Isla blinked against the soft rays of sunlight streaming through the gaps in her curtains, her room bathed in a golden glow. She groaned, stretching lazily as her limbs tangled further into her duvet. A faint laugh escaped her lips as fragments of the previous night flickered in her mind—music, laughter, the clinking of glasses.
And then, his face.
Jack.
Her hand paused mid-stretch, hovering above her chest. She could picture him clearly: the way his brown curls fell just so over his forehead, the flush that crept up his cheeks when their eyes met. It hadn't been much—a few stolen glances, a hesitant smile—but the memory made her stomach flutter.
Isla turned over, burying her face in her pillow as if that could stop the quiet warmth spreading through her. She sighed and sat up, brushing her hair out of her face and squinting at her phone on the nightstand. A single notification from Jenna lit up the screen:
Brunch At 11. Don't be late, babe.
She glanced at the time—9:47. Enough to linger in bed, though she doubted she'd be able to stop thinking about the boy with the shy smile.
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By the time Isla arrived at the café, the others were already seated at a table on the patio. Jenna waved her over, her sunglasses perched high on her head. Jack was there too, leaning back in his chair, one hand loosely gripping a coffee cup. His eyes flicked up as Isla approached, widening slightly before he offered her a small, almost bashful smile.
"Morning!" Jenna chirped, pulling Isla into a quick hug. "Perfect timing—we just ordered, and don't worry I got your usual for you."
"Perfect, thank you" Isla replied, sliding into the empty seat beside Mason, directly across from Jack.
The group settled into easy conversation, recounting moments from the night before. Isla found herself laughing at Jenna's animated storytelling, but every so often, her gaze wandered. Jack caught her once or twice, his lips twitching into a half-smile before he looked away.
As brunch stretched on and they finished their meals, the group started to thin. Jenna and Mason ducked inside to settle the bill, while Jasmine and Devyn wandered off to check out a nearby shop. Leaving them in the same situation as the night before.
Jack shifted in his seat, his coffee cup now empty. "So.. did you have fun last night?" he asked, his voice quiet but steady.
Isla tilted her head, a smile tugging at her lips. "I did. Your group's great—made me feel really welcome." She paused, her eyes searching his. "What about you? You seemed... quieter than I expected."
Jack laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, well, I guess I was just... taking it all in." His gaze met hers for a heartbeat longer than before.
