7| The Awkward First Meeting

Sophie stood outside the café on Fifth Avenue, her heart pounding with nervous anticipation. She took a deep breath before stepping inside, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee hitting her instantly, grounding her for just a moment.

She smoothed down her blue dress, hoping it made her look more confident than she felt. Her green eyes scanned the room, trying to appear casual, though her pulse raced in her ears. The café wasn't overly crowded, but none of that mattered when her gaze landed on him.

Ethan Sinclair.

It was impossible not to notice him. He looked completely out of place in the cozy café, like he belonged in a boardroom or on the cover of a magazine. He was seated at a corner table, relaxed yet commanding, and everything in her felt pulled toward him.

As if sensing her gaze, his eyes lifted, locking onto hers.

The moment their eyes met, something shifted. She couldn't explain the feeling that surged through her—a mix of familiarity, excitement, and an ache she couldn't quite place. Taking another deep breath, she willed herself to be strong. She wasn't that shy, awkward girl from high school anymore. She had to remember why she was here.

This is just a meeting. Nothing more.

With that, she approached, her heart pounding louder with every step, his piercing blue eyes following her the whole way.

Once again, she was struck by how little he had changed since high school. He still had that same intense, brooding demeanor, his dark hair neatly styled, and his tailored suit perfectly accentuating his strong, athletic build. Yet, there was something different about him now—an air of maturity and authority that hadn't been there before.

He looked even more handsome than she remembered, the sharp lines of his jaw and the depth of his gaze drawing her in. He was older now, and so was she.

"Sophie," Ethan greeted, standing up to shake her hand.

So that's what her name sounded like when he said it. She'd almost forgotten.

His grip was firm, his touch sending an unexpected jolt through her. "It's good to see you."

Get yourself together, Sophie.

"Ethan," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady as she shook his hand back. "It's good to see you too."

They sat down, the initial awkwardness hanging heavily between them. Sophie glanced around the café, trying to gather her thoughts—or maybe just to stop herself from ogling the ridiculously handsome man in front of her.

But she had to remind herself why she was here. This wasn't a date, this wasn't some reunion.

Ethan broke the silence first. "I didn't think we'd meet under these circumstances," he said, his voice steady and controlled. "But it's best we discuss the terms of our marriage in person. To know what we're both getting into."

There it was—his classic coldness. For once, she was oddly grateful for it. It made it easier to remind herself that this wasn't about love or romance. It was business. An arrangement.

But it still didn't feel good.

When she was younger, she'd dreamed about dating Ethan Sinclair. Not being stuck in a probably unwanted marriage with him.

"I know this isn't what either of us wanted," he added, maybe because he noticed she hadn't said anything yet.

He wasn't wrong. She hadn't wanted an arranged marriage. But the way he said it, like he definitely didn't want her, stung in a way she didn't expect. That had always been her biggest fear with this arrangement—that she was walking into something where she wasn't wanted.

But maybe it was time to put on her big girl pants.

"Yeah, you're right," she said, her voice tight. I don't want you this way either. "But of course, let's start."

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady, unwavering. "There are some things you need to know," he began, his voice low, almost detached. "I work a lot. I'm usually very busy, so I won't have much time to spend with you. I'm not planning on changing that."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Of course, we can coordinate for social obligations, but that will go through my assistant."

Sophie nodded, her mind racing. "Yes, I understand." But deep down, fear crept in. What the hell was she getting into?

She could already imagine being in a marriage where she was alone, a ghost in a life that wasn't hers.

Ethan continued, "I also can't promise to be romantic or particularly affectionate. But if you have strong feelings about things like birthdays or anniversaries, we can schedule them in—if I'm free, of course."

Sophie inhaled sharply, wishing he would just stop talking. Each word felt like a brick, building a wall between them before they even had a chance.

Ethan's eyes didn't waver. "And I may not be the kind of husband you might expect."

Sophie interrupted, her voice laced with frustration and hurt. "What kind of husband should I expect then?"

Ethan's expression softened, but only slightly. "I just don't want you to have expectations I can't meet. I'm already married to my work. I work full-time and overtime, and honestly, I don't think I have time to fit in marriage responsibilities."

Sophie met his gaze firmly, pushing past the sting of his words. "I know what I'm getting into. Your family says they'll settle our debts."

Ethan nodded, his tone turning colder, more formal. "I assure you, you won't face any financial difficulties in this marriage."

Her heart clenched at his words. Was she really selling herself into a life of loneliness in exchange for money? She almost laughed at the thought. It felt like she was bartering herself for survival.

"Then I have no reservations," she said quietly, though the words felt heavy in her mouth.

"You'll also be required to sign a prenup. It's nothing personal, just a family requirement," Ethan added, as if he hadn't already crushed her spirit enough.

She didn't care about his money, and she would sign the prenup without hesitation, but it felt like Ethan had already signed a prenup on his heart—locking it away before she even had the chance to say I do.

Ethan sighed. He hated everything that came out of his mouth. The café was too quiet, Sophie was too quiet, and he tried to calm his nerves. Why did he have to bring up the damn prenup?

"Should there ever be a divorce, I'll ensure you're well taken care of financially," he said, almost as if getting the words out would make this easier.

He had already accepted that he was unwilling to let someone in. He knew he was incapable of it. But he hated that it had to be her.

Just like the last time they met eye to eye, he had to tell her exactly where he stood. Back then, and now, he was unwilling to take that extra step.

Sophie's gaze snapped to his, sharp and unyielding. "I don't mind signing a prenup. Your family has already been more than generous during this time. But I guess my new responsibilities are just too much to handle, Mr. Sinclair?"

Ethan flinched at the formality in her voice. Mr. Sinclair. That was his name, but hearing it from her, he hated it.

"I'm sorry if it feels like too much to handle," he replied bluntly, the frustration creeping into his voice despite himself. "But as someone marrying into my family, you should be prepared. It won't always be easy. My family's lifestyle and expectations are very different from what you're accustomed to."

"Have you noticed how one-sided your terms have been?" Sophie shot back, her tone sharp. "You're not willing to change anything. And I don't know how much you know about marriage, but even an arranged one deserves compromise."

"Fair," Ethan admitted simply, his expression unreadable.

It felt suffocating. She knew what she was getting into, but hearing it laid out like this—cold, transactional—made her feel like a product being exchanged, not a person with feelings or dreams.

"Your terms are lacking, Mr. Sinclair. I don't agree to them. I know I said I did before, but I can't."

Call it stubbornness—she didn't care.

For a moment, Ethan's lips twitched into something resembling a smile. "I'm sorry if I'm being unreasonable, Sophie. But this is what I can offer. Tell me what your terms are, and maybe we can come to an agreement."

She nearly rolled her eyes. Like this is some kind of business deal.

"I want to continue to be myself," she said, her voice steady.

That made him tilt his head slightly, confusion flickering in his piercing blue eyes.

"You said you don't plan to change," she continued. "I don't want to change either."

Ethan's lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze never leaving hers. "I never expected you to," he said quietly.

It wasn't what she expected. The sincerity in his voice threw her off balance, made her question everything for just a moment. If he never expected her to change, then why did his terms feel like they were designed to suffocate everything she was?

"Well, then," she muttered, ruffling her hair in frustration. "That's that."

God, she hated him. But she also hated how impossible it was to detach herself from him. No matter how cold or distant he was, there was still a part of her that clung to what could be, what might be.

As if on cue, the waiter delivered their drinks. She was grateful for the distraction. The warmth of the coffee grounded her as she took a slow sip, watching Ethan from over the rim of her cup.

She needed him—and maybe, just maybe, she could help him too. But she didn't know what their marriage would look like. Ethan had made it clear his first commitment was to his work. He wasn't planning on cheating on it anytime soon.

So why would she go out of her way to tell him she wanted a real marriage? That some foolish, hopeless part of her still wished they could fall in love? It wasn't the time to be a romantic. She needed to detach before he broke her heart for the second time.

After a long stretch of silence, Ethan spoke again.

"Is there anything else you expect from me in this marriage, Sophie?"

You. But that wasn't something she could say.

"Can I have some time to think about it?"

"Of course," Ethan replied without missing a beat. He glanced at his watch. "I need to get back to work now," he added, already signaling the end of their meeting.

He was already testing her patience.

"Your mom said the meeting was supposed to last at least an hour. At least stay for the hour," Sophie said, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Ethan exhaled, the smallest trace of resignation in his sigh. "Alright. I'll stay for the hour."

Sophie took another deep breath. She wasn't going to let him ruin the rest of her day. He'd done enough talking—it was her turn now.

"Since we've got some time left," she said, glancing at her phone, "I want to tell you about my flower shop."

Ethan's brow arched slightly at her sudden shift in tone, though it didn't surprise him.

"You have to visit sometime, Ethan. Trust me."

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Photo credit: Pinterest

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