"Don't look at me like that," Eli growled, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine.
I lifted my chin, a defiant glint in my eyes. "Like what?"
He leaned in, his lips hovering just above my skin, each word a heated whisper. "Like you w...
The morning sunlight bathes the quaint café in a warm glow as I settle into a cozy corner table with my notebook and pen. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, mingling with the soft murmur of conversations. I take a deep breath, letting the tranquil ambiance wash over me.
Today, I'm determined to unlock the creative floodgates and let the words flow.
Just as I'm about to delve into my writing, a tall figure enters the café, his presence captivating. His light brown hair is tousled just enough to seem effortlessly charming, framing a face that’s both handsome and approachable.
He pauses at the counter, exchanging a few friendly words with the barista, Sarah, who has a bright smile and an easygoing manner. I watch, but pretend I’m not. When his gaze scans the room and lands on me, my heart skips a beat.
Is he a god? His easy, genuine smile sends a shiver down my spine. The strong jawline and hint of stubble add to his rugged appeal, but there’s a softness in his expression that balances everything perfectly.
I quickly scribble something in my notebook.
Holy shit, holy shit.
I’m panicking, but I don’t know why.
Mind you, I am not always like this.
I'm doodling now—stick men and whatnots—furiously, mad at myself for my uncalled-for reaction, when my notebook slips from my grasp, its pages fluttering to the floor.
In a flash, the man is by my side, his strong hands catching the scattered papers before they can touch the ground.
Our eyes meet, and for a moment, the world seems to stand still. Those eyes could drown a girl.
But I am not a girl anymore. Behave, Scarlet.
I quickly compose myself, masking my inner turmoil with a polite smile. "Thank you," I murmur, taking the notebook from his hands.
Callum’s POV:
I’m running late to a meeting, but for some reason, I need black coffee.
I park in front of Amour Café and head in, greeted by Sarah’s cheerful voice. I order black coffee, but my mind is elsewhere. My eyes wander, and that’s when I see her—sitting in a corner, completely absorbed in her notebook.
Scarlet. I don’t know her name yet, but something about her pulls me in, something beyond the cascade of dark hair and the deep concentration on her face.
Why do I feel like I’ve been drawn here, craving coffee when I don’t even like it?
Suddenly, her notebook slips from her hands. I’m by her side before I can think, gathering the scattered pages. When our eyes meet, it feels like the world narrows, just her and me, for that moment.
"Thank you," she says, her voice soft, melodic.
"No problem," I reply, trying to play it cool. "I couldn't let your ideas escape."
I should leave, but I can’t help myself. "I'm Callum," I say, offering a hand.
"Scarlet," she replies quietly, but I notice a flicker of recognition in her eyes. Was that a hint of surprise or familiarity? It’s almost as if she’s heard about me before.
"Scarlet," I repeat, savoring the sound. "A beautiful name for a beautiful woman."
---
I don’t miss the way his voice lingers on my name, like he’s already memorizing it. There’s a faint blush on my cheeks, but I manage to keep my composure. "Thank you," I say again, offering a polite smile. "I should get back to my writing."
Why do I sound so flustered?
"Of course," he says, his smile unwavering. "But perhaps I could join you for a coffee sometime? I'd love to hear more about your ideas."
I catch the playful glint in his eyes and respond with a half-smile of my own. "Perhaps," I reply, letting the word hang in the air.
He flashes a smirk, and before I know it, he adds, "Oh, I'll make sure you'd want it."
Cocky, much? My face probably betrays the indignation I'm feeling, but before I can retort, he's already heading back to the counter.
---
Callum’s POV:
I return to the counter, my black coffee completely forgotten. Sarah raises an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
"Find something more interesting than coffee, Callum?" she teases.
I chuckle, my gaze still fixed on Scarlet. "Something tells me I just did."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Callum Griffin Thorne
29, real estate developer
challenges and competition, fine dining and wine, architecture and design, traveling and exploring, family and career
"Havenwood is full of hidden treasures, Scarlet. But none shine as brightly as you. Let me be the one to uncover your secrets."
