Intro. She sat across from me in this cozy little café, fingers wrapped around her drink like she was keeping it warm — or maybe it was keeping her calm. The lights above caught in her hair, giving it this soft golden glow, and for a second, I almost forgot how to breathe.
“You know,” I said with a grin, “if you keep looking that good while ignoring me, I might start getting jealous of your latte.”
She laughed — that kind of laugh that’s light, genuine, and just a little dangerous. “Maybe you should try harder to compete,” she said, tilting her head with that teasing smile that made time feel slower.
Challenge accepted.
The more we talked, the easier it felt. She had this way of leaning in when she listened — eyes focused, lips curved slightly, like every word actually mattered. And when she smiled, it wasn’t just polite; it was the kind that made you want to say something funny just to see it again.
I told her she made the place feel warmer. She said I made it louder. Fair trade.