Elizabeth Moore had a life that fit together neatly, hospital shifts, coffee mugs, and half-filled notebooks stacked on her nightstand.

Every day started the same way, 6 a.m. alarm, a cup of instant coffee, and the faint sound of Her roommate teenage daughter, Trisha, humming to herself down the hall.

It wasn’t exciting, but it was peaceful and Beth liked it that way.

After twelve hours of tending to patients, charting vitals, and pretending she wasn’t running on caffeine and willpower.

She came home to her roomate Lena's laughter and Trisha’s playlists. They would talk, eat leftovers, and sometimes share a bottle of cheap wine.

Then Beth would retreat to her small corner desk, where her second life waited, a notebook filled with unfinished stories and quiet dreams. Writing wasn’t a career for her. It was a way to breathe after everything else.

.......

Beth, you’re going to turn into a robot if you keep this up, Lena said one evening from the kitchen.

Beth looked up from her laptop. Define 'this'.

Work, write, sleep. Work, write, sleep. That’s not a cycle; that’s a trap.

Beth smirked. Says the woman who binge-watched four seasons of a baking show in two days.

Lena pointed a spoon at her dramatically. Self-care, darling. You should try it.

Trisha, sitting at the counter with a bowl of cereal, giggled. Mom’s right. You need to go out. Like… meet a guy or something.

Traitor... Beth said, pretending to glare.  And what exactly makes you an expert on relationships, Miss Sixteen-and-Not-Allowed-to-Date?

Trisha shrugged. I read books.

Lena snorted. Speaking of men....

Oh no, Beth cut in. No speaking of men. We’re not doing this.

But Lena ignored her, leaning against the counter with a mischievous grin.

My brother Nate called me says he has a new roommate,  So........ his roommate Daniel, he’s single. And from what I’ve heard, not completely useless.

Beth groaned. 

Hear me out, Lena said, holding up a hand. He’s polite, steady job, no red flags so far. Nate says he’s quiet but kind. Perfect for you.

I’m not looking for anyone.

Exactly why you should meet him.

That makes zero sense.

It makes emotional sense, Lena said brightly. You need someone who’ll remind you you’re still alive.

Beth sighed, rubbing her forehead. Lena, I barely have time to eat properly, let alone…

Then call it a friendly dinner,  Lena said quickly. No pressure. Just two adults who happen to share mutual friends. You might even like him.

Trisha piped up again. You should go, Auntie Bert. What if he’s cute?

Lena grinned as she stirred her wine. Oh, by the way, I already texted Nate to set up the blind date.

Beth blinked. You what?

I mean, come on! You’ve been single since the dinosaurs. You need to get out there.

Lena! Beth’s voice pitched higher. You can’t just……You actually set it up?

Lena sipped her wine innocently. It’s next Friday. 

Trisha giggled from across the table. Aunt Bert’s going on a date!

Bert buried her face in her hands. I’m never forgiving you for this.

Lena winked. You will..

……..

That night, Beth stood in front of her mirror, toothbrush in hand, still thinking about the conversation.

She told herself she wouldn’t agree. She told herself she was too busy, too comfortable.

But as she got into bed, she found herself wondering what kind of man lived with Lena’s brother and why, after all this time, she felt the faintest flicker of curiosity.