The Heart's Quite Beginning

Chapter 27: The Spark

After Ethan walked me home. I felt a strange sense of calm—a stark contrast to the chaos James had stirred earlier. For the first time in a while, the fear had dulled. Maybe it was because James was finally caught, or maybe it was because of Ethan's protective presence. Either way, tonight I felt... lighter.

But the day wasn't over yet.

I headed inside, changed into a fresh set of clothes, and prepared for the real work ahead. The cafe needed me, and as much as I cherished these moments of quiet, there was comfort in the rhythm of daily tasks. I locked my door, pulled up my hood, and braced myself against the cool air as I made my way to Ink & Espresso.

The rain had drawn in even more customers than usual. There's something about rainy days that makes people crave a warm drink, a cozy seat by the window, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee. Despite the weather, the cafe had been packed from morning to close.

I'd barely thought of James at all. His looming presence in my life, the fear, the uncertainty—it all seemed to melt away with every cup of coffee I poured, every conversation I had with our regulars. People came in with kind words, telling me how much they appreciated the cafe, how it had become a little haven in Seabrook. It was heartwarming, and I found myself smiling more today, laughing even. The warmth of the place, the buzz of voices, and the connection with the people—it all felt so real, so solid.

By the time I locked the doors and turned the "Closed" sign, I felt tired but content. Fridays were always busy, but tonight I had a sense of accomplishment. Tomorrow, I'd get to spend time with Iris and Nova, and I was already looking forward to it. We hadn't made any solid plans yet, but knowing them, it would involve good food, maybe a little shopping, and plenty of laughter.

I was wiping down the tables when I heard the soft chime of the door opening. I turned, already smiling when I saw Ethan standing there. His hair was damp from the rain, and his eyes were softer than usual, almost... warm.

"Hey," I said, continuing to wipe the table. "What brings you here? It's late."

Ethan smiled back, that familiar half-smile that had always intrigued me. "Just wanted to check on you. How was your day?"

I shrugged, a playful glint in my eyes. "Busy. rainy days are good for business, it seems."

Ethan taking a seat at one of the nearby tables.

As I wiped the last table, I couldn't help but sneak glances at Ethan sitting there, his hair damp from the rain, the soft glow of the cafe lights catching the angles of his face. There was something different about him tonight.

I felt my heart give a little flutter as I moved around the room. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but there was a charge in the air between us, a quiet pull that made my skin tingle.

As I slid into the chair across from him after finishing my work, the world outside seemed to fade away. I rested my arms on the table and met his gaze, feeling a strange mix of excitement and nervousness flutter in my chest. There was something about the way he was looking at me—like I was the only thing in the room that mattered.

"I hate the idea of you being hurt," he said, his voice thick with emotion. His eyes were locked onto mine, dark and intense, and I could see something flickering there.

For a moment, I didn't know what to say. His words hit me like a wave, stirring up feelings I wasn't quite ready to face. My heart skipped a beat, and I could feel my face warming under his gaze. I wanted to say something—anything—but the weight of the moment had me tongue-tied. So, I looked down at my hands, fiddling with the edge of the table, hoping the right words would come.