, letting the cool night air calm my racing heart. I had managed to hide my jealousy, to support Ethan as he embarked on this new relationship. But inside, I knew that my feelings for him weren't something I could easily set aside.