chapter 23

Chapter 22: The days following Lila’s conversation with Ethan felt like a fresh start. She had never been one to dwell on the past for too long, but now that she had cleared the air with him, she could finally put that chapter behind her. And while she didn’t expect everything to magically fall into place, she felt lighter somehow—freer.And then there was Ben.Lila had to admit that there was something undeniable between them now. It wasn’t just the cute coffee shop moments or the fleeting touches when their hands brushed in the kitchen. It was deeper than that. It was in the way he would show up every morning, as if he couldn’t bear to be anywhere else, and in the way he’d linger at the end of the night, even when his shift was over, just to help her clean up or keep her company. It was in the quiet exchanges of a smile or a look when words weren’t enough.But tonight—tonight felt different.It had started off as just another evening, with Lila finishing up the last batch of cookies before closing time. The café had emptied out, the buzz of the espresso machine the only sound filling the space. Ben had been hanging around longer than usual, absentmindedly stacking napkins while she worked, occasionally glancing up at her with that look she’d come to recognize—a combination of affection and something else, something a little bolder.Finally, Lila decided to break the silence.“Ben, do you ever get tired of this place?” she asked, her tone playful but curious.He blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Tired of this place?” He looked around the café as if considering it. “You mean the coffee, the pastries, the smell of vanilla and caffeine? No way.”She laughed, rolling her eyes. “Okay, you’re right. It’s pretty great here. But I meant... do you ever think about anything else? Like, you know, something outside of this? Something... bigger?”Ben tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as he thought about it. “You mean like what’s next?”“Yeah,” she said, pushing her hands into the flour-dusted counter. “Like... if you had no responsibilities here, nothing holding you back. What would you do?”For a long moment, Ben didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned back against the counter, his gaze shifting toward the window where the rain had started falling again, tapping softly against the glass. The evening had slipped into dusk, and the city outside had taken on that quiet, almost dreamlike quality.“I don’t know,” he said finally, a touch of hesitation in his voice. “I guess I’ve never really thought about it. I mean, I’ve always been... sort of where I am, you know? Just taking things day by day.”“Sounds like a nice way to live,” Lila mused, watching him carefully. “But do you ever think about going after something bigger? Like a... goal?”Ben’s smile was slow and a little wistful. “I don’t know, Lila. Sometimes I think I’m already living it. Maybe it’s a little simple, but I’m happy here. And I’m happy with you.”Lila’s heart fluttered at his words. She had always known he was the kind of person who valued the small, everyday moments, but hearing him say it so plainly, like it was all that mattered to him, made something warm stir inside her.“I’m happy with you, too,” she whispered, meeting his gaze. It was as if all the noise in the world had faded away, and it was just the two of them in this tiny corner of the café.The air between them thickened, charged with something unspoken. She could feel the weight of it, the connection that had been building ever since that first day they met. It wasn’t perfect, and it wasn’t without its bumps, but it was theirs. And that felt... right.Ben pushed away from the counter and moved a little closer, the soft sound of his boots against the wooden floor seeming louder in the quiet. He stood beside her now, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his presence, close enough that it was hard to ignore the pull between them.For a moment, neither of them spoke. They just stood there, looking at each other, both with a kind of softness in their eyes that felt new and familiar all at once.Ben reached out slowly, his hand brushing against hers. It was casual, the touch light, but it sent a ripple of something through her. He didn’t rush, didn’t force anything. He just waited.Lila hesitated, her heart in her throat, but then, almost instinctively, she placed her hand in his. The contact felt grounding, like everything was falling into place.“Lila,” Ben murmured, his voice a little rough. “I don’t know where this is going. But... I think I want to see. I want to find out with you.”Lila’s chest tightened at his words, and she didn’t know if she had ever felt so seen. So understood. This wasn’t about grand gestures, or declarations of love. It was about two people who had spent enough time together to know that something real was there—and they were both willing to see where it could go.“I want that too, Ben,” she said, her voice steady now, filled with the same quiet certainty. “I’m ready to see what happens next.”Ben smiled, that familiar, easy smile that made her heart feel lighter. “Good. Because, as much as I like this place... I think I might want to see the world with you.”The simple statement sent a spark through Lila. It wasn’t a promise of grand adventures or far-off destinations, but it was enough. Enough to know that whatever came next, they would face it together.Later That NightAfter closing up, Lila and Ben decided to take a walk through the rain-soaked streets of the city. It was late, but the air was cool and fresh, and the city looked different at night—still and peaceful. They walked side by side, barely speaking, just enjoying the comfortable silence between them.They didn’t have to say much. Their hands brushed occasionally, a fleeting touch that made both of their hearts race just a little faster. Every step felt like it was leading them somewhere, though neither of them knew exactly where that would be.When they reached a small bridge, Lila stopped and leaned against the railing, looking down at the water below. The city lights reflected off the surface, creating ripples of color that matched the fluttering in her chest.Ben stood beside her, his shoulder just barely touching hers. It was enough to feel the warmth of him, to feel the quiet intimacy of the moment.“Do you ever think about the future?” she asked, her voice soft, barely above a whisper.Ben didn’t answer right away. Instead, he took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the dark water below. “Sometimes. But not in the way I used to. I think... now, I just want to see what comes. With you.”Lila smiled, feeling something shift inside her. She turned toward him, meeting his eyes in the dim light. “Me too.”And for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t afraid of the unknown. She didn’t have all the answers. But with Ben beside her, she felt ready to find out what was waiting for them.