Seth couldn't shake the image of Emma from his mind. He'd seen her laugh, seen the sparkle in her eyes, and it had stirred something within him. For the first time in a long while, he felt a glimmer of hope.
Determined to learn more about her, Seth found himself back at the bakery, this time entering as a customer. Emma was behind the counter, her hair tied back in a loose bun, flour dusting her cheeks. She smiled as she saw him, and Seth's heart skipped a beat.
"Welcome to the bakery," she said, her voice warm. "What can I get for you?"
Seth hesitated, unsure of what to say. He wasn't used to being around people like Emma, people who didn't know his true nature. "Just a coffee, please," he said finally.
As Emma worked on his drink, Seth couldn't help but notice the way her hands moved with precision, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled. He felt a pang of attraction, one he hadn't experienced in a long time.
When Emma handed him his coffee, their fingers touched briefly, and Seth felt a jolt of electricity. Emma seemed to feel it too, her eyes meeting his for a moment before she looked away.
"Thanks," Seth said, his voice low.
Emma nodded, her smile still in place. "You're welcome."
As Seth turned to leave, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror behind the counter. For a moment, he saw something different, something that didn't quite fit with the dark, troubled man he knew himself to be. He saw a glimmer of hope, a chance at redemption.