the unease in her chest. She had tried to shake it off, to convince herself that it was no big deal. After all, Olivia had the right to explore whatev

o'clock, the time when Olivia had told her she would be meeting Noah for coffee. A tightness formed in Emily's stomach, and she fought the urge to

self-recrimination could s

eet, but I'm not sure what I'm feeling ye

en interested in Noah before their coffee date, but now it seemed like something deeper was starting to take root. She had described him in such vivid detail

Glad it went well. I'm sure you'll figure

sponded. Thanks, Em. I will. G

sitting across from each other, the sparks that must have flown between them. What would it be like to sit in that same café, to

ed a dis

-an old, cozy shop filled with the scent of paper and ink. She wandered the aisles aimlessly, trying to lose h

, and Emily glanced up. She didn't expect to see Noah standing in the

surprised at how casual her voice sounded. He

ah, I guess I've become a regular here. I like

"Yeah, I do. It's one of my favorite spots. You can usua

"Sounds like you have the right i

range tension in the air, an unspoken connection that felt too heavy to ignore. She had always been able to rea

oah asked, his voice

ngers brushing the spine of a novel.

to the book in her hand. "What'

words slipped out. "Something with a lot of passion and heart. B

tful. "I think I'm the same way. Romance,

to say next. She didn't want to make things awkward, but something

said, attempting to break the growing tension.

now the weight of the situation hit her squarely in the chest. She couldn't escape the fact that Olivia had been on he

ut she had to leave early. Something ab

she didn't know what to say. Olivia had left early? That didn't seem like her. Emily trie

aid, forcing a smile.

s narrowing slightly. "Are yo

quickly pulled herself together. "Yeah,

en gave a soft chuckle. "Yeah, I get it.

Emily couldn't shake the feeling that Noah was testing her, pushing her to reveal something more. But sh

oah asked, shifting the conve

en back at him. "A mystery novel. I need someth

I think we could all u

and Noah, their connection, and what it meant for Emily's own growing feelings. She hadn't expected this-didn't

her voice quieter than she intende

warm smile. "It was nice running into you, E

n, felt too casual, too loaded with meaning all at once. She

he reached for the door, she

aid softly, the words lingering in t

r to feel it, sent a chill down her spine. She couldn't explain it, but she knew, deep down, that

eetlights casting long shadows along the pavement. F

ow, and things would n