Stages of The Heart- Ellie Morch

Chapter 15: A Lunch Date and New Plans

The day was bright and peaceful as Erica settled into a small café for a much-needed lunch date with Lana. This was their favorite spot in the city, a cozy corner with brick walls and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in the afternoon sun. They didn’t get to meet often these days, and Erica was glad to finally take a breather from her hectic schedule.

Lana arrived a few minutes later, her face lighting up the moment she saw Erica. “There she is—the woman of the hour!” she greeted, embracing her friend tightly. “I missed you.”

Erica laughed, happy to be with someone who’d known her through every stage of her life. “I missed you too, Lana. It feels like I barely have time to think lately, let alone catch up with my best friend.”

“Then today’s our day to unwind,” Lana declared, sliding into her seat. They ordered coffee and a few of their favorite dishes to share, and as they waited for their food, Erica felt herself relax. The buzz of fans and cameras seemed miles away here.

They chatted about everything—the latest fashion trends, Lana’s dating life, and a hilarious mishap Erica had had on set the previous week. But eventually, the conversation took a more serious turn as Lana leaned in and asked, “So, how’s everything going with the whole... ‘Erica Young rising star’ thing?”

Erica took a deep breath, her mind drifting to everything that had happened recently. “It’s surreal, honestly. And a lot more overwhelming than I expected. But Shawn… he’s been amazing.”

Lana’s eyebrows shot up. “The CEO? Shawn Mellows? Tell me everything.”

A faint blush colored Erica’s cheeks. “He was the one who really stood by me when things got tough. He didn’t just help me manage the media chaos; he was there, making sure I had everything I needed to get through it all. And it’s not like he had to go out of his way like that.”

Lana gave her a mischievous smile. “It sounds like he might care about you a bit more than just as a colleague.”

Erica shook her head, trying to downplay it. “No, I mean… he’s just a good person. And he believes in doing the right thing. I think he just saw someone in need and wanted to help.”

“Maybe,” Lana replied, still smiling knowingly. “But it sounds like you two have something special, even if it’s just a great working relationship. I think you should do something for him.”

Erica looked at her, puzzled. “Do something for him?”

“Yeah, repay the kindness, show him that you appreciate everything he’s done. It doesn’t have to be a big deal; just a little gesture.”

Erica thought about it, tapping her finger thoughtfully against her coffee cup. “I suppose you’re right. But what could I do? I feel like he’s the one who’s always in control, always on top of everything. It’s hard to imagine what I could offer him in return.”

“Start simple,” Lana suggested. “Maybe just find out what he likes. Do a little recon, you know? See what might make him smile. Then, you can do something thoughtful—something that shows you’ve noticed who he is beyond the CEO.”

Erica smiled, realizing Lana was onto something. “Alright, maybe I’ll start with just a friendly text tonight. See what he’s into.”

Lana grinned, clearly pleased with the plan. “Perfect. But remember, it’s not just about repaying him. If you care about him, it’s okay to show it. Don’t overthink it.”

That night, Erica found herself staring at her phone, scrolling through the brief texts she’d exchanged with Shawn over the past few months. Most of them were work-related or simple, supportive messages he’d sent during the height of her media ordeal. She realized she’d never really taken the time to talk to him about anything personal. It was strange, given everything they’d shared recently.