Ethan's routine had settled into an unspoken rhythm. Every day, he returned to the coffee shop at the same time, waiting for the chance to see her again. It wasn't just about the thrill of seeing her now—it was more than that. Emma had become an obsession, an invisible thread woven into the fabric of his days. He couldn't quite explain it, but the need to be near her, to see her, had taken hold of him in a way that was impossible to ignore.
This time, he didn't just watch her from afar. He found himself lingering at the counter when she walked in, as though by chance. He could feel his heart race as she approached the register. She didn't notice him immediately, but when she did, she gave him a quick smile—one that was polite but distant, the kind of smile she would give a stranger. But to Ethan, it felt like an invitation.
He ordered his drink slowly, taking his time, though he knew he didn't need to. He wanted to stay in her orbit just a little longer. When she took her cappuccino from the counter, her fingers brushed against his for the briefest moment, a spark of contact that felt like an electric current.
For a split second, he thought she might pull away, might apologize or look uncomfortable, but instead, she simply gave him a look—a soft, almost unreadable glance before turning to find a seat. Her demeanor hadn't changed, but to Ethan, everything had shifted.
He followed her to the same far corner, though he kept his distance, pretending to be absorbed in the newspaper. The truth was, he couldn't help but watch her. She was engrossed in her phone again, her face illuminated by the screen, her brows furrowing slightly as she read. Ethan wondered what she was thinking, if she ever thought about him.
It wasn't until she stood to leave that he realized just how deep his feelings for her had gone. He wasn't just watching her anymore. He was waiting for her.
"Excuse me," he heard his own voice before he had time to think about it.
Emma looked up, a little startled, as if she hadn't expected anyone to speak to her. Ethan quickly straightened, trying to mask the nervousness creeping into his chest. "I—uh, I don't mean to interrupt," he stammered. "But I couldn't help but notice... I think we've seen each other here a few times now. I'm Ethan."
She studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable, before offering a polite nod. "Emma."
"I—uh, I come here a lot. I always see you... but I guess we've never really talked." He laughed awkwardly, a forced smile spreading across his face.
Emma's gaze flickered away, a brief flash of discomfort crossing her features. But she didn't seem entirely opposed to the conversation. "Yeah. I guess so."
There was a beat of silence, and then Ethan quickly filled it with a question he knew was a little too forward. "Do you come here often?"
Emma gave a slight shrug, her lips curling into a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Sometimes. Just when I need a break."
The conversation was awkward, strained even, but Ethan couldn't stop himself from pushing further. "Well, maybe we could—" He stopped himself, realizing how his words were spilling out too fast. "Maybe I could join you sometime. If you don't mind, I mean."
Emma hesitated, glancing at the door. Then she turned her gaze back to him, her expression unreadable. "I don't know. I'm kind of busy."
And just like that, the conversation fizzled. She gave him a polite nod and turned to leave, without another word.
Ethan stood still for a moment, watching her walk out of the coffee shop, feeling the faint sting of rejection. But it wasn't enough to make him stop. No, this was just the beginning. He would find a way to get closer. He had to.