Then she saw him.
Ethan sat in the corner, sketchbook open on the table, pencil moving in swift, confident strokes. For a second, she thought he hadn’t noticed her. Then his head lifted, and their eyes met.
“Lila,” he said, a small, surprised smile tugging at his lips.
“Ethan,” she replied, settling into the seat across from him before she could overthink it.“Fancy seeing you here.”
“I could say the same,” he said, closing his sketchbook with a soft snap.“I didn’t expect to run into you outside the library.”
“I guess we both like quiet corners,” Lila said, a playful note in her voice.
They talked in fits and starts, pausing when the café grew noisy, then resuming like a conversation that had been waiting for the right time. Ethan spoke of his art, his love for capturing fleeting moments, and Lila found herself opening up about her work as a journalist, about the little things that made her day worthwhile.
At one point, a barista brought over a latte, and Ethan gestured toward it with a grin.“For you,” he said, as if he’d known she needed it.
Lila’s heart skipped.“I didn’t order that,” she said, laughing.
“I know,” he said simply.“I noticed you looked a little lost in thought. Figured a latte might help.”
It was a small gesture, nothing grand, yet it carried a quiet weight. Lila realized that Ethan had paid attention—really noticed—and it made her chest warm in a way that was unfamiliar but pleasant.
They left the café together, walking through the crisp streets as golden leaves swirled around their feet. Neither said much, but the silence was comfortable, the kind that spoke of growing familiarity.
As they parted ways at the corner, Ethan smiled, his hazel eyes catching the fading sunlight.“See you at the library again?”
Lila nodded, smiling back.“I’ll be there.”
And just like that, the slow burn had begun—subtle, unspoken, yet undeniable. Something was forming between them, quiet and patient, promising that this was only the beginning.
Chapter 3:
A Gentle Misunderstanding
The library smelled of old books and polished wood, a comforting scent that Lila had always loved. She rounded the corner near the art section, notebook in hand, and froze when she saw Ethan.
He was laughing—deep, genuine laughter—at something, but not with her. Lila’s chest tightened, a small pang she couldn’t quite name. She forced a smile and cleared her throat.
“Hey, Ethan,” she said softly.
He looked up, eyes brightening, but the person he had been talking to—a young woman with curly hair and a bright scarf—was still there. Lila stepped back, uncertain. Maybe she had interrupted something.
“Oh, Lila! This is Sophie,” Ethan said quickly, smiling warmly.“Sophie, this is—”
“Lila,” she said, offering a brief nod, trying not to let the quick sting of jealousy show.
Sophie smiled politely.“Nice to meet you.”
Ethan, noticing the tension, cleared his throat.“Sophie and I… um, just work on some sketches together sometimes. I should—”
Lila forced herself to laugh, a little awkwardly.“No worries. I’ll, uh… let you continue.” She turned and walked away, cheeks warming. The sting was ridiculous—she barely knew him, andyet the thought of someone else laughing with him felt sharper than she expected.
Later, she found a quiet bench near the window, trying to focus on her notes. And then he appeared, sitting beside her, looking sheepish.
“Hey,” he said softly.“I’m sorry if I… made you feel awkward back there. Sophie’s just a friend, and I should have introduced you properly.”
Lila let out a small laugh, shaking her head.“It’s fine. I overreacted. Slightly.”
“Only slightly?” he teased, eyes twinkling.“I promise, you’re the one I notice most.”
