Emma felt her heart race. She had never been so aware of someone’s presence before, not like this.“You’re… too kind,” she whispered.
“Maybe,” he said, a playful grin tugging at his lips.“Or maybe I just finally found someone worth noticing.”
The air between them thickened with unspoken tension. Emma’s hands trembled slightly as she reached for a cup, and Ethan’s gaze followed hers, soft and patient. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he leaned closer, until their faces were only inches apart.
Emma’s breath caught.“Ethan—”
He smiled gently, his forehead resting against hers.“I don’t want to rush, Emma… but I can’t pretend I don’t want this,” he murmured, his voice low and tender.
Her heart pounded, and she realized she didn’t want him to pretend either. She leaned in slightly, the warmth of their closeness wrapping around them like the soft glow of the café lights.
At that moment, the door jingled as a late customer entered, breaking the spell. They both jumped slightly, laughing nervously, yet neither could hide the shared spark in their eyes.
Ethan picked up his guitar, standing a little farther away but still smiling.“Tomorrow, we finish that moment properly?” he asked softly.
Emma nodded, her cheeks still flushed.“Tomorrow,” she whispered, already counting the hours.
Chapter 12:
First Kiss in the Glow
The café was almost empty that evening, the warm glow of the lights reflecting off the polished wooden floors. Emma wiped down the counter, her thoughts drifting to the moments she had shared with Ethan over the past weeks. His music, his laughter, the way he looked at her—it had all grown into something she could no longer ignore.
Ethan sat at the corner table, guitar resting beside him.“Hey,” he said softly when he noticed her staring.“You’ve got that look again.”
Emma laughed nervously.“What look?”
“The one that says you’re thinking about me,” he teased, his eyes sparkling.“It’s become my favorite look.”
Emma’s cheeks warmed, and she tried to focus on the counter.“You’re impossible,” she murmured, though her smile betrayed her.
He rose from the table, closing the space between them.“Maybe,” he said, voice low and tender.“But I think you like it.”
Emma swallowed hard, her heart racing.“Maybe I do,” she admitted, almost whispering.
Ethan’s hand reached out, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. Their eyes met, and the world outside the café seemed to fade. Slowly, he leaned in, and Emma felt her breath catch in her throat.
“Emma,” he whispered, his lips hovering just above hers.“I… I’ve wanted this for a while.”
She didn’t answer with words. Instead, she closed the final gap, letting their lips meet in a gentle, tentative kiss. It was soft and sweet, yet electric, sending warmth rushing through both of them.
For a moment, the café was filled only with the quiet hum of the lights and the sound of their hearts beating in unison. When they finally pulled back slightly, both were smiling, breathless and giddy.
Ethan rested his forehead against hers.“So… that was worth waiting for, right?”
Emma laughed softly, her fingers brushing against his.“Absolutely.”
As they lingered in that quiet glow, Emma realized that Café Starlight had become more than a place to work—it had become the setting for a story she had only just begun to live, a story of music, laughter, and love that felt like it had been waiting all along.
Chapter 13:
A Surprising Visitor
The next morning, Café Starlight was unusually busy, a stream of customers moving in and out with orders and chatter. Emma had just finished arranging the pastries when the door jingled, and in walked a woman with a confident smile, scanning the café until her eyes landed on Ethan.
“Ethan! Fancy seeing you here,” the woman said, striding over.
Ethan’s smile faltered for a moment, though he quickly recovered.“Lily! What a surprise. She’s my cousin, Emma,” he said, glancing at Emma.
