Dumb & Poetic - hs

Rain drummed against the windows of the café, a steady rhythm that softened the low hum of conversation and the faint clinking of cups. Claire Morrone stood behind the counter, her fingers absently fiddling with the edge of her apron as her eyes drifted to her notebook lying open on the counter. A half-finished lyric stared back at her, mocking in its incompleteness.

The bell above the door jingled, and a gust of wind carried in a drenched figure. Claire glanced up, offering her standard, polite smile-until she recognized him.

Harry Styles.

The Harry Styles, hair dripping, clothes clinging to his frame, and an air of untouchable charm despite the weather. He pulled his hood back, shaking off droplets like a stray dog finding shelter.

"Rough out there," he said, his voice warm, deep, and effortlessly disarming.

"Coffee?" Claire asked, grabbing a cup before he even nodded.

He slid onto a stool at the counter, his green eyes scanning the room before landing on her notebook. "You a poet?"

"Not really." She closed the notebook a little too quickly, her cheeks warming.

Harry chuckled, a low, melodic sound. "Always wanted to be a poet. Never quite made it past the 'dumb' part."

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short story