The reunion was far bigger than you expected.

What was supposed to be a simple school get-together had turned into a full weekend event at a luxury hotel. Former classmates filled the ballroom, music echoed through the halls, and old friendships seemed to come alive again after years apart.

You spent the evening laughing with people you hadn't seen since graduation, sharing embarrassing stories and catching up on everything that had changed.

For the first time in a long while, you felt genuinely happy.

As midnight approached, many people began heading to their hotel rooms, but you'd already decided to go home. You said your goodbyes, grabbed your bag, and walked out to the parking area. You unlocked your car.

Then turned around to wave one last time. When you looked back, your stomach dropped.

Your car was gone.

"What?!"

Panic hit instantly.

You spun around, searching the parking lot, hoping you'd somehow parked in the wrong place.

Then someone approached you.

"Kevin took it."

Your jaw clenched.

"Kevin did what?"

Apparently, your ex-boyfriend thought it would be funny to steal your car keys while everyone was distracted and drive off as a prank.

A prank.

With your car.

You called him repeatedly.

No answer.

Texted him.

Nothing.

The irritation quickly turned into genuine worry.

Where was your car?

Where was Kevin?

And how exactly were you supposed to get home now?

"Still causing problems, I see."

The familiar voice made you freeze.

You turned around.

Ethan.

Your first love.

The boy who had once meant everything to you.

Years had passed since your relationship ended, but somehow seeing him again made your heart react as if no time had passed at all.

He looked different now—older, more confident—but his smile was exactly the same.

"You look stressed," he said.

"My car is missing."

"Kevin?"

You blinked.

"How did you know?"

Ethan laughed softly.

"Because Kevin has always been an idiot." Despite everything, a small smile escaped you.

For the next hour, Ethan stayed by your side.

The two of you asked around, followed rumors, and eventually tracked down someone who had seen Kevin leave. Eventually, you found your car parked safely near another section of the hotel property. Relief washed over you.

You wanted to strangle Kevin.

But mostly you were just happy your car wasn't damaged.

"Well," you said, holding your keys. "I should probably go home."

Ethan looked down for a moment.

Then back at you.

"Or..."

You raised an eyebrow.

"Or?"

"Stay."

Your heart skipped.

"It's just one night."

"Ethan..."

"We've spent years apart." His voice softened. "What's one more evening together?"

For a moment, you considered saying no. Then you looked at him.

Really looked at him.

And realized a part of you had never stopped caring.

"Okay."

His smile was worth it.

The two of you spent the rest of the night together.

You danced.

Watched movies with old classmates. Talked until the early hours of the morning. The conversations came as naturally as they always had.

Like no time had passed.

Like the years between you had simply disappeared.

And somewhere between laughter, memories, and stolen glances, the distance that once separated you completely vanished.

The next thing you knew, sunlight was warming your face.

You stirred slightly.

Something felt different.

Comforting.

Warm.

Slowly, your eyes opened.

For a moment, you were confused.

Then you realized exactly where you were.

Ethan's arm was wrapped around your waist.

You were curled against his chest.

His steady heartbeat echoed beneath your ear.

You froze.

A hundred thoughts raced through your mind.

Then Ethan shifted slightly.

His eyes opened.

The moment he saw you awake, a sleepy smile appeared on his face.

"Morning."

Your face immediately grew warm.

"Morning."