Stella’s POV
The air outside was crisp, the streetlights casting a soft glow over the quiet pavement as we walked side by side, the sound of our footsteps the only noise between us. I had already led him out of the café, taking a moment to make sure I wasn’t going to let him escape the conversation just yet. I had made a point of not being the type to linger in places I wasn’t wanted, but I was enjoying this weird, electric energy between us. It was like we were both testing the waters, seeing who could make the first move—or at least, that’s what I liked to think.
I glanced over at Ian, who was holding the black coffee I had ordered for him, his expression twisted into a slight grimace as he took another reluctant sip.
“You know,” I began, eyeing him with a playful smirk, “I’m not real
