THE MAN HE SHOULDN'T NOTICE
1333 Words
CHAPTER THREE
Nolan had a problem.
He had started noticing Adrian.
Not just as the handsome man who had moved into the house next door.
He was noticing him in ways that were becoming difficult to ignore.
It started the next morning when Adrian walked into the café.
Nolan was carrying a tray of fresh pastries when he looked up and nearly walked into the counter.
Adrian stood by the door.
Again.
Same calm expression.
Same quiet confidence.
Different effect.
“Morning,” Adrian said.
Nolan quickly placed the tray down.
“You're early.”
“I was told to become a regular.”
Nolan smiled.
“I'm beginning to think you took that personally.”
“Perhaps I did.”
Adrian walked to his usual seat.
His usual seat.
It had only been two days.
Nolan shook his head and returned to work.
“Black coffee?”
Adrian looked up.
“You remembered.”
“You've ordered it twice.”
“Still.”
Nolan carried the coffee to his table.
“Do you always work this early?” Adrian asked.
“Almost every day.”
“Do you ever take a day off?”
“Sometimes.”
“When?”
Nolan smiled.
“When I forget I'm responsible for this place.”
Adrian chuckled.
Nolan liked that sound far too much.
Before he could say anything else, Liam walked in.
“Dad, you're already here?”
Adrian looked at his son.
“I own a car. I can move around.”
Liam rolled his eyes.
“I meant why are you here so early?”
Adrian glanced at Nolan.
“I wanted coffee.”
Liam looked at the untouched cup.
“You don't even like coffee that much.”
Nolan covered a laugh.
Adrian gave his son a look.
Liam grinned.
“I'll sit over there.”
He pointed toward a table.
Nolan brought him a pastry without asking.
Liam smiled.
“See? This is why you're my favorite.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“I'm your father.”
“You're still second.”
Nolan laughed.
Adrian shook his head, but a smile remained on his face.
Watching them together made Nolan feel strangely warm.
He noticed the little things Adrian did for his son—the way he reminded Liam to eat, fixed his collar, and listened even when Liam complained.
There was something attractive about a man who cared so deeply for his child.
Nolan found himself watching.
Adrian noticed.
Their eyes met across the café.
Nolan looked away first.
Get a grip.
A few minutes later, Adrian stood.
“I should go.”
Nolan looked up.
“Already?”
The words escaped before he could stop them.
Adrian paused.
A slow smile appeared.
“Were you expecting me to stay?”
Nolan immediately regretted speaking.
“I mean… it's a café. People stay.”
“Of course.”
Adrian walked toward the counter.
“I'll see you tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Liam said you're helping him with another assignment.”
Nolan blinked.
“He did?”
Adrian nodded.
“He seems to have decided you're his personal tutor.”
Nolan laughed.
“I don't mind.”
“I know.”
Adrian looked at him for a moment.
“I don't mind either.”
Something in his eyes made the space between them feel suddenly smaller.
Then he stepped back.
“Have a good day.”
“You too.”
He left.
Nolan watched him through the window.
He didn't understand what was happening.
But he knew one thing.
Adrian wasn't the only one looking forward to seeing him again.
---
That evening, Nolan arrived at Adrian's house carrying a bag of pastries.
Liam opened the door.
“You came!”
“Of course.”
“Did you bring those?”
Liam grabbed the bag.
“Hey!”
Nolan laughed.
“Those are for everyone.”
“Mostly me?”
“Mostly you.”
Liam grinned.
“Come in.”
Nolan stepped inside.
Adrian was in the living room reading something on his tablet.
He looked up.
Their eyes met.
Something changed in Adrian's expression.
His shoulders relaxed.
His mouth curved slightly.
“You came.”
Nolan smiled.
“You invited me.”
“I know.”
Adrian stood.
For a moment, Nolan forgot what he wanted to say.
Without the suit, Adrian looked different.
More relaxed.
More approachable.
And somehow even harder to ignore.
“You look tired,” Nolan said.
“Long day.”
“You should rest.”
“I will.”
“You say that like you don't know how.”
Adrian laughed.
“You're very observant.”
“Occupational hazard.”
“How?”
“I spend all day watching people.”
Adrian's eyes held his.
“And what have you noticed about me?”
Nolan's heartbeat changed.
He hadn't expected the question.
“That you're serious.”
“Only serious?”
“Stubborn.”
Adrian smiled.
“Anything else?”
Nolan hesitated.
“That you're a good father.”
Adrian's smile softened.
“Thank you.”
Liam suddenly appeared between them.
“Are you two flirting?”
Nolan nearly choked.
Adrian stared at his son.
“No.”
Liam looked at Nolan.
Nolan quickly shook his head.
“No.”
Liam shrugged.
“Okay.”
He walked away.
Nolan covered his face.
“Your son is dangerous.”
Adrian laughed.
“He's observant.”
“Just like his father?”
Adrian looked at him.
“Maybe.”
The moment stretched.
Nolan could hear his own heartbeat.
Adrian's eyes remained on him.
Nothing happened.
No touch.
No confession.
Yet somehow, the silence felt more intimate than either of them expected.
Liam called from the dining room.
“Dad!”
Adrian finally looked away.
“Coming.”
He turned back to Nolan.
“Ready?”
Nolan nodded.
“Ready.”
---
Later, they sat around the dining table.
Liam worked on his assignment while Nolan helped him.
Adrian sat across from Nolan, occasionally joining the conversation.
Every now and then, Nolan caught him staring.
And every time their eyes met, Adrian gave him that same small smile.
It was becoming their silent conversation.
I see you.
I see you too.
When Liam finally finished, he stretched.
“I'm done.”
Nolan smiled.
“Good job.”
Liam looked at his father.
“Can Nolan stay for dinner?”
Adrian glanced at Nolan.
“You don't have to.”
Nolan smiled.
“I'd like to.”
Something warm passed through Adrian's eyes.
“Then stay.”
Dinner was simple, but Nolan couldn't remember the last time he'd enjoyed one this much.
They talked.
They laughed.
Liam told embarrassing stories about his father.
Adrian threatened to ground him.
Nolan laughed until his stomach hurt.
And Adrian watched him.
When Nolan finally stood to leave, Adrian followed him to the door.
“Thank you for tonight.”
“I had fun.”
“So did I.”
Neither seemed ready to end the conversation.
They looked at each other.
For one suspended moment, the world seemed quiet.
Nolan wondered what would happen if he stayed.
Adrian seemed to wonder the same thing.
But neither moved.
Finally, Nolan stepped backward.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Nolan.”
Nolan walked away.
He had barely reached his café when his phone vibrated.
Adrian: Did you get home safely?
Nolan smiled.
Nolan: I'm literally next door.
A few seconds later:
Adrian: I know.
Nolan's smile widened.
Nolan: Then why ask?
The reply came quickly.
Adrian: Because I wanted an excuse to talk to you.
Nolan stared at the screen.
His heart jumped.
For the first time, he couldn't convince himself that the attraction was only in his head.
Something was changing between them.
Neither had said it.
Neither had touched the other.
But the line between neighbor and something more was becoming dangerously thin.
And tomorrow, Nolan knew exactly who he would look for the moment he opened the café door.
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