The Heart's Quite Beginning

Chapter 19: A Bookish Revelation

We all burst into laughter, our playful talk echoing through the library's quiet corners. But in the midst of our joyous chatter, I caught sight of someone out of the corner of my eye. There, near one of the shelves, stood Ethan, lost in the world of books. A warm flutter of recognition spread through me, and before I could help it, a smile tugged at my lips.

"I'll be right back," I said, my voice carrying a mix of eagerness and anticipation. Nova and Iris exchanged knowing glances but chose to remain silent, allowing me to make my way over to Ethan with a gentle nudge of curiosity.

He looked up just as I approached, his familiar, smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Lia," he greeted me softly, his voice low, respectful of the library's quiet atmosphere. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"I could say the same," I replied, feeling that odd mixture of ease and excitement that always seemed to accompany our conversations. "What are you doing here?"

"Browsing?" I asked, my eyes landing on the book he held, its cover worn and faded.

Ethan glanced up, a faint smile on his lips. "Yeah, figured it was a good day to dive into a mystery."

I tilted my head toward the Mystery section. "And here I thought you'd be more at home lost in some brooding hero's quest."

Ethan chuckled, a deep, quiet sound that sent a pleasant shiver down my spine. "I think you might be the one who's lost in the romance section."

"Hey, I like what I like," I said, trying to defend myself with mock seriousness. "I didn't peg you as the teasing type, though."

"There's a lot you don't know about me," he replied, his voice teasing yet still carrying that same softness. His eyes glinted with a quiet humor, and it made me feel... well, happy.

We found a couple of seats by one of the library's large windows, the sunlight casting a gentle glow over the wooden tables. The library was still and calm, with only the occasional rustle of pages or a muffled whisper breaking the silence.

"You really like romance books?" Ethan asked, as we sat down, his voice soft but laced with curiosity.

"Yep," I admitted, crossing my arms over my chest playfully. "I mean, who doesn't love a good love story?"

He smirked, tilting his head slightly. "I don't know if I could sit through all that... longing."

"Don't knock it 'til you've tried it," I teased, nudging his arm with my elbow. "You might surprise yourself."

He raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Somehow, I doubt it."

I opened my mouth to retort, but then something caught my eye. A library worker walked past, carrying a stack of books, and there, on top, was one that stopped me in my tracks. Ethan Blackwood. The name was etched in bold letters on the spine and cover.

Without thinking, I stood up abruptly, causing Ethan to look at me with confusion. "I'll be right back," I said quickly, making a beeline toward the worker.

"Excuse me," I said, tapping the worker gently on the arm. "Can I see that book for a second?"

The worker smiled politely and handed it over. "Of course."

I turned the book over in my hands, studying its cover. When I looked up, Ethan was watching me with a bemused expression. "Look at this!" I said, hurrying back to him with the book. "It has your name on it. Ethan Blackwood—right on the cover! How have I never seen this before?"

Ethan's gaze shifted to the book, his expression unreadable. I continued, almost breathless with excitement. "It's a New York Times Bestseller! I read a lot of books, but I guess I stick to romance, so I never came across this one. What a coincidence, right? Another Ethan Blackwood in the world."