Ethan reached across the table, taking her hand gently.“I like that feeling,” he said softly.“And I like sharing it with you.”
Emma felt warmth spread through her chest.“I like it too,” she admitted.“I like sharing… everything with you.”
They sat in comfortable silence, hands intertwined, watching the quiet world outside. Ethan hummed a soft tune under his breath, and Emma found herself leaning closer, drawn by the familiarity and comfort of his presence.
“You know,” Ethan said after a moment,“I never thought I’d find someone who makes me feel… complete. Someone who makes ordinary moments feel extraordinary.”
Emma’s heart fluttered.“I know exactly what you mean,” she whispered.“It’s like… every day feels lighter, happier, with you around.”
Ethan’s eyes softened, and he leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face.“I’m glad,” he murmured.“Because I want this… us… to last.”
Emma smiled, feeling a sense of certainty she hadn’t known before.“Me too,” she said, leaning in until their foreheads touched.“Me too.”
They stayed that way for a while, wrapped in the quiet intimacy of the café after hours, hearts syncing in a rhythm that belonged only to them. Outside, the stars continued to shine, but inside, the glow of the café—and the warmth of their connection—was brighter than anything in the night sky.
Chapter 19:
Misunderstood Messages
It was a busy Wednesday afternoon, the café buzzing with the usual crowd. Emma was behind the counter when her phone buzzed with a message. She glanced down and saw Ethan’s name pop up, but the text was brief:
“Meet me outside. Important.”
Her heart skipped a beat. Important? What could it be? A surprise? A problem?
Curiosity got the better of her, and she hurried outside, weaving through the small alley beside the café. Ethan was standing there, holding his guitar case and looking unusually serious.
“Emma,” he began, tone earnest,“I need to talk to you about something…”
Emma’s mind raced. Is he breaking up with me? Did something happen at the café?
Before she could say anything, a group of kids from a nearby school ran past, laughing and knocking into Ethan’s guitar case. The case tipped slightly, and out fell a bundle of sheet music, scattering across the cobblestones.
“Oh no!” Ethan exclaimed, scrambling to pick them up.
Emma laughed despite herself.“That’s… the important thing?” she asked, amusement flickering in her eyes.
Ethan looked up, embarrassed, cheeks pink.“Not exactly,” he admitted, holding up the mess of papers.“It’s… well, I wanted to show you something I wrote. A song. For you.”
Emma’s stomach flipped.“For me?”
“Yes,” he said, finally smiling.“I wasn’t sure how to tell you in the café, so… I figured I’d show you out here.”
Emma felt her heart swell. She knelt to help him gather the sheets, brushing against his hands as they worked.“You didn’t have to,” she said softly, her eyes meeting his.
“I wanted to,” Ethan replied, his voice low and tender.“Because you make every day feel… brighter. And I wanted to put that into music.”
Emma laughed, shaking her head in disbelief.“You’re ridiculous,” she whispered, though her cheeks were flushed.
“Ridiculous?” Ethan teased, leaning closer.“Maybe. But I hope you like it anyway.”
Emma looked down at the sheet music, then back at him, her heart melting.“I don’t just like it,” she said softly.“I love it. And I love you too.”
Ethan’s grin widened, and he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.“Good,” he murmured.“Because I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.”
As they stood there in the sunlit alley, laughter and music mixing with the bustling city sounds, Emma realized that even small misunderstandings could lead to moments of connection stronger than anything she had imagined.
Chapter 20:
