Chapter 1:
The Coffee Collision
Samantha Blake’s Monday started like every other: a too-hot latte in one hand, her laptop bag slung over her shoulder, and a mission to survive the morning commute without tripping over anyone—or anything.
Then she collided with a human obstacle. Literally.
“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed, trying to steady the stranger who was now awkwardly holding his own coffee cup at a weird angle.
“It’s… fine,” he said, flashing a lopsided grin.“Though your coffee seems less fine than you.”
Samantha blinked.“Excuse me?”
“You just… splashed it on my jacket,” he said, giving her a mock sad look.“And yet, somehow, I’m not even mad. That’s impressive.”
Samantha groaned.“Great. Monday officially hates me.”
He laughed, a light, infectious sound that made Samantha pause.“I’m Ethan, by the way. And you are…?”
“Samantha. And I really am sorry about your jacket. I can pay for dry cleaning.”
Ethan waved her off.“No, no. It’s just coffee. I’ll call it a latte’s battle wound. Consider it… our first encounter. Dramatic, right?”
Samantha couldn’t help but laugh despite herself.“First encounter? Are you always this charming to strangers covered in hot coffee?”
“Only to ones who make my Monday more interesting,” he said, tilting his head and grinning.
As Samantha handed him a napkin to dab at the coffee stain, she realized something: maybe Mondays weren’t all bad. Maybe this awkward, flustered, latte-colliding stranger could make them… a little better.
And just like that, the spark of chaos, laughter, and a very messy start to romance had begun.
Chapter 2:
Accidental Dates
Samantha tried to focus on her work at the coffee shop the next morning, but every time she glanced up, she caught Ethan waving at her from the corner. She groaned. Mondays, apparently, had a sense of humor.
“You again?” she said, raising an eyebrow as he approached, coffee in hand.
Ethan grinned, his signature lopsided smile in place.“Guilty as charged. I thought I’d make up for yesterday’s coffee calamity.”
Samantha crossed her arms.“By showing up? Or by spilling more coffee?”
“Neither!” he said, holding up a small cup.“I brought muffins. As peace offerings.”
She blinked.“Muffins?”
“Yes, muffins. Chocolate chip. Extra chocolate. Also, I made sure there’s no coffee in them this time. I’m learning.”
Samantha laughed despite herself.“Well, I suppose that’s… considerate. I guess I’ll forgive you.”
Ethan tilted his head dramatically.“Consider yourself officially forgiven and… maybe owed a muffin-fueled apology date?”
Samantha froze.“Wait. Are you asking me on a date… because of muffins?”
“Not just muffins. Also because you’re funny, and I’d like to see if your laugh works outside of awkward coffee collisions,” he said, shrugging as if it were the most logical reason in the world.
Samantha groaned and shook her head, though a smile tugged at her lips.“Fine. But only because I like muffins.”
