The bell above the café door chimed just as I reached for my drink, a soft silver sound that barely rose above the low hum of conversation. Still, it made me glance up — and that’s when I saw him.

He stepped inside like he wasn’t entirely sure he belonged there, brushing snow from his dark hair, blinking against the sudden warmth. His eyes swept the room once, quick and searching, before landing on the only empty seat left — the one directly across from me.

Of course.

He hesitated, and for a second I thought he’d turn around and leave. But then he offered a small, apologetic smile, the kind that tugged at something in my chest.

“Is this seat taken?” he asked, voice low and warm.

I shook my head, trying to look casual even though my pulse had decided to sprint. “Go ahead.”

He sat, setting down a worn leather backpack that looked like it had stories of its own. Up close, he was even more distracting — sharp jaw, soft eyes, a tiny scar near his eyebrow that made him look like he’d lived a little. Or maybe a lot.

I tried to focus on my laptop screen, but the words blurred. He smelled faintly of cedar and winter air, and it was impossible to ignore the way he kept glancing at me, like he was trying to figure something out.

After a moment, he cleared his throat. “I’m new in town,” he said, almost sheepish. “Do you know if this place is always this busy?”

“Only when it’s cold enough to freeze eyelashes,” I said. “So… basically every day.”

He laughed — a real one, warm and surprised — and I felt ridiculously proud for being the cause of it.

“I’m Rowan,” he said, offering his hand.

I took it. His palm was warm, steady. “Lena.”

Something flickered in his expression, something curious and bright, like he’d just found the first clue in a mystery he didn’t know he was solving.

“Well, Lena,” he said, leaning back slightly, “I think this might be the best accidental seat choice I’ve made in a long time.”

I tried to play it cool, but my cheeks betrayed me with heat.

Outside, snow kept falling in soft, quiet sheets. Inside, the world felt suddenly smaller — like the universe had nudged two people a little closer, just to see what might happen.

And I had the strange, certain feeling that this wasn’t the last time Rowan and I would cross paths.

Not even close.