Emma’s heart sank slightly. She remembered Lily from the brief encounter a few days ago, but seeing her again—and so warmly interacting with Ethan—sparked a hint of jealousy she couldn’t shake.
“Hi, I’m Emma,” she said, trying to keep her tone light.
“Nice to meet you, Emma,” Lily said with a polite smile.“Ethan’s told me a lot about you. It sounds like you two get along really well.”
Emma forced a smile, though inside, she felt uneasy. Ethan stood close, seemingly oblivious to the tension growing in her chest.
After chatting briefly, Lily left, waving cheerfully. Emma exhaled, trying to calm herself.“You didn’t tell me she’d be back,” she said softly, trying to keep her tone neutral.
“I… I didn’t think it mattered,” Ethan said, scratching the back of his neck.“She just came by for a quick hello.”
Emma looked at him, searching his face for any sign of deceit.“I know,” she murmured.“It’s silly… I just—”
Ethan stepped closer, taking her hands gently in his.“Hey, Emma… you have nothing to worry about. You’re the one I care about. The rest is just noise.”
Emma’s heart softened at his words, and she squeezed his hands.“I know,” she whispered.“I just… I didn’t want to feel jealous.”
“Jealousy is human,” Ethan said with a playful smile.“But let’s make a deal: we trust each other, no matter who shows up.”
Emma nodded, feeling the tension fade.“Deal.”
As the café buzzed around them, Emma realized that challenges would come—but with honesty, trust, and a little courage, she and Ethan could face them together. And maybe, just maybe, that made their connection even stronger.
Chapter 14:
Stolen Moments
The weekend arrived with clear skies and a gentle warmth in the air. Emma stepped out of Café Starlight, her bag slung over her shoulder, to find Ethan waiting by the curb with a mischievous grin.
“Ready for our little adventure?” he asked, handing her a pair of sunglasses.
Emma laughed, sliding them on.“What adventure exactly? You haven’t said.”
“You’ll see,” he said, guiding her down the cobblestone streets of the town. They passed small boutiques and bakeries, the morning sunlight making everything look golden and inviting.
Their first stop was a quiet little park near the river. Ethan spread a blanket under the shade of an old oak tree, and they sat together, sharing a thermos of coffee he had brought along.
Emma leaned against him, feeling the warmth of his shoulder.“I like this,” she murmured, watching the river glisten.“Just… simple. Peaceful.”
Ethan smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face.“Yeah. It’s nice to get away from the café chaos sometimes.” He hesitated, then added,“And away from everything else. Just us.”
Emma’s heart fluttered.“I’m glad it’s you I’m spending it with,” she said softly.
They spent the morning talking, laughing, and teasing each other, the easy camaraderie from the café blossoming into something deeper. Ethan strummed his guitar softly, playing a tune he had been working on, while Emma hummed along, leaning closer with every note.
At one point, a light breeze carried the melody across the park. Ethan’s hand found hers, their fingers intertwining naturally.“I feel like… I’ve been waiting for this,” he murmured.
Emma’s cheeks warmed, and she squeezed his hand.“I feel the same,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
For a while, they simply sat together in comfortable silence, hearts in sync, the world around them fading into the soft music of shared moments.
By the time they returned to the café, Emma felt a sense of contentment she hadn’t realized she had been longing for. With Ethan by her side, even the ordinary streets and quiet parks felt magical, like every day could hold a new memory to cherish.
And as they stepped through the café doors, both knew that this was just the beginning of something beautiful—a story they were writing together, one stolen moment at a time.
Chapter 15:
Surprise Encounter
