I cleared my throat, trying to break the awkwardness. “We’ve actually met before. I was here with Ivy the other day.”
She turned to me, her smile turning noticeably strained. “Oh, right! I remember you,” she said, dismissing me with a quick glance before refocusing on Ethan. The dismissal stung, making the situation even more uncomfortable.
Ethan, sensing the tension, quickly tried to steer the conversation back on track. “I’ll have a black—”
“Coffee with an extra shot of espresso and no sugar. I know,” Emily cut him off with a sweet smile. She leaned her hip against the table, subtly blocking me out of the conversation, making me feel small and unimportant. Ethan’s jaw tightened slightly, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face.
“And for you?” He turned to me with a gentle smile, trying to include me again.
“Pumpkin spice latte, please,” I mumbled.
Emily barely glanced my way as she said, “We haven’t received the seasonal syrups yet. Sorry.”
I felt my face heat, doubting her words since I was sure I had seen the seasonal drinks listed on the chalkboard when I walked in. But I didn’t want to make a fuss. “Then just a latte will be fine, thanks,” I said quietly.
Ethan looked expectantly at Emily. “If you need anything else, just let me know,” she said, her tone dripping with sweetness, and directed solely at him. She turned away, adding an exaggerated sway to her hips as she walked back to the counter. Her tight dark blue flare jeans, and the fitted black T-shirt with the bistro’s logo, highlighted her tiny waist and curvyfigure. It was hard not to notice how attractive she was, and I felt a pang of insecurity.
Ethan turned back to me, an apologetic look on his face. “I’m sorry about that. I’m not sure what’s up with Em today. She’s usually really friendly.”
I gave him a small smile, trying to brush it off. “It’s okay. I’m sure she’s . . . nice.”
An awkward silence settled between us as we both fumbled for what to say next. I glanced over at Emily, who was now busying herself at the coffee machine. Despite her focus on her work, I noticed her sneaking glances in our direction, her gaze flickering between Ethan and me. The whole situation felt uncomfortable, and I shifted in my seat, unsure of how to break the tension.
Ethan seemed to notice my fidgeting, and my fingers unconsciously playing with the necklace around my neck. His brow furrowed slightly, and he leaned forward, pulling his chair in a little closer. His movement brought him nearer, creating a sense of intimacy that felt different from the casual coffee shop setting.
He looked at me with a soft, focused gaze, his eyes warm and sincere. There was something in the way he looked at me that felt different from how he interacted with Emily earlier—like I was the only woman in the room.
“Hey,” he said gently, his voice low. “I’m really glad you agreed to meet up. It’s nice to get a chance to talk, just the two of us.” His smile was genuine and, for a moment, the awkwardness melted away. It felt like he was genuinely interested in me, not just making polite conversation.
“So, how are you finding Hallow’s End?” he asked.
“It’s growing on me,” I admitted with a small smile. “I’ve started to get used to the town, and I’m enjoying the beautiful scenery. It’s a nicechange from the concrete jungle of Cresden.” I chuckled softly and added, “In Cresden, the closest thing to nature was the potted plants in office lobbies.”
“I can’t even imagine not being surrounded by nature. The tranquillity here is something I couldn’t live without.” He grinned, leaning back in his chair. “The constant noise of the city would probably drive me mad. I guess I’m just not cut out for the big city life.”
I chuckled. “Trust me, it does drive you mad. But there are things I like about it, too. In a city like Cresden, with all the constant noise and so many people around, you’re never really alone. There’s always something happening, and there’s a certain energy to it that can be pretty exciting.”
Ethan smiled, a stray strand escaping his styled hair. With a smooth, practiced motion, he pushed it back, his forearm flexing subtly as he did. The brief glimpse of muscle caught my attention. There was something undeniably attractive about the effortless way he moved, like he was completely at ease in his own skin. It was hard not to be drawn in by it.
“That sounds like the city life has its perks. Must be quite the switch coming here.” He leaned in, a playful glint in his eyes. “So, what made you trade all that excitement for the peace and quiet? Searching for a different kind of thrill?” His tone was teasing, but there was genuine curiosity in his gaze.
I hesitated. Part of me didn’t want to burden him with my problems, but Ethan’s genuine interest made me feel surprisingly comfortable.
“I needed a break from Cresden and everything that came with it,” I began, sighing softly. “Honestly, I was hoping a change of scenery would help me get back into my art. But it's been tough. I’ve hit this huge creative block, and it feels like I’m just banging my head against a brick wall.”
Ethan tilted his head, considering my words. “That sounds rough. It’s funny how a new place can sometimes make things harder, instead of helping, right?”
“Exactly!” I exclaimed, feeling a bit of relief that he understood. “I thought the beauty of nature would get my creativity flowing, but it’s just not happening.” I paused, then added with a wry smile, “Maybe my muse prefers the sound of traffic, and the sight of skyscrapers.”
Ethan chuckled. “I remember you saying your art is bold and full of emotions. Maybe your muse is having a tough time with the calm, muted vibes of Hallow’s End. It’s like trying to paint a storm in a place that’s always sunny.”
I laughed and shook my head. “For someone who claims not to know much about art, you sure seem to understand my creative struggles pretty well. Maybe you missed your calling as an art therapist,” I teased.
He grinned and gave me a playful wink. “Well, if you need help finding some new inspiration, I’m your guy. Just say the word.”
I felt a blush creeping in, but, before I could respond, Emily appeared, slamming down my latte on the table with an icy smile. A bit of the drink splashed out of the cup, and she shot me a faux-apologetic look. “Oops, sorry about that,” she said, though her tone was anything but sincere.
She turned to Ethan, her expression softening into a sweet smile as she leaned in a bit too close, clearly showing off her cleavage as she placed his black coffee in front of him. “Here’s your coffee, Ethan,” she said in a sugary tone.
