Chapter 7
A Misheard Note
The following morning, Emma arrived at Café Starlight earlier than usual, ready to prep for a busy weekend. She hummed softly as she arranged pastries, lost in thought about last night’s jam session. Everything had felt perfect… until a glance at the café door brought an unexpected sight.
Ethan stood outside, chatting animatedly with a young woman she didn’t recognize. They laughed together, heads close, and for a moment, Emma felt a pang of jealousy twist in her chest.
“Just a friend, right?” she whispered to herself, trying to shake it off.
But when Ethan walked in moments later, Emma’s usual easy smile felt strained. “Morning,” he said cheerfully, oblivious to the tension she was holding.
“Morning,” Emma replied curtly, her voice sharper than she intended.
Ethan tilted his head, noticing her sudden coldness. “Emma… did I do something wrong?”
Emma hesitated, unsure if she should speak. “I… I saw you outside with someone. You looked… close.”
Ethan frowned, a flash of confusion crossing his face. “Oh! That’s my cousin, Lily. She’s visiting for the weekend. I didn’t realize you’d see us.”
Emma felt heat rise to her cheeks. “Oh… I—I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions.”
Ethan’s expression softened, and he reached out to touch her hand lightly. “Hey, it’s okay. I get it. I’d feel the same if I saw you with someone else. But you don’t need to worry—there’s no one else.”
Emma looked down at their hands, feeling the tension dissolve slightly. “I guess I’m just… overthinking things,” she admitted.
“You’re not the only one who overthinks,” Ethan said with a small smile. “We’ll just have to promise to talk things through, yeah? No more misheard notes.”
Emma laughed softly, a hint of relief in her voice. “Promise.”
By the time the café filled with customers, the brief misunderstanding had passed, leaving behind a subtle awareness: their connection was real, but it would require trust, patience, and honesty.
And despite the small tension, Emma felt her heart flutter with excitement—because even challenges seemed easier when faced together.