Emma woke to the sound of raindrops tapping against her window. The memory of the stranger from last night's storm made her pulse quicken. She replayed the brief encounter over and over: his warm eyes, the gentle smile, the way his hand brushed hers.
By late morning, she found herself wandering into the small café near her office, a place she usually avoided because of the long lines. And then… There he was.
Sitting in a corner with a book, he looked up, his gaze meeting hers. He smiled and gestured for her to sit.
Emma hesitated. Her heart raced. "Uh… hi."
"Hi," he said warmly. "I'm Leo."
The sound of his name made her heart flutter in a way she didn't expect.
They spent the morning talking over steaming cups of coffee, sharing details about their favourite books, movies, and music. Emma found herself laughing freely, a lightness she hadn't felt in months. When she left, Leo handed her a napkin with his number.
"Call me sometime," he said with a teasing smile.
Emma clutched the napkin like it was the most precious thing she'd ever received, her heart a little lighter, a little happier, and entirely captivated.