Page 7 of Designing Love
Ethan chuckles, knocking lightly against the sugar jar as he leans closer. “What felt different back then?”
“The blank slate,” I say, feeling the old excitement flicker. “No committees, no stakeholders — just me, a toolbox, and pure vision. Every creak in the floorboards sounded like a secret begging to be told.”
He nudges my saucer with a fingertip. “Sounds like you’re one sagging porch away from diving back in.”
“Maybe,” I tease, tapping his knuckle with my stir stick. “Find me that porch and we’ll talk.”
His grin spreads, just as the espresso machine lets out a triumphant squeal. “Challenge accepted. You deserve a project that lights that spark again.”
I meet his gaze over a swirl of latte foam, warmth settling in my chest. “Careful, Ethan. I might actually hold you to that.”
“That’s the plan,” he says, eyes twinkling. “I’m counting on it.”
I chuckle.Wouldn’t it be nice to find a project like this in Bluewater Cove?
“What about you? Any special talents besides stumbling gracefully into coffee shops?”
“Software engineer. Mostly freelance, which is a fancy way of saying I spend far too much time in sweatpants arguing with my laptop.”
I grin, imagining Ethan at home, hair messy, in front of a fancy computer set-up. “So, the glamorous pajama life, huh?”
“Exactly,” he laughs, leaning back in his chair. “Though sometimes, it’s nice to escape the computer screen and interact with actual humans.”
“Actual humans? Bold choice. We’re complicated creatures, you know. Full of questionable decisions and unpredictable coffee shop tumbles.”
Ethan raises an eyebrow, amused. “Speaking from recent experience?”
I gasp, placing a hand dramatically over my chest. “Are you accusing me of attracting drama? I saved you, remember? I’m practically a hero.”
He nods solemnly, lips twitching into a smile. “Oh, absolutely. I’m eternally in your debt. Should I get a cape made for you, or do heroes prefer crowns?”
“Definitely a cape. Crowns tend to slip, and we can’t have more accidents.”
Ethan’s eyes linger on mine, the playful spark softening into something sweeter, deeper.
Why is this so easy?
“So, interior designer-slash-hero, how long do you plan to grace our little town with your presence?”
“Honestly? I’m not sure yet. Long enough to figure out what’s next, or at least until the town runs out of coffee.”
He chuckles, shaking his head lightly. “Well, we have plenty of coffee here, so you might have to stay a while.”
“Careful. That sounds suspiciously like an invitation.”
His eyes sparkle with humor, but there’s a sincerity beneath it. “Maybe it is.”
I take the last sip of my coffee, noticing it’s grown lukewarm. Ethan watches with quiet amusement as I set my cup down. “Well, I should probably let you get back to your pajama-clad negotiations,” I tease lightly.
He chuckles. “And I wouldn’t want to interrupt your existential crisis.” He pauses, considering something. “But maybe we could continue this conversation sometime?”
“I’d like that,” I say softly, standing and gathering my things. “Thanks for the company, Ethan.”
“Anytime,” he replies, genuine warmth in his eyes. “See you around, Sophia.”
“Count on it,” I say, leaving the coffee shop with a smile that stays long after the door closes.
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