Chapter 1: Introduction
The sun cast dappled light through the lace curtains, painting Ellie's wavy brown hair as she stepped through the doorway of the beachside cafe. The morning was warm and the sea breeze playful, welcoming Ellie with a familiar, salty kiss. She looked around, taking in the worn wooden chairs, the friendly murmur of patrons, and the heavenly sound of coffee machines hissing in the corner.
"Hey, you made it!" Josh stood up from his spot next to Jackson, waving Ellie over.
"Jackson, this is my girlfriend, Ellie. I don't think you two have officially met yet."
Jackson coolly looked up from his coffee cup, those dark eyes lingering on Ellie for a moment before he replied, "No, we haven't. It's nice to finally meet you, Ellie." He extended his hand with a crooked smile.
Hesitating just a bit, Ellie took his hand, feeling a spark of electricity shoot up her arm. Her heart skipped a beat, and her senses heightened immediately. *What on earth was that*?
Ellie thought, trying to compose herself as she sat down next to Josh. Her mind raced, torn between admitting how she had felt that sudden connection and brushing it off as static shock.
Josh slid an arm around her shoulders, asking, "So, Ellie, how's your week been? Anything exciting?"
With a casual smile, she summarized her last few days without giving away her newfound fascination with Jackson, "Same old stuff, really.
Work, a new recipe I tried, and some time with my girlfriends."
*Interesting*, Jackson thought, his gaze never leaving Ellie. She had a glow around her, an irresistible allure that he couldn't put his finger on. It was different from anything or anyone else he had encountered.
Josh interjected, seemingly unaware of the underlying tension between them, "We should plan a double date sometime soon, Ellie and I. It's been too long!"
Jackson faked a smile, replying, "Definitely.
That’d be fun.”
Pretending to peruse the menu, trying to conceal her unyielding curiosity, Ellie studied Jackson from the corner of her eye. He had his guard up, and yet she couldn’t help but feel more drawn to him. Witty banter between Josh and Jackson picked up, giving Ellie an opportunity to observe Jackson more closely. Each time he laughed, his eyes lit up and her heart beat a little faster.
Ellie glanced down at her menu, unable to focus on a single item.