Chapter 5 - Evania
Monday dragged on like it had something to prove.
The shop was quiet—too quiet—and boredom pressed in so heavily my eyes stung. Mondays were always slow, but today felt especially cruel. I leaned against the counter, staring at empty tables, wishing time would move faster.
My book lay nearby, finished and abandoned. The cliffhanger had drained me more than I wanted to admit. I hated endings like that - leaving everything hanging in the air. It had followed me into work, leaving me irritable, restless, and completely out of patience.
I glanced at the clock, seriously considering closing early.
That was when the bell above the door rang.
I looked up and froze.
The handsome stranger from a few days ago stood in the doorway, his presence as refreshing as it was surprising.
My heart skipped, then surged, curiosity bubbling up before I could stop it.
I hadn't expected to see him again, but there he was, real and smiling at me like he was just as relieved as I was.
His shy, easy smile had me toning down my wide smile. I didn't want to scare him off, not when he just showed up after days of absence. When he walked toward me, my pulse picked up, every step drawing him closer until he was standing in front of the counter.
"Hi, I don't know if you remember me. I was in here a few days ago, my name is Callahan," he said.
"Hi," I replied, my voice softer than I intended. "I'm Evania, and yes, I remember you."
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence stretched, warm and charged, as if something were about to snap. I wasn't sure what was happening, but I knew I didn't want it to end. There was just something so inviting about his presence.
"I was wondering," he said finally, rubbing the back of his neck, "if you'd like to go out with me."
I stared at him in shock as the reality of his words took its time to really sink in.
Did he just ask me out on a date? I continued to observe him, unsure what to say or do.
For some reason, I found it hard to believe that this Adonis of a man was asking me out, but the way he stared at me, waiting for a response, made it feel that much more real.
He was asking me out.
"Are you asking me out on a date?"
"Yes, I am."
My breath caught, surprise and excitement crashing together, and before doubt could creep in even further, I nodded. "I'd like that."
Relief flashed across his face, followed by a smile that made my heart flutter. "Really?"
"Yes," I said, smiling back.
He told me where he wanted to take me, and my eyebrows lifted when I recognized the name. It was one of those high-end restaurants in the heart of the city. Fancy. Intimate. The kind of place that was perfect for a first date.
"I'll meet you there," I said, unwilling to share my address with him so soon. He was handsome, but it would take a lot more than good looks for me to completely lose it. "If that's okay."
"Of course," he said immediately. "That's perfect."
We shared another look then, lingering, unspoken tension humming between us.
"I'll see you tonight at eight," he said.
"I'll be there."
The bell chimed again when he left, and the shop fell silent once more—but now it felt different. My boredom evaporated, replaced by a sweet, electric anticipation, and for the first time all day, I grinned without restraint.
The rest of the day flew by a lot faster than I thought it would.
One moment, I was glancing at the clock behind the counter, mentally begging it to move faster, and the next I was blinking in surprise because somehow the afternoon had slipped through my fingers without me even realizing it.
Customers came and went in a steady rhythm—coffee orders, polite smiles, familiar faces—but I moved through it all on autopilot.
My body did what it had done a thousand times before, while my mind stayed somewhere else entirely.
I wiped counters that were already clean. I rearranged pastries that hadn't moved in hours. I checked the register twice just to give my hands something to do. Every so often, the thought of my upcoming date crept back in, and my stomach would flutter all over again.
As soon as the last customer stepped out the door, the bell above it chimed softly in their wake.
I didn't hesitate. I locked up immediately, sliding the key into the deadbolt and turning it with more urgency than necessary.
The quiet that followed felt heavier than usual, like the shop itself knew I was in a hurry.
I grabbed my bag, flipped off the lights, and practically sprinted to my car.
The drive home was a blur. I remember stopping at red lights, drumming my fingers against the steering wheel, staring straight ahead while my thoughts spiraled in every direction at once. By the time I pulled into my apartment parking lot, my chest felt tight with a mix of excitement and nerves.
Once inside, I kicked off my shoes and headed straight for the bathroom.
I took my time in the shower, the warm water beat down on my shoulders, steam filling the small space until the mirror fogged over completely.
For a few minutes, it was just me and the sound of the water, and I let myself breathe.
I took that time to remind myself that this wasn't a big deal, that people went out on dates all the time.
When I finally stepped out, wrapped in a towel, I checked the time on my phone.
I had an hour left to get read. Which was exactly when I decided it was time to tell my family.
I should probably focus more on putting myself together; on the other hand, I needed my family's support.
The last guy I dated was a complete ass, and I was freaking out a little at jumping back into the dating world.
I scrolled through my contacts and tapped Elena's name before I could second-guess myself.
She picked up on the second ring. "Hey sis-"
"I'm going on a date," I blurted out before she could even finish her sentence.
There was a brief, dangerous silence.
"I'm sorry," she said slowly. "You're doing what?"
"I'm going on a date," I repeated, bracing myself.
Her gasp was loud enough that I pulled the phone away from my ear. "Since when do you spring life-altering information on people like that?"
"It's not life-altering," I argued. "It's just dinner."
"That's how it starts," she said ominously. "Who is he?"
Before I could answer, I heard the familiar sound of another call coming in.
"Elena," I warned.
She didn't even pretend to feel bad. "Hold on."
The screen shifted as she added another caller.
Then another.
I stared at my phone in disbelief as faces popped up one by one.
Sabrina and Serena appeared first, framed side by side as if they'd planned it. Sabrina's expression was sharp and assessing, already suspicious. Serena looked delighted, eyes bright with curiosity and barely contained excitement.
"Oh," Serena said, grinning. "I knew this day would come."
"I didn't," Sabrina added. "I thought she'd join a convent."
"I'm not that jaded," I said defensively. "And it's just a date."
"Okay, pause," Sabrina said, holding up a hand. "Who is he?"
"I'm not giving you his full name," I said immediately, only now realizing that I didn't know it myself. Maybe this date was a bad idea.
"Red flag," she replied without missing a beat.
"Where did you meet him?" Serena asked.
"At work," I said carefully.
"Double red flag," Sabrina muttered.
I rolled my eyes. "It's fine. It's not like we're coworkers."
Before either of them could press further, another square appeared on the screen. Allister, my one and only brother. The oldest of us all. He didn't say anything at first. He just looked at me, as if he knew this intervention was about my dating life.
"Eva's going on a date," Elena chimed, ignoring the glare I shot in her direction.
"Who is he?" he asked finally.
"Why is that always the first question?" I sighed.
"Because," he said evenly, "it's the most important question."
I shrugged. "He asked me out. I said yes. That's all there is to it. If there's more to tell, I'll fill you in."
Serena leaned closer to her camera. "Do you want us to do recon?"
"No," I said instantly.
"We could sit nearby," Sabrina added. "Blend in and observe."
"You don't blend in," I reminded her.
Serena pouted. "Rude."
"I can take care of myself," I said firmly, regretting this entire call. "I don't need surveillance."
They exchanged a look—one that made it very clear they didn't fully believe me—but after a moment, Sabrina sighed. "Fine," she said. "But text us when you get there."
"And when you leave," Serena added.
"Just share your location with us," Elena continued. "I'll make sure the twins won't show up."
That was when Allister spoke again. "Bring your pepper spray."
I blinked. "I wasn't planning on being attacked."
"I'm planning for the possibility," he replied calmly. "Just in case."
Serena nodded solemnly. "So he doesn't have to go to jail."
"I would," Allister said without hesitation.
I smiled despite myself. "Okay. I'll bring it."
That seemed to satisfy them, at least a little.
"Well," Elena said, her voice softening, "we're happy for you."
"Very happy," Serena added. "We honestly thought you were going to die alone."
I gasped, clutching my chest dramatically. "I'm offended."
Sabrina shrugged. "Statistically—"
"I'm hanging up," I said quickly.
They laughed, voices overlapping as they wished me luck, told me to be careful, and promised to interrogate me later. One by one, they dropped off the call until the screen went dark. The apartment felt quieter after that.
I set my phone down and finished getting ready, moving with a steadier confidence than before. I grabbed my bag, double-checked my keys, and—after a brief pause—slipped my pepper spray into the side pocket.
Just in case.
Then I headed out, locked the door behind me, and got into my car. As I pulled out of the driveway and started toward the restaurant, my heart beat a little faster, but this time, I didn't try to stop it.