The Whispers of Cupid

Chapter 5: Muffins, Mornings, and Mischief

As Sara walked out of Bella’s Café, she couldn't help but smile at the lighthearted banter she'd shared with Ethan. He had a way of making her mornings brighter and filled with laughter. It was something she hadn’t expected when she first met him—especially considering his slightly clumsy tendencies behind the counter.

She took a sip of her almond latte, sighing in contentment. Perfect, just how she liked it. She glanced back through the café window and caught Ethan’s eye. He gave her a playful wink, and Sara, flustered, quickly looked away, feeling a warmth rise in her cheeks. What is he doing to me? she thought, shaking her head with a grin.

As she continued her walk down the familiar streets of Bellwood, she couldn’t stop replaying their conversation in her head.

She muttered under her breath, “Haunted coffee machine, really?”

Just then, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to see a message from Emily:

Emily: How was your morning? Spilled coffee again?

Sara laughed softly. Emily knew everything, and it wouldn’t surprise her if Mrs. Harding had already passed along the latest gossip about Ethan’s coffee mishap.

Sara: You know it. Ethan and the coffee machine are locked in an eternal battle.

A response came back almost instantly.

Emily: So…what did Bella say this time? More teasing?

Sara: Yep. Something about Ethan trying to impress me. He turned redder than a tomato.

Emily: Aww, how cute. Maybe you should give him a chance!

Sara stopped in her tracks, frowning slightly at the screen. She and Emily had had this conversation more than once. Sara wasn’t sure if Ethan was actually interested in her, or if their constant teasing and banter was just part of his personality. Besides, her emotions were complicated—especially with Ethan. She wasn’t sure how deep his feelings went, or if he even knew himself.

Sara: You’re reading too much into it.

Emily: Am I? Just saying…

Shaking her head with a smile, Sara pocketed her phone and made her way to the library. It was still early, and the streets were quiet, which gave her time to think.

As soon as she opened the library door, the familiar smell of books and polished wood welcomed her. Sara felt at home instantly. She placed her latte on the front desk and switched on the lights, the glow illuminating rows upon rows of shelves. It was her sanctuary. A place of peace, calm, and, for the most part, predictability.

But ever since Ethan came into her life, predictability had taken a backseat.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the library door creaking open. Sara looked up to see Ethan standing in the doorway, a sheepish grin on his face. He held up a brown paper bag.

“Peace offering,” he announced, walking toward the counter.

Sara raised an eyebrow. “Peace offering? Did the haunted coffee machine finally defeat you?”

Ethan chuckled, setting the bag down in front of her. “No, but I figured you’d need some extra motivation today. I brought you a muffin.”

Sara eyed the bag, then him, with a smirk. “You’re trying to bribe me with baked goods?”

“Is it working?” Ethan leaned on the counter, his smile teasing.

Sara rolled her eyes but reached into the bag. “What flavor?”

“Blueberry. Thought it’d go well with your latte.”

Sara took a bite and gave him an exaggerated nod of approval. “Not bad, Parker. Not bad.”

Ethan folded his arms, clearly proud of himself. “See? I’m not just the guy who spills coffee. I can contribute to society in other ways.”

“By bringing muffins to librarians?” Sara quipped between bites.

“Exactly. It’s part of my master plan to take over Bellowood,” Ethan said, his tone serious but his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Sara couldn't help but laugh. “If muffins are your secret weapon, I think Bellowood’s pretty safe.”

“You underestimate the power of a good muffin,” Ethan shot back, standing tall as if he were delivering a grand declaration. “First, I win over the librarian. Next, the town. Then, the world!”

Sara rolled her eyes again, but she couldn’t stop grinning. “Careful, you’re going to be known as the muffin king.”

Ethan leaned closer over the counter, lowering his voice dramatically. “I’ve heard worse nicknames.”

“Worse than Muffin King?” Sara asked, eyebrow raised in mock curiosity.

Ethan looked as if he were seriously considering it. “Well… back in high school, they called me ‘Spillmaster.’ I guess that’s sort of related to my coffee issues.”

Sara laughed out loud. “Wait, seriously? Spillmaster?”

“Yep,” Ethan nodded solemnly. “I was notorious for knocking things over. It’s like I had a personal vendetta against gravity or something.”

“Good to know some things never change,” Sara teased, reaching for her latte and taking another sip.

Ethan put a hand over his heart, feigning hurt. “Ouch, Sara. You hurt me.”

She chuckled. “I’m just stating facts. But hey, I’m sure you’ll conquer the coffee machine soon enough. Maybe even graduate to making lattes without a single spill.”

“Now that’s a lofty goal,” Ethan replied, grinning. “But with you as my coffee coach, I just might stand a chance.”

Sara leaned against the counter, tilting her head slightly. “You know, if this whole barista thing doesn’t work out, you could always write a memoir. ‘The Spillmaster’s Guide to Surviving in a Small Town Café.’”

Ethan’s face lit up. “That’s actually not a bad idea! You could co-author it with me. We’ll make it a bestseller, and then we’ll really take over the world.”

“Right,” Sara said, playing along. “I’ll handle the grammar, and you can handle…well, the spilling.”

“Perfect team,” Ethan agreed, smiling wide.

There was a brief pause as they locked eyes, the playful energy between them shifting slightly into something deeper, though still unspoken. Sara’s heart fluttered unexpectedly, and she quickly looked away, pretending to busy herself by stacking a few books on the counter.

“Well,” Ethan cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “I should probably get back to work before Bella thinks I’ve abandoned my post.”

Sara nodded, suddenly feeling a little nervous. “Yeah, you should. Can’t leave the café in the hands of that haunted coffee machine.”

Ethan chuckled, walking backward toward the door. “True. See you later, Sara.”

“See you later, Ethan,” she called after him, watching as he disappeared out the door.

She let out a small sigh, staring at the empty space where Ethan had just been standing. Her mind swirled with thoughts she wasn’t sure she was ready to confront. Their banter had always been fun and lighthearted, but lately, it felt like there was something more beneath the surface.

Sara bit her lip and glanced down at the half-eaten muffin. Muffins, haunted coffee machines, and one very charming barista—things were definitely getting more interesting in Bellwood.

And for once, she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. But maybe, just maybe, she was willing to find out.