"I'd rather be weird with you than normal with anyone else." - Unknown

  Katerina

  The blinking cursor on my computer screen seemed to mock me. Spreadsheet cells blurred before my eyes, and my to-do list, usually a source of satisfaction when conquered, felt more like an oppressive weight. Monday. Ugh. Even the usually cheerful chime of my inbox notifications sounded like a death knell. But beneath the surface layer of Monday morning dread, a tiny spark of anticipation flickered. Thursday. Coffee with Ethan.

  I glanced at the sticky note on my monitor, a silly reminder I’d scribbled to myself: “Thursday – Green Dress.” It was a small thing, a private joke, but the thought of wearing that dress – the vibrant emerald green that so perfectly matched my eyes – made me smile. I hadn’t worn it to work, opting for a more professional navy blue (boss-lady attire was a must), but the green dress hung in my closet, a silent promise of things to come.

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  My phone buzzed on my desk, and a text from Phoebe, Ethan’s sister: “Ugh, Monday. Kill me now.”

  I chuckled and quickly typed back: “Tell me about it! Drinks after work?”

  Phoebe’s response was immediate: “YES! A thousand times yes! How did your chocolate cake date go with my brother? And what about the night at the club?”

  I rolled my eyes. It had only been a few days since I’d met Ethan at the family event. But there was something about him… He was different. Genuine. Funny. And undeniably attractive. Our brief conversations had left me wanting more. A feeling I hadn’t experienced in a long time. Plus, his sister was awesome, which usually said something good about a guy. The "chocolate cake date" and "night at the club" were inside jokes with Phoebe. Ethan and I had only talked briefly at the party. I mused over what I should tell her. She was his sister, after all.

  “Katerina, can I get your input on the Peterson account?” My assistant, Sarah, stood in my doorway, a stack of files in her hands.

  “Absolutely, come on in,” I said, quickly switching gears. The spreadsheets swam back into focus, the blinking cursor no longer seemed quite so mocking. Thursday was coming. And until then, I had work to do. Lots of work. But the thought of Ethan, of our upcoming coffee date, was a pleasant distraction, a tiny ray of sunshine in the midst of a Monday morning storm. It was something to look forward to. Something to be excited about. And for now, that was enough. Plus, drinks with Phoebe tonight would be a fun way to get the inside scoop.