'Pretty'

2

"Hi," he greeted with a warm, disarming smile, breaking the silence.

"Good morning. Can I help you?" Loreleigh replied, her tone polite, but there was a hint of guardedness in her eyes.

"I'm new in the area," Luka said, his voice calm and steady. "Thought I'd stop by and see what the fuss was about. Everyone keeps talking about this place."

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued but not fully showing it. "What have they been saying?"

"That you make the best coffee and pastries around," he replied. He met her gaze with an unwavering confidence, something she found both intriguing and mildly intimidating.

For Loreleigh, her little cafe was more than just a business—it was her safe haven. She didn't like distractions, and Luka was clearly a distraction.

But his calm presence and genuine curiosity disarmed her, as if he was peeling back her layers one glance at a time. Reluctantly, she motioned to the menu.

"Why don't you give it a try?"

He chuckled. "I'll take whatever you recommend."

As she turned to make his order, she couldn't help but feel his eyes on her, watching her every move with a mix of admiration and curiosity. He ordered a slice of chocolate torte, and she plated it with practiced grace, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest.

When she handed him the slice, their fingers brushed for a split second. She felt a spark, something that made her pull back almost reflexively, but Luka's expression remained calm, his smile unwavering.

"You know," he said as he took his first bite, "I think I'll be coming here a lot."

"Is that so?" She tilted her head, masking her intrigue behind a cool expression.

"Yes." His smile widened. "And maybe one day, you'll let me see what goes on behind the counter."

Loreleigh chuckled, shaking her head. "That's for staff only."

"Oh, I'm a quick learner," he replied.

He left that day with a promise that he'd be back, and true to his word, Luka began frequenting her cafe.

As weeks turned into months, their interactions became more frequent, each one adding a layer to the connection between them.

They spent countless afternoons together in that cafe—he'd bring his sketchbook sometimes, she'd try out new recipes, and over time, he learned to appreciate the subtleties of her quiet, introverted nature, while she found herself drawn to his strength and confidence.

Loreleigh didn't believe in impulsive decisions, but Luka was the one exception, the one who fit into her life like he was meant to be there all along.