The city hummed with life as Emma stepped out of the café, the warm aroma of coffee clinging to her sweater. The late afternoon sun cast golden hues along the busy streets, making everything feel like a dream. She wasn't expecting anything extraordinary today—just another routine walk home, lost in her thoughts.
But fate had other plans.
As she rounded the corner, her shoulder bumped into someone, sending her coffee cup tumbling. A gasp escaped her lips as hot liquid splashed onto her coat. "Oh no, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, looking up to meet a pair of striking blue eyes.
"No, that was my fault," the man replied, his voice smooth and warm. He had dark hair tousled by the breeze, and a strong jawline softened by an apologetic smile. He quickly pulled out a napkin and handed it to her. "Here, let me help."
Emma took the napkin, dabbing at her coat. "Thanks... I should've been paying attention."
"No harm done. But I do feel guilty for ruining your coffee. Let me make it up to you?" he asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
She hesitated. She wasn't used to spontaneous encounters like this, but something about him made her heart race. "You don't have to."
"I insist. One coffee, just to make up for my clumsiness."
She studied him for a moment before a small smile curved her lips. "Alright. One coffee."
As they walked back to the café, she felt the weight of her past decisions pressing on her. She had spent years perfecting the art of blending in, of slipping away unnoticed, of never getting too close. And yet, here was this stranger—offering her something simple, something normal.
She wasn't supposed to stay in one place for too long. She wasn't supposed to let anyone in. But maybe, just this once, she could get away with it.