Chapter Twenty-Seven: Coffee, Chaos, and Confessions
(Ria's pov)
The little café smelled of cinnamon, roasted coffee beans, and soft indie music.
I slid into the booth across from Miles, heart already thumping from just being near him.
"Threads," he said, smirking like he owned the world — and somehow, he owned me too.
"I'm not your…" I started, but he cut me off with a raised finger.
"No, no. Don't. Just… look at this," he said, pointing to a tiny paper cup.
Inside was a miniature paper boat floating on top of my hot chocolate. Scribbled on the side:
Threads… will you be my girlfriend?
I blinked. "Wait… what?"
Miles leaned closer, smirk softening. "I asked you… in my way. That's all."
I felt my stomach flip, my chest tightening. "You… you're insane."
"Maybe," he said, shrugging. "But you kinda like it."
I laughed nervously, heart racing, hands shaking slightly as I picked up the boat. "Miles… yes. Of course, yes."
His grin widened, teeth flashing. He reached across the table, gently brushing my fingers. Sparks. Fire. Chaos. Perfect.
I glanced subtly toward the door — Ethan was there, helping Maya pick up a dropped scarf. He saw, I think, the gesture, and his lips pressed into a thin line. He smiled faintly, quiet, understanding, almost… accepting.
Miles leaned back, victorious. "Threads, officially mine. No refunds, no exchanges."
I laughed, leaning across the table just a little, brushing my shoulder against his. "You're ridiculous."
"Maybe," he whispered, "but you said yes."
And just like that, the world shrank to the two of us, the chaos, the sparks, and the quiet thrill of finally… something real.