The rain fell in a steady hush against the glass, softening the usual chatter inside Maple & Ink, Lila's favorite café tucked between a flower shop and a bookstore. Her sketchbook sat open in front of her, half-filled with charcoal swirls of raincoats, umbrellas, and wistful eyes.
She liked this spot. Always the same barista, always the same table by the window, and never anyone who asked more than a polite nod. Safe. Predictable.
Until he sat down.
"Is this seat taken?"
The voice was warm, deep, and unfamiliar.
Lila looked up, startled. A man stood there with damp curls clinging to his forehead, a laptop in one hand and a crooked smile in the other. She blinked at him—he was definitely not part of her usual café landscape.
"I—uh, no. It's fine," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
He took the seat across from her without hesitation, setting up as if he'd done this a thousand times. "Thanks. Power outlet goldmine over here, huh?"
Lila gave a polite laugh, unsure whether to keep drawing or flee. But something about him made her stay. Maybe it was the easy way he didn't press, or the gentle focus he gave to his screen.
They didn't speak for the next forty minutes.
Then, just as she reached for her coffee, he glanced up and said, "You always draw people in the rain?"
Her heart skipped. "You were watching?"
"Only a little," he grinned. "I like how you see the world."
Before Lila could respond, a loud ding came from behind the counter. The barista called out, "Order for Nathan!"
He stood, gave her one last smile, and walked away.
Lila turned back to her sketchbook—and froze.
He had drawn something on the corner of her page: a tiny umbrella, with the words "see you tomorrow?" written beneath.