sugar & shelves.

Chapter 6: A Little Closer

Sophie's fingers lingered on the rim of her coffee cup as she stared out the window of the café, the soft light filtering through the glass, casting warm shadows over the table. Ethan was still sitting across from her, his eyes focused on his empty cup, the edge of his smile not quite reaching his eyes anymore. It was like they'd crossed some invisible line—a shift that neither of them had expected but both were quietly feeling.

The conversation had slowed after that last exchange, each of them waiting, almost as if the space between them had grown just a little larger. The air was still comfortable, but there was an undertone of something else—something that hadn't been there before. Sophie wasn't sure what to do with the feeling of being on the edge of something new, something uncertain.

She fidgeted with the napkin on the table, her thoughts spinning. "So," she began, her voice a little more hesitant than she'd intended. "You really think you can handle my cupcakes?" she asked with a playful tilt of her head, trying to return to the ease they'd shared before.

Ethan looked up, a spark of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Oh, absolutely." He leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms across the backrest. "I mean, I can handle anything, Sophie."

Sophie raised an eyebrow, unable to suppress a small laugh. "I think you might be overestimating yourself. My cupcakes are... something else."

Ethan smirked, a soft laugh escaping his lips. "I guess I'll find out."

There was something unspoken between them, a subtle shift in the way their smiles met now, like they were both aware of the change but unsure how to address it. Ethan took a breath, the casual nature of his posture belying the flicker of something deeper in his gaze.

"You know," he said, his voice quieter than usual, "I like this. Being here with you. No expectations. Just... being. It's kind of nice."

Sophie's chest tightened a little, a warmth spreading over her that had nothing to do with the coffee. She wasn't sure how to respond, not without feeling like she was overthinking it. But his honesty—his genuine vulnerability in the moment—caught her off guard.

"I like it too," she said softly, meeting his eyes. There it was again, that flicker, a spark of something that neither of them had really acknowledged until now. It was there, and it was real, but it wasn't easy to say aloud.

Ethan studied her for a moment, his gaze never leaving hers. Then, a little to her surprise, he stood up, his movements slow and deliberate. "Come on," he said, extending a hand toward her. "Let's take a walk. I think I know a spot you'll like."

Sophie hesitated, her mind spinning. A walk? She'd never expected that. But the invitation felt warm, almost comforting, like he was offering her a piece of something more—something real. Something that was just theirs.

"Where are we going?" she asked, standing up slowly, glancing at his hand before meeting his eyes.

"Somewhere nice," Ethan said with a smile, a slight glint of mischief there, but there was something else in his expression—something softer, almost... unsure? "I think you'll like it."

Sophie took a breath, deciding to let go of her doubts for a moment. She placed her hand in his, feeling the warmth of his touch seep into her skin. It was surprising, how natural it felt. How right.

The two of them stepped outside together, the cool air wrapping around them as they walked side by side. The world felt quieter in that moment, like it was just them—two people walking down a street, discovering the spaces between them that had begun to feel like home.

They didn't say much as they walked, the silence comfortable, unforced. The city buzzed around them, but Sophie found herself focused on the way Ethan's hand still held hers, the gentle pressure between them, like he was grounding her. She didn't know exactly where they were going, but it didn't matter. For once, she wasn't thinking ahead. She was just... present.

They reached a park after a few minutes of walking, the soft rustle of leaves from the trees above adding a calming backdrop to the moment. It was a peaceful spot, tucked away from the noise of the main streets, with a small pond in the center. The water reflected the fading light of the day, casting soft ripples across the surface.

Ethan stopped at a bench near the edge of the pond and motioned for her to sit. "I thought you might like it here," he said, his voice softer now, more thoughtful. "It's one of those places where you can just... breathe."

Sophie sat down beside him, her heart fluttering again, but this time it felt different. There was a quiet understanding between them, something that had shifted, but it wasn't something to be scared of. It was just... new.

"I do like it," she said, her voice quiet. "It's perfect."

Ethan smiled, but it wasn't that playful grin she was so used to. This one was softer, more genuine. "I'm glad. I like spending time with you, Sophie. I wasn't sure how this would go, but... I'm glad we're here."

Her heart skipped again at his words. Sophie looked out at the pond, watching the colors of the sky shift as the sun began to set. "I'm glad too," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't expect this—" she stopped herself, shaking her head, unsure of how to finish the thought. But Ethan didn't need her to finish. He just leaned back against the bench, his eyes on the water, and let the silence fall comfortably between them.

They sat like that for a while, neither of them speaking, but both of them content in the shared space. Sophie couldn't explain what it was, but being here with Ethan felt... different. Not in the way she'd imagined, but in a way that made her feel like maybe, just maybe, they were both taking the first real steps toward something. Toward something new.

After a long silence, Ethan turned toward her, his expression unreadable for a moment. He looked almost hesitant, as if weighing his next words carefully.

"Sophie," he started, his voice low, "I don't want to rush anything, but... do you ever wonder if this could be more?"

Sophie's breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to pause. She met his gaze, and in his eyes, she saw the vulnerability she hadn't expected—the same uncertainty she felt—but also something more. Hope.

She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. What was she supposed to say? Did she want this to be more?

Before she could gather her thoughts, Ethan let out a breath, running a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated with himself. "Forget I said that," he muttered, as if embarrassed.

But Sophie didn't want him to forget it. She didn't want to brush it off. The question lingered in the air, and it wasn't something she could ignore. She looked at him again, her heart in her throat, and whispered, "I don't want to forget it."

The tension between them thickened, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was... real. And maybe, just maybe, it was exactly what they both needed.