Ethan waited by the car quietly, hands in his pockets, watching Amelia approach with a gentleness he didn't try to hide. The morning sun lit her hair softly, and for a moment, he looked like he completely forgot the rest of the world existed.
Amelia reached him, her steps small but sure.
She wasn't trembling.
Not like before.
Today, it felt different—warmer, more certain, as though something had settled inside her overnight.
Ethan opened the passenger door slowly.
"Let me," he said softly.
Amelia felt her breath catch, but she nodded and slipped into the seat. Ethan closed the door gently—carefully, almost reverently—before walking around to his side.
When he sat down beside her, neither of them spoke at first.
Then Ethan turned toward her.
"Thank you for letting me pick you up," he said quietly.
"You asked," she murmured.
"And I… wanted to say yes."
His lips curved into a soft smile.
"That means a lot."
Amelia turned slightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"What are we doing today?"
Ethan rested his hands lightly on the steering wheel, eyes warm on her.
"I thought we could get coffee," he said.
"Somewhere quiet."
Then he added gently,
"Somewhere you'll feel comfortable."
A soft flutter filled her chest.
"You always think about that," she whispered.
"I always think about you," he replied.
Her breath stilled.
Ethan noticed and softened his voice.
"I don't want to overwhelm you."
"You're not," she whispered.
"You're… making this easier."
He inhaled slowly, almost like her words settled somewhere deep inside him.
"Then I'm glad."
He started the engine.
The soft purr filled the space, but the gentle silence between them remained warm.
As they drove, Amelia glanced at him—carefully at first, then a little longer.
"Ethan," she said quietly.
"Yes?"
"You seem calmer today."
He chuckled softly.
"I'm trying very hard to be."
"Why?"
"Because I didn't want to show up at your building looking like I ran a marathon."
She blinked.
"Why would you—?"
"You said yes," he murmured.
"To seeing me again. So soon."
Her cheeks warmed.
"You were excited," she whispered.
"Very," he admitted.
Amelia smiled small and shy, then looked out the window as her heart filled with a warm rush.
Ethan parked outside a small café tucked away on a quiet street. The windows were fogged slightly with warmth, and the smell of fresh pastries drifted through the open door.
"It's peaceful," Amelia said softly.
"I hoped you'd like it," Ethan murmured.
As they walked inside, Ethan kept a respectful distance—close enough that she felt supported, but never crowding her.
They chose a small table by the window.
Amelia sat first. Ethan slid into the seat across from her, his eyes lingering on her face with quiet affection.
"What would you like?" he asked.
She hesitated.
"What are you getting?"
"Probably a cappuccino," he said.
"And maybe something sweet."
Amelia's cheeks pinkened.
"I'll have the same."
Ethan stood.
"Stay here. I'll get it."
When he returned with two warm cups and a small plate of pastries, Amelia's eyes widened slightly.
"You brought two."
"You might like one," Ethan said gently.
"And if you don't, I'll finish them."
She laughed—a soft, genuine sound he stopped moving for.
"Okay."
They sipped their drinks in a comfortable silence.
Every time Amelia glanced up, Ethan was already looking at her.
Not staring.
Just watching her with that quiet warmth that made her insides glow.
After a moment, Amelia set her cup down.
"Ethan," she said softly.
"Yes?" he replied, instantly attentive.
"Last night… I meant everything I said."
His breath caught.
"And this morning too," she added, voice trembling with honesty.
"I wanted to see you. I wanted to say yes."
Ethan leaned forward slightly, hope lighting his eyes.
"Amelia…" he whispered, "you have no idea what that means to me."
She smiled, shy and honest.
"I think I do," she said softly.
He reached across the table slowly—giving her time to pull away.
She didn't.
He placed his hand over hers, warm and gentle.
"You make me want to be careful," he murmured.
"And also brave."
Amelia's fingers curled around his.
"You make me want to be brave too," she whispered.
The moment stretched between them—
soft, glowing, full of new beginnings.
Ethan rubbed his thumb slowly across her knuckles.
"I… don't want this to end when the coffee does," he murmured.
Amelia looked up, her heartbeat soft but steady.
"It doesn't have to," she whispered.
"I want more time with you."
His breath hitched in the faintest, sweetest way.
"Then I'm yours," he murmured,
"for as long as you want me."
Her heart fluttered in a warm, rising wave.
And there, in the quiet café with sunlight warming the window,
Amelia and Ethan held each other's hands—
letting something gentle and beautiful bloom between them,
steady as morning light.