The cool autumn breeze was refreshing as Callie stepped out of the café, inhaling deeply to clear her head. The tension from her strange encounter still lingered, but she shook it off, choosing instead to walk toward the small park just a few blocks away. The trees had started shedding their leaves, creating a golden-brown carpet that crunched softly under her boots.
Finding an empty bench near the lake, she sat down and closed her eyes, allowing herself a rare moment of peace. The rhythmic lapping of the water against the shore was calming, a reminder of home—the lake house her parents owned, tucked far away from the city's relentless pace.
Just as she began to relax, movement beside her made her eyes snap open. There he was. The arrogant stranger from the café.
"You've got to be kidding me," she muttered under her breath.
He didn't respond, merely settling onto the opposite end of the bench, holding a fresh coffee in his hand. His presence was both irritating and oddly compelling. His face was calm, expression unreadable, as he stared straight ahead at the water.
"Are you following me now?" she asked, turning to glare at him.
He arched an eyebrow, finally glancing her way. "I could ask you the same thing."
She huffed, crossing her arms. "This is a public bench."
"Exactly."
They sat in an uncomfortable silence, neither willing to move. Callie tried to ignore him, focusing instead on the ducks gliding across the water. She told herself it was just a coincidence, that the city was big enough for them to run into each other without it meaning anything.
After what felt like an eternity, she decided she'd had enough. She pushed herself up from the bench, brushing imaginary dust off her jeans. "Well, enjoy your brooding."
He didn't respond, simply taking a slow sip of his coffee as she walked away. She ignored the strange shiver that ran down her spine, chalking it up to the cool air.
The walk home was peaceful, the quiet streets lined with trees that rustled softly in the wind. The neighborhood she lived in was a fair distance from the city, closer to nature and the lake house her parents had gifted her after they moved abroad. It was her sanctuary, a place untouched by the chaos of urban life.
But as she neared her house, a prickle of unease settled in her chest. A shadow moved at the edge of her vision, and when she turned, her breath hitched.
Him. Again.
"Are you seriously following me?" she demanded, spinning on her heel.
He stopped a few paces away, looking just as unimpressed as before. "I live here."
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
He nodded toward the house next to hers—a sleek, modern structure that had been unoccupied for months. "Moved in yesterday."
Callie stared at him, processing the revelation. Of all the places in the world, he had to move in next door?
"Great," she muttered sarcastically, turning back toward her door. "Just my luck."
As she stepped inside, she swore she heard the faintest chuckle behind her.