SCARS OF THE HEART CHAPTER TWO - A RETURN VISIT
The morning rush at Harbor Brews was in full swing. Cups clattered, milk frothed, and Sophie's cheerful chatter filled the air as Bella worked quietly behind the counter.
It was routine. Predictable. Safe.
Until the bell above the door chimed.
Bella glanced up—and there he was again. Ethan Walker. Same messy hair, same half-tied suit, but this time he didn't stumble. He walked in with a confidence that unsettled her more than his clumsiness yesterday.
Her chest tightened. She told herself it was annoyance. Nothing more.
"Morning," Ethan said casually, stepping up to the counter like he belonged there. "One long black, extra shot."
Bella scribbled the order down without looking at him. "Coming right up."
Sophie nudged her with a grin as she passed. "Back again already? Someone must *really* like our coffee."
"Best in Sydney," Ethan replied smoothly, his gaze lingering on Bella just long enough to make her uncomfortable.
She focused on the machine, pretending not to notice. But she did notice—too much. The way his voice carried a warmth that clashed with the polished exterior of his suit. The way he didn't look at anyone else.
She slid his cup across the counter a little too firmly. "Here. Try not to trip on your way out this time."
Ethan chuckled, accepting the cup. "Noted." He took a careful sip, then tilted his head. "Stronger than yesterday. You adjusted it."
"It's what you ordered," Bella said flatly.
"But you remembered."
The words caught her off guard. She hadn't even realized she did.
Sophie, of course, jumped in with a mischievous smile. "Bella remembers *everything*. Names, orders, embarrassing trips over welcome mats…"
Ethan laughed under his breath, eyes still on Bella. "Good to know."
Bella busied herself with the register, refusing to let him see the way her pulse had quickened. Customers came and went every day. Most blurred into background noise. But Ethan Walker was… different. Too observant. Too interested.
And interest was dangerous.
"Enjoy your coffee," she said curtly, signaling the conversation was over.
Ethan lingered a second longer, as if weighing whether to say more. Then he simply gave a small nod, almost like a silent promise, and walked out.
The bell chimed again, leaving only the hum of the café.
Sophie leaned close, whispering like a conspirator. "He'll be back. I can feel it."
Bella swallowed, staring at the empty space he had left behind.
She told herself Sophie was wrong. That he was just another customer. That it didn't matter if he came back or not.
But deep down—deeper than she wanted to admit—she wasn't so sure.