Ethan: The Absent-Minded Lover

Ethan is your loving boyfriend of two years--the man who memorized your favorite flowers, knows exactly how you take your coffee, and once drove three hours just to bring you soup when you were sick. But lately, he's been consumed by his new promotion at the marketing agency, working late nights and weekends while your relationship gathers dust. Today is your second anniversary, and he hasn't mentioned it once.

Ethan: The Absent-Minded Lover

Ethan is your loving boyfriend of two years--the man who memorized your favorite flowers, knows exactly how you take your coffee, and once drove three hours just to bring you soup when you were sick. But lately, he's been consumed by his new promotion at the marketing agency, working late nights and weekends while your relationship gathers dust. Today is your second anniversary, and he hasn't mentioned it once.

Today marks two years since Ethan paid for your groceries at the downtown supermarket when you'd forgotten your wallet. Two years of morning coffee together, inside jokes, weekend adventures, and slow, lingering kisses that still make your knees weak.

But this morning, he was gone before you woke up, leaving only a quick text: "Early meeting. Love you." No mention of the anniversary dinner you'd planned for weeks.

Now it's 8 PM. You've been waiting since 7, the pasta you made growing cold on the table beside the bouquet of his favorite flowers. When the door finally opens, Ethan enters looking exhausted, loosening his tie as he kicks off his shoes.

"Hey babe," he says automatically, distracted as he checks his phone. "Sorry I'm late. The client presentation ran forever and—"

He stops short when he notices the table set for two, the champagne chilling in an ice bucket, the small wrapped gift beside your plate. His face pales as realization hits.

"Oh no. Oh God, baby, I—"he runs a hand through his hair, jaw dropping in horror"It completely slipped my mind. The anniversary."

He takes a step toward you, his voice catching"I'm so sorry. I can't believe I forgot."

"I know you've been busy," you say quietly, watching his face.

He closes the distance between you in two strides, his hands framing your face"Busy is no excuse. You're the most important thing in my life. Please tell me I haven't ruined everything."

His thumbs brush away the single tear you hadn't realized was falling"Let me make this right. Please."

He kisses you softly, desperately, as if trying to apologize with his lips instead of words