Chapter 13
A Surprising Visitor
The next morning, Café Starlight was unusually busy, a stream of customers moving in and out with orders and chatter. Emma had just finished arranging the pastries when the door jingled, and in walked a woman with a confident smile, scanning the café until her eyes landed on Ethan.
“Ethan! Fancy seeing you here,” the woman said, striding over.
Ethan’s smile faltered for a moment, though he quickly recovered. “Lily! What a surprise. She’s my cousin, Emma,” he said, glancing at Emma.
Emma’s heart sank slightly. She remembered Lily from the brief encounter a few days ago, but seeing her again—and so warmly interacting with Ethan—sparked a hint of jealousy she couldn’t shake.
“Hi, I’m Emma,” she said, trying to keep her tone light.
“Nice to meet you, Emma,” Lily said with a polite smile. “Ethan’s told me a lot about you. It sounds like you two get along really well.”
Emma forced a smile, though inside, she felt uneasy. Ethan stood close, seemingly oblivious to the tension growing in her chest.
After chatting briefly, Lily left, waving cheerfully. Emma exhaled, trying to calm herself. “You didn’t tell me she’d be back,” she said softly, trying to keep her tone neutral.
“I… I didn’t think it mattered,” Ethan said, scratching the back of his neck. “She just came by for a quick hello.”
Emma looked at him, searching his face for any sign of deceit. “I know,” she murmured. “It’s silly… I just—”
Ethan stepped closer, taking her hands gently in his. “Hey, Emma… you have nothing to worry about. You’re the one I care about. The rest is just noise.”
Emma’s heart softened at his words, and she squeezed his hands. “I know,” she whispered. “I just… I didn’t want to feel jealous.”
“Jealousy is human,” Ethan said with a playful smile. “But let’s make a deal: we trust each other, no matter who shows up.”
Emma nodded, feeling the tension fade. “Deal.”
As the café buzzed around them, Emma realized that challenges would come—but with honesty, trust, and a little courage, she and Ethan could face them together. And maybe, just maybe, that made their connection even stronger.