The café hummed softly around them—gentle clinks of cups, whispers of conversation, the low grind of the espresso machine—but none of it reached Amelia and Ethan in any real way.
Their small corner felt like its own world.
Amelia traced the rim of her cup lightly with her finger, the warmth soothing her, grounding her. Ethan still held her other hand, his touch warm but light—always leaving her room to pull away if she wanted to.
She didn't.
Not even a little.
Ethan's gaze softened as he watched her.
"You're quiet," he murmured.
"I'm thinking," she replied.
"About?"
"…Us."
Ethan's breath stilled, barely noticeable, but Amelia saw the change in his eyes—something deeper, something hopeful, something careful.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked.
Amelia hesitated.
Not because she didn't trust him—she did—but because she wasn't used to voicing her heart out loud.
Still, she nodded.
"I… don't know how to do this," she whispered.
Ethan leaned slightly closer, still holding her hand.
"Do what?"
"This," she said softly.
"Whatever we're becoming."
He didn't smile.
He didn't tease.
He listened—fully, openly.
"I'm learning how to let someone in," she continued, voice trembling honestly.
"And yesterday… everything felt different. You made me feel safe in a way I haven't in a long time."
Ethan's thumb brushed gently over her knuckles.
"And you made me feel seen," he murmured.
Amelia blinked, taken aback.
"Seen?"
"Yes," he said quietly.
"You don't pretend. You don't perform. You don't hide behind walls when you let yourself speak. It makes everything you say feel… real."
Her chest warmed.
"I'm trying," she whispered.
"You're doing beautifully," he repeated softly.
Silence settled again—warm, familiar.
Then Ethan took a slow breath.
"Amelia… can I tell you something?"
She nodded, heart fluttering lightly.
"I keep thinking about last night," he said, voice low.
"About the way you looked at me. The way you let me walk you home. The way you let me hold your hand."
Amelia felt her cheeks warm.
"I wanted all of that," she whispered.
"And I wanted more," Ethan replied, just as softly.
"But I didn't push. I didn't want you to feel rushed."
Her heart tightened gently—grateful, emotional.
"I know," she said.
Ethan exhaled, leaning back slightly but never letting go of her hand.
"I like you, Amelia," he said quietly.
"Not in a passing way. Not in a momentary way. I like you deeply. And I want to keep walking wherever this is going."
The words settled inside her like soft rain, gentle and warm.
She looked down at their joined hands, slowly brushing her thumb over his skin.
"I like you too," she whispered.
"More than I know how to say."
Ethan's jaw relaxed, relief and something tender flickering across his face.
"You just said it," he murmured.
Amelia laughed quietly—soft, almost shy.
"Ethan?"
"Yes?"
"What are we doing after this?"
He paused, thoughtful.
"Whatever makes you comfortable," he said.
"We could walk. Drive somewhere quiet. Sit by the water. Or… if you want, I can take you home and give you space."
Amelia shook her head quickly—instinctively.
"No," she said softly.
"I don't want space today."
Ethan's eyes softened into something warm and almost aching.
"Then come with me," he whispered.
"Let's walk somewhere peaceful."
Amelia nodded.
"I'd like that."
He finally released her hand gently, only to stand and step beside her. When she rose from her seat, Ethan instinctively rested his hand near the small of her back—
Not touching.
Just offering.
This time, Amelia moved slightly closer, allowing her back to brush his fingertips.
Ethan froze for half a second—surprised, touched—before he let his hand rest there lightly, guiding her out of the café with the softest, most respectful touch.
Outside, the air was crisp and bright.
Birds chirped somewhere in the distance.
The street was quiet.
Amelia inhaled deeply, feeling something inside her settle.
Ethan looked at her, voice warm.
"Ready?"
She stepped closer to him—deliberate, gentle.
"Yes," she whispered.
"I'm ready."
And together, they walked down the small street—
side by side,
closer than before,
their quiet connection deepening with every step.