Never Thought Of You

Chapter 19: An Unexpected Encounter

As Adina and Ethan strolled along the Seine, taking in the sights and sounds of the city, they stumbled upon a charming little bookstore. Adina's eyes widened as she pushed open the door, revealing a cozy interior filled with shelves upon shelves of books. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and old books wafted through the air, making her feel like she was in heaven.

Ethan smiled, knowing how much Adina loved books. "Go ahead, explore," he said, releasing her hand to let her browse. Adina nodded, disappearing into the stacks, her fingers trailing over the spines of the books as she searched for hidden gems.

Meanwhile, Ethan wandered over to the café section of the bookstore, ordering a coffee and sitting down at a small table by the window. The sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the dust motes dancing in the air, and Ethan felt a sense of peace wash over him.

That's when he noticed a woman sitting across from him, typing away on her laptop. She looked up and caught his eye, flashing a warm smile. Her eyes sparkled with creativity, and Ethan found himself drawn to her energy.

"Bonjour," she said, closing her laptop. "Mind if I join you?" Ethan smiled back, feeling a sense of curiosity. "Not at all," he said, gesturing to the empty chair across from him.

The woman introduced herself as Sophie, a French writer working on her first novel. They chatted about books, writing, and Paris, and Ethan found himself drawn to her creative energy. Sophie was charming, witty, and passionate about her craft, and Ethan enjoyed listening to her talk about her writing process.

Just as they were getting into a deep conversation, Adina appeared, holding a stack of books. "Hey, look what I found," she said, her eyes shining with excitement. Sophie's eyes lit up as she saw the books, and she launched into a discussion about literature.

As they chatted, Ethan noticed a subtle tension between Adina and Sophie. Adina seemed a bit reserved, and Sophie seemed to be trying too hard to win her over. Ethan couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he sensed that Sophie might be more than just a friendly bookstore encounter.

As they finished their coffee, Sophie invited them to join her for dinner the following night. "I'm having a little gathering at my apartment," she said. "Just a few friends and some good food. Would you like to come?"

Ethan looked at Adina, who seemed hesitant. "We'll think about it," he said, not wanting to commit without discussing it with Adina first.

As they left the bookstore, Adina turned to Ethan and whispered, "I don't know about this. Something about Sophie doesn't feel right."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" he asked, curious about Adina's intuition.

Adina hesitated. "I don't know. She just seems... intense. And a bit too interested in us."

Ethan nodded thoughtfully. "I'll keep an eye on her," he said. "But maybe we should give her a chance. She does seem nice."

Adina nodded, but Ethan could tell she was still unsure. As they walked away from the bookstore, Ethan couldn't help but wonder what Sophie's true intentions were...