sugar & shelves.

Chapter 5: A Step Beyond the Counter

The soft buzz of conversation surrounded Sophie as she leaned against the counter, absently arranging a tray of freshly baked croissants. It was a quiet day at the bakery—a slow, steady hum that felt almost like a lull before the storm. She let her mind wander, but it always circled back to the same thing: Ethan.

The way he'd looked at her yesterday, that soft, unexpected moment between them. It felt too quiet, too honest to ignore. But she wasn't sure if she was ready to figure it out. So she did what she always did when things got too close to her heart—she pushed it away and focused on the dough.

The bell above the door jingled, and Sophie looked up, startled from her thoughts. There he was—Ethan. His messy hair, that easy smile, and the way his presence seemed to fill up the entire room. He wasn't just a regular anymore. It was like he had become a part of the fabric of the place, of her routine.

"Hey, Sophie," Ethan greeted with his usual casual charm, slipping in with the ease of someone who'd done this a hundred times.

Sophie wiped her hands on her apron, trying to act casual. "Hey, Ethan. You're here early today."

He glanced at the clock on the wall and shrugged. "Thought I'd catch you before the rush." His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary, a flicker of something she couldn't quite place. "So, what are you baking today?"

Sophie chuckled, gesturing to the trays of golden-brown pastries around her. "Nothing too special. Just the usual suspects. Cinnamon rolls, croissants, a few experimental scones."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Experimental? I think I'm intrigued."

"Do you really want to be the guinea pig?" Sophie teased, leaning against the counter, folding her arms. She wasn't sure what to make of the way he was looking at her, like he was studying her for something. It made her a little self-conscious.

"Hey, I trust you," Ethan said, stepping closer, his voice low and teasing. "But if I end up with a stomachache later, you're buying me a coffee."

Sophie smiled, the warmth in her chest slowly returning as she met his gaze. "Deal. But you're going to love them. I've been perfecting this recipe."

"I'll be the judge of that," Ethan said, but there was a softness to his voice, something that wasn't quite the usual playful banter. He looked at her for a beat longer than she expected, and for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the room.

Breaking the silence, Sophie cleared her throat. "So, what's up? You stopping by for a snack, or...?"

Ethan shrugged, his hands slipping into his jacket pockets. "I thought we could go grab a coffee," he said casually, but the way his words lingered in the air made Sophie wonder if there was more behind it. "You know, a little post-baking coffee break. My treat."

Sophie hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She'd been working nonstop lately, but something about the idea of stepping out of the bakery, spending a little more time with Ethan, felt like it might be exactly what she needed. Maybe she needed a break from the routine. Maybe she needed something—or someone—unexpected.

"Alright," she said, her voice a little quieter than before. "Let's go."

They stepped outside into the crisp afternoon air, and Sophie pulled her jacket tighter around her shoulders, suddenly aware of how close Ethan was walking beside her. The sidewalk was mostly empty, the distant sounds of the city muffled by the thickening fog rolling in from the coast.

"So, where are we going?" Sophie asked, trying to keep her voice light, like the tension between them wasn't real, wasn't there.

Ethan glanced over at her, his gaze steady, his smile softer. "I thought we could try that new café down the street. I heard they have amazing hot chocolate."

Sophie raised an eyebrow. "Hot chocolate?" she teased. "I'm pretty sure you came for the coffee, not something so sweet."

Ethan grinned. "Maybe I'm just trying to impress you."

Sophie blinked, not sure if he was serious or not, but the playful edge in his voice made her heart skip nonetheless. They walked in comfortable silence for a few moments, their steps in sync, before they arrived at the small café tucked between two tall buildings. The smell of rich coffee and freshly baked goods filled the air as they stepped inside.

"See?" Ethan said, looking around with a satisfied nod. "This place has atmosphere."

Sophie smiled, looking around at the cozy setting. The café was warm, with exposed brick walls, twinkling fairy lights strung up along the ceiling, and the soft hum of a jazz playlist in the background. The atmosphere was inviting, a perfect contrast to the cold outside.

They ordered their drinks at the counter, and then, after a brief exchange of joking about the choices, they found a small table by the window. Sophie took a sip of her cappuccino, letting the creamy warmth spread through her, while Ethan took a slow sip of his coffee, his eyes studying her with that quiet intensity that made her heart race.

"So," Sophie began, trying to break the growing tension in the air, "how's life been treating you lately? Besides stopping by my bakery every morning."

Ethan put down his cup, his fingers tracing the edge of the ceramic. "It's been... okay," he said, his smile faltering just slightly. "Busy. Work's a little overwhelming, but I can handle it."

Sophie nodded, sensing there was more there, but she didn't push. Instead, she focused on the warm, inviting space around them. "I get it. This place has become my escape, really. Just the baking... it's my way of clearing my mind. Sometimes I think I might go crazy if I didn't have this."

Ethan studied her closely, his gaze not leaving her face. "I get that. Finding something that grounds you. I think... I think that's why I keep coming back here. Not just for the cupcakes," he added with a grin. "But because there's something... peaceful about it. And about you."

The words hit Sophie harder than she expected. She blinked, unsure how to respond, the air suddenly thick with an emotion that wasn't as lighthearted as it had been before. Ethan wasn't joking. She could see it in his eyes.

"Ethan..." she started, her voice quiet, unsure of where to go with this. But before she could say anything more, he cut her off, his expression turning more playful again.

"I mean it," he said, his voice soft but carrying the weight of sincerity. "I'm glad I met you, Sophie. For more reasons than just the food."

Sophie's heart skipped, and she swallowed hard, unsure how to process the way his words seemed to pierce straight through her usual calm. "I'm glad, too," she said softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I didn't think I'd find someone who could make me smile this much... especially over a cup of coffee."

Ethan chuckled, his grin returning, but there was still something different in the air between them. Something that had shifted. Sophie could feel it, the way the conversation had moved from casual to something more—something real.

For the rest of their time in the café, they talked easily, the awkwardness melting away, but neither of them could shake the feeling that something had changed. Something had clicked. And Sophie wasn't sure what to do with that, but for the first time in a long while, she was okay with it.