“Between your outfit and that pumpkin spice latte, you’re a dead giveaway,” Marlene said with a smile. “Most locals here skip the syrup in their coffee.”
“I guess my city habits are showing,” I chuckled. “Do you get a lot of tourists around here?” I asked, watching her write my name on the cup.
Marlene nodded. “We don’t get that many visitors this early in September, but things will be buzzing during the week of Halloween. That’s when the pumpkin spice and seasonal drink requests really start pouring in.”
As I waited for my drink, I absorbed the inviting atmosphere. The café was lively with activity, with a steady stream of customers chatting and placing their orders. I watched as one man poured five packets of sugar into his coffee, making me wonder if he had a death wish, or just a serious sweet tooth.
Marlene called my name, pulling me back from my musings. She handed me my pumpkin spice latte, and I wrapped my hands around the cool takeaway cup, savoring the rich aroma that promised a perfect start to my day.
Distracted by the inviting scent of freshly brewed coffee, and lost in thoughts of how different everything was here, I turned to leave, and collided head-on with someone standing behind me. My coffee cup slipped from my hand, and time seemed to slow as the liquid arced through the air, splashing onto the person I’d bumped into.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” I exclaimed, quickly grabbing napkins from the dispenser on the counter.
The poor guy was drenched, his white shirt soaked with the coffee.
He laughed, a deep sound that sent a pleasant shiver down my spine. His hazel eyes sparkled with amusement, and his warm smile lit up his face. “No harm done. I needed a wake-up call anyway. Plus, I’ve always hated this shirt.”
As he looked down at his soaked shirt and dabbed at it with napkins, I couldn’t help but notice how it clung to his lean, muscular frame. Accentuating his broad shoulders and defined chest. He was undeniablyattractive, and I found myself staring, captivated by his sharp jawline and the way his slight stubble added to his rugged appeal. Realizing I was gawking, I quickly averted my gaze, a flush rising to my cheeks.
“I can’t believe I just did that,” I muttered, embarrassed. “I’m not usually this clumsy. Sorry about that. By the way I’m Lavinia Carlisle, but everyone calls me Vinnie.”
I looked up, meeting his gaze, and my breath caught. His eyes were a warm brown, flecked with gold, giving them an amber glow. They were filled with curiosity and amusement, drawing me in. A soft, playful smile tugged at his lips as he took in my appearance, making the embarrassing situation feel unexpectedly charged with a spark of attraction.
As he smiled down at me, I realized just how tall he was—about six-foot-two, towering over my five-foot-five frame, even with my heels on. The height difference added to his magnetic presence, making me feel both intrigued, and a little flustered, by the chemistry between us.
“Nice to meet you, Vinnie. I’m Ethan Brown,” he said with a warm smile as he stepped aside. He glanced at Marlene behind the counter and added, “Could you get Vinnie another drink? Put it on my tab, please.”
His smooth, confident tone made my cheeks warm. I was surprised by his kindness, feeling both flattered and a little flustered by the gesture.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” I protested lightly. “I’m the one who spilled the coffee. I should be the one buyingyoua drink.”
He chuckled, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Letting a pretty girl pay for her own coffee wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me,” he teased, with a playful glint in his eye.
I felt my cheeks heat. Trying to keep my composure, I offered, “Well, at least let me pay for the dry cleaning? It’s the least I can do.”
He glanced down at his coffee-stained shirt and shrugged, his eyes never leaving mine. “No need, really. It’s just a shirt,” he said casually. Then, witha curious tilt of his head, he added, “So, are you new in town, or just passing through?”
“I’m visiting here for a few weeks, from Cresden,” I explained, trying to match his easy-going tone. “I’m still getting used to the slower pace here, but it’s a pleasant change from the city’s chaos.”
He nodded, his smile making my heart race. “Cresden, huh? This is quite a shift from city life. That’s just next to Boston, right? I’ve never been, but I hear it’s a busy place. Hallow’s End is a change of pace if you’re used to all that hustle and bustle. But it grows on you, after a while.”
“Itisa big change,” I agreed. “I’m staying at Willow Cottage for a few weeks, trying to adjust. Ivy was actually the first person to welcome me, and she’s been great. Everyone I’ve met so far has been really friendly. It’s nice to see such a close-knit community.”
Ethan chuckled. “Yeah, Ivy’s basically our unofficial welcome committee. She loves meeting new people, and making sure everyone feels at home. She’s the reason so many visitors end up coming back.”
Just then, Marlene approached with a fresh cup for me, and handed Ethan a drink as well. “Your usual,” she said with a playful grin. “Though I still don’t get how anyone can drink two shots of espresso with no sugar or milk. You’re a braver soul than me.”
Ethan laughed. “What can I say? I like my coffee strong,” he replied, taking the cup from her.
He surprised me by lingering instead of saying his goodbyes and continuing with his day. Ethan glanced back at me, a playful spark in his eyes. “So, has Ivy already tried to rope you into the Spooktacular Hallow’s Eve festival, yet?”
I raised an eyebrow at him, intrigued. “How did you know? Is there an inside joke I’m missing?”
Ethan chuckled, his laugh lighting up his face. His smile revealed straight, white teeth. “It’s practically a rite of passage around here. Ivy’s super passionate about Halloween, and makes sure everyone in town gets involved. She’s really persuasive, so if she’s pitched it to you, I hope you agreed—especially if you're planning on sticking around for it.”
I couldn’t help but smile back. “Actually, Ivy didn’t have to do much convincing. I volunteered to help out with the festival. Plus, I love Halloween, so it should be fun.”
We stood in a comfortable silence, an undeniable spark humming between us—warm, exhilarating, and unexpected. His presence made the room feel cozier, and also made me acutely aware of every little detail around me: the cool feel of my coffee cup, the faint scent of his cologne, and how easily we fell into conversation.
