Sitting there already, coffee in front of him, tapping the lid lightly like he was trying to keep his hands busy. His head was slightly bowed as he fiddled with something on his phone, brows knit in concentration.
My heart actually skipped. A real, fluttering skip like I was a teenager again.
The ridiculous warmth that spread through me nearly knocked me over.
Belle was waiting behind the counter when I made it to the register, her expression already smug.
“Latte for my favorite blossoming troublemaker,” she said, sliding the cup toward me with a flick of her wrist.
I rolled my eyes. “Please don’t call me that.”
“Oh, honey,” she said with a wicked grin, leaning in conspiratorially. “I’m just calling it like I see it. Now go join him before I start charging you rent for hogging that corner table.”
I lifted the cup, trying not to let my smile give everything away. “Thanks.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She waved me off. “Now go have your cute little coffee date with Prince Charming.”
I nearly choked. “Belle!”
She just winked. “He got here early, by the way. Likeveryearly.”
My cheeks burned. “Belle.”
She darted behind the espresso machine before I could argue
I took a steadying breath, smoothed a hand down my shirt, and crossed the room toward him.
Alex looked up before I even reached the table, like he could sense me coming.
And when his eyes met mine?
He smiled.
Soft. Warm. A little shy around the edges.
“Hey,” he said, standing slightly as I approached like the gentleman he was. “I didn’t mean to steal your spot.”
“It’s not stealing,” I said, heat rushing to my face. “I like that you’re here.”
His expression softened even more, like that simple sentence meant something to him. Like maybe he’d been hoping to hear it.
I slipped into my seat, heart still doing that stupid fluttering thing.
He took his seat across from me, leaning forward just a little, his voice low, almost tender.
“I hoped I’d see you.”
Any doubt I’d had about whether this thing between us was real evaporated completely. And just like every rehearsal, we had been lost in easy conversation until rehearsal was over.
“Well, I think we should probably go pick up our little trouble makers,” Alex said as he gathered up dishes.
“Yeah, it’s about that time,” I agreed.
As we headed to the door, his hand rested on the small of my back, sending shivers through my whole body. I was glad he was honoring my need to take it slow, but otherneedswere starting to pop up a lot more often.
The sun set as I drove Ava home.
“Where do you go when I’m at rehearsal?” she asked.
