Falling Between the Notes (Nicholas Galitzine)

Chapter 3: First Casual Hangout

Jade's POV

I didn't know why I was so nervous.

It was just coffee. Nothing more, nothing less. But as I stood in front of my walk-in closet, staring at rows of clothes, I couldn't shake the flutter in my stomach. My fingers brushed over the hangers, indecision clouding my mind. Why was I putting so much thought into this?

"Relax, Jade," I whispered to myself, pulling out a simple black jacket and a pair of ripped jeans. Casual. Comfortable. No big deal.

I slipped into the outfit and stared at my reflection for a second longer, running my fingers through my hair before turning away. It wasn't like this was a date. Nicholas had invited me to coffee, and that was all. Still, it felt like something was hanging in the air between us, something unspoken and just out of reach.

A soft knock echoed from the open doorway.

"Miss Collins? We're ready to head out," Tony, my driver, said from the hallway.

I glanced at my phone. I still had a few minutes before I was supposed to meet Nicholas, but my nerves were already getting the better of me. Grabbing my bag, I nodded at Tony and followed him downstairs, trying to steady my breath as I descended the staircase.

The house felt particularly quiet today, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath. I slipped on my sunglasses as we walked out the front door and into the crisp afternoon air. Tony held the car door open for me, and I slid into the backseat, feeling the cool leather beneath me. The drive to the café was short—Nicholas had picked a spot not far from my place, a cozy little spot tucked away in a quiet neighborhood where we wouldn't be bombarded by paparazzi or fans.

At least, I hoped not.

As we pulled up outside the café, I spotted Nicholas sitting by the window, his face partially hidden behind a pair of sunglasses. He looked relaxed, sipping from a cup, but when he saw me through the glass, his posture straightened, and he gave me a small wave. I smiled, feeling the nervous flutter in my stomach grow stronger.

"Wish me luck," I muttered to Tony before stepping out of the car.

The moment I walked in, the cozy warmth of the café wrapped around me, the smell of coffee and fresh pastries filling the air. Nicholas stood up from the table as I approached, pulling his sunglasses off and flashing me that same soft smile I'd seen backstage. He was dressed casually, in jeans and a black jacket, but there was something about the way he wore it—effortless, like he hadn't tried at all.

"Hey," he said, his voice low but warm. His British accent gave the words a kind of charm that instantly made my heart flutter. "You made it."

"Of course," I replied, my smile widening. "I'm not one to miss out on coffee."

He chuckled and gestured to the seat across from him. "I already ordered for you. Hope you don't mind."

I glanced at the cup in front of me, noticing the foam heart on top of the cappuccino. "Not at all. This is perfect."

As I sat down, I felt the tension in my shoulders start to ease. The café was small, intimate, and there were only a few other patrons scattered around, all absorbed in their own conversations. It felt... safe. Like we weren't being watched or scrutinized. Just two people having coffee.

Nicholas leaned back in his chair, his gaze flickering to mine. "So, how's life in the fast lane? Still keeping up with the whirlwind of rehearsals and tour prep?"

I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Barely. But you know how it is. It's all go, go, go. And then suddenly, it's over, and you're left wondering how you got through it all."