The next morning, Lila arrived at Brewed Awakening five minutes early, her nerves jittering like a dancer before a performance. She'd chosen a simple sundress, her auburn hair swept into a loose bun. The café buzzed with the morning rush, the scent of espresso grounding her.
Ethan walked in at exactly 8:00, his presence commanding the room. He'd traded the suit for a navy blazer and jeans, his hair slightly damp from the spring drizzle outside.
"You showed," he said, sliding into the seat across from her.
"You doubted me?" Lila teased, pushing a latte toward him. "Consider this my apology."
He took a sip, his eyes never leaving hers. "Apology accepted. So, Lila Sterling, what's your story?"
She hesitated, then let the words spill out—her love for dance, her upcoming show, the funding crisis threatening to derail it. Ethan listened intently, his questions sharp but kind, like he genuinely wanted to know her.
"And you?" she asked, leaning forward. "What's a guy like you doing getting coffee with a stranger?"
Ethan's smile faltered, just for a moment. "I'm a financial consultant. I help companies make big decisions—mergers, acquisitions, that sort of thing. But lately, I've been… looking for something real. Something that matters."
His honesty disarmed her. They talked until the café emptied, the hours slipping away like a well-rehearsed routine. When they parted, Ethan's parting words echoed in her mind: "I'd like to see you again, Lila. No coffee required."