Chapter 4
Spills and Sparks
The café was busy that afternoon, a steady hum of conversation and clinking mugs filling the air. Emma balanced a tray of lattes and cappuccinos as she navigated between tables, her mind half on orders and half on Ethan, who was tuning his guitar in the corner.
“Careful!” Ethan called suddenly, his eyes widening just as a tray wobbled in her hands.
Emma stumbled, and in an almost slow-motion moment, one of the cappuccinos tipped, splattering foam onto the counter—and, unfortunately, onto Ethan’s shoes.
“Oh no!” she exclaimed, mortified.
Ethan looked down, then up at her, and instead of anger, a mischievous grin spread across his face. “Well, that’s one way to make an entrance,” he joked, lifting his foot and shaking off the foam.
“I’m so sorry!” Emma said, grabbing a cloth and dabbing at the mess. Her hands shook slightly, and Ethan reached out to help.
“Here, let me,” he said, and their hands brushed as he took the cloth from her. A spark shot through her at the simple touch.
Emma tried to focus on the counter instead of the warmth of his hand, but she felt her heart racing. “You’re… not mad?” she asked.
“Mad? No,” he said, stepping closer so they were almost shoulder to shoulder. “I think it’s kind of fun. Adds a little chaos to my day.”
Emma couldn’t help but laugh nervously. “Chaos, huh? That seems to follow you everywhere.”
“Maybe,” he said, tilting his head with a teasing smile. “But I like it when chaos comes with a smile like yours.”
Her cheeks warmed, and she busied herself with cleaning while he continued to strum softly on his guitar, filling the café with music that somehow made the foam incident feel like a tiny, magical moment.
By the time the café slowed down, Emma realized she hadn’t stopped smiling. Ethan had a way of making even spilled coffee feel like the start of something exciting.
And as he packed up his guitar that evening, he winked at her. “Tomorrow, I’ll try to keep my shoes away from your cappuccino.”
Emma laughed, feeling a flutter in her chest she couldn’t ignore. “I’ll hold you to that.”