The Summer I Fell In Love

Episode 4

Daniel gave a slight nod in response. No handshake. No greeting. Just that cool, distant nod.

I stared at him. Wait... doesn’t he realize I’m the same girl he helped zip her dress earlier?

Or… is he just pretending not to know?

The waiter returned with the water and swiftly disappeared again, leaving us to settle into our meal. Everyone dug in, except for Daniel, who kept sipping from his glass—a transparent cup that seemed almost delicate in his large hands—while casting fleeting glances at me as I ate.

“So, Daniel,” Hannah began, her voice bright as she flashed him a smile that was just a little too wide, “What are your plans for this summer?”

His eyes briefly flickered toward her, but his focus quickly returned to me. I couldn’t help but wonder, was she his girlfriend? He answered her distractedly, “Nothing much... just focusing on basketball.”

Of course, he plays basketball, I thought, noting how tall he was, his broad shoulders filling the space around him. I couldn’t help but study him, taking in every detail of his posture, the way his muscles moved subtly beneath his shirt. I felt my heart begin to race, a rapid thumping in my chest for a guy I’d just met.

Hannah, seemingly oblivious to the strange tension building in the air, continued, her tone casual as she took a sip of her wine. “Well, then, how about we hit the beach next weekend?” she suggested, her smile growing even wider.

Shawn, who had been sitting quietly until now, shook his head and let out a low chuckle. “Come on, girl, you can make your plans with him privately,” he teased, clearly amused by the situation.

Hannah laughed, brushing off Shawn’s jab. “What? I’m just trying to make plans,” she said, though there was a slight edge to her voice now.

Through all of this, Daniel’s gaze never wavered from me. It was almost as if he was waiting for me to respond. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, unsure if I was reading too much into things, but the magnetic pull between us was undeniable.

Maybe Hannah finally noticed the intense stares between us I do not know. She tried her possible best to break the moment by asking me a question all of a sudden.

“So, why did you come to Canada?” she asked between bites, her fork clinking softly against her plate.

I hadn’t been expecting a question from her. My stomach tightened as I kept my eyes on my food, pretending to be engrossed in it while trying my best to ignore Daniel’s unwavering stare.

Peter, who sat beside me, gave me a slight tap on my arm. Reluctantly, I looked up—only to find every pair of eyes at the table fixed on me.

“Hmm?” I murmured, caught off guard.

Hannah rolled her eyes dramatically. “I asked a question,” she said, leaning back in her seat and folding her arms across her chest like she owned the place.

Something about her tone made me feel like she didn’t like me, though I couldn’t be sure.

I sat up a little straighter. “Well… to study,” I answered quietly.

Martha was smiling, grinning even, while I just wanted to melt into my chair and disappear from Daniel’s intense stare.

“Study? No universities in your country?” Shawn asked, sipping a little water as his eyebrows rose.

Is that supposed to be a real question?I almost said that out loud but swallowed it back.

Martha laughed out, her voice bright. “Gosh, Shawn… obviously there are tons of universities in her hometown.”

He widened his eyes in mock shock. “Wow, really?”

I nodded. “Yes, there’s.”

“What are you studying?” Hannah pressed again, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Gosh, is this an interrogation center? I thought, my stomach twisting. I had believed I was over this introverted spirit, but here it was, clawing its way back.

“Law… you?” I managed to say.

She laughed. Peter and the rest joined in too—everyone except Daniel and Martha. Their laughter made me wonder if I had said something wrong.

Peter placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “We left uni a long time ago, baby girl,” he said with an easy smile.

Tolu chipped in, grinning. “We’re your seniors then. How old are you?”

Martha smacked his arm lightly. “Please don’t make her uncomfortable, guys.” She turned to me with a soft smile, mouthing, ‘They’re just trying to get to know you.’

I shifted in my seat, twisting slightly, trying to adjust my legs under the table. But in the process, my legs brushed against Daniel’s.

Our eyes met.

I tried to pull my legs back, but he caught it between his, pinning it gently but firmly in place. My heart started making ridiculous, thunderous sounds inside my chest.

Hannah, completely oblivious to the commotion happening under the table, kept going, her voice dripping with curiosity—almost like she wanted to make me feel small.

“How did you even become friends with Martha? I mean, you’re so young, and Martha’s not even your mate… no one on this table is.”

How’s that a problem? I thought but said nothing. I just wanted to leave.

Martha, sensing my uneasiness, came to my rescue again.

“I don’t care about age when it comes to friendship, Hannah,” she said firmly. “I’m 24 and she’s 20. Even you—you’re just 21… sooo?”

Oh wow. Bursted.

I wanted to laugh it out, but Daniel’s leg still held mine pinned under the table, and my heart was hammering louder than before.

The diner finally came to a close, the night air beginning to cool as we lingered around, chatting and laughing, though I didn’t speak much again after the interrogations. I still wasn’t completely comfortable around Martha’s friends, but it felt nice to be out, to be a part of something. At one point, we even gathered for a group picture, as Martha and her friend Hannah were both avid fans of capturing memories on camera. I initially didn’t want to join but Shawn out of nowhere dragged me.

We stepped out of the restaurant, and I was immediately struck by the busy street around us. The lights from the surrounding buildings reflected off the wet pavement, creating a soft, glimmering glow. Cars zipped past with a rhythmic hum, their headlights cutting through the darkness. Pedestrians hurried along the sidewalks, some in conversation, others lost in their own worlds, but all moving at a quick pace. The night felt alive, bustling with energy, and yet there was a stillness in the air that made me feel like an observer.

Martha turned to me, pulling me into a warm embrace. “Thanks for showing up, babe,” she said, her voice light with gratitude.

I returned the hug, inhaling deeply. She smelled of vanilla and something soft, like fresh flowers—sweet and comforting. “I’m happy I came too... I missed you,” I murmured, my heart swelling with affection for her.

We were lost in the moment when Tolu suddenly approached with a teasing grin. “Okay, leave my woman,” he said, his voice playful.

My eyes widened in surprise. “Your man?” I asked, my voice a little too loud.

Martha nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly. How had I not noticed the connection all night? I’d been too preoccupied with Daniel.

“He’s my boyfriend,” she said, her words clear and simple, yet full of meaning.

A rush of happiness swept over me. “Oh my God, I’m so happy for you!” I exclaimed, my smile spreading wide. It felt like a genuine moment of joy for my friend.

We finally pulled apart from the hug just as Daniel appeared behind us, standing tall with his hands in his pockets, while Hannah clung to his side, her arm wrapped around his waist. My eyes instinctively met his, and there was that undeniable spark between us. His gaze lingered, his expression unreadable, before my eyes shifted away, uncomfortable with the intensity of it all.

Just then, a car pulled up in front of us, and Martha waved. “Okay, guys, bye! I’m off with my man,” she said, her voice cheerful as she slid into the car. “Stephanie, you’ll be fine, right? You can find your way back?”

I nodded, though I had secretly expected we would stay together. Martha’s car took off with her, Tolu, and Peter inside, leaving me standing there, alone with Shawn and Hannah, who was still all over Daniel.

Hannah glanced up at him before turning to me with a curious smile. “Are you heading to Osborne Village?” she asked him.

Daniel pulled his phone from his pocket, typing something on the screen before responding, his voice colder than I expected. “No. Find your own way. I’m heading somewhere now,” he said bluntly, then turned and walked off without another word.

Hannah stomped her feet against the ground, clutching her purse tightly as she muttered, “He’s so infuriating!”

Our eyes met for a brief moment, but she glared at me sharply before turning away in frustration.

Shawn shook his head. “That’s just how she is… lover girl,” he said, strolling toward me.

Oh, is she Daniel’s girlfriend? The thought crossed my mind.

He smiled as he pulled out his phone. “Type in your digits. We could hang out sometime.”

I was still lost in thought until he waved his phone at me, the screen glowing brightly.

“Digits. Phone. Yours,” he repeated.

“Oh.” I entered my number, and he immediately dialed it. My phone buzzed in my purse.

“That’s me,” he said with a satisfied grin.

Just then, Hannah shifted where she stood beside a cab. “Shawn!” she snapped.

“Coming!” he called back, still smiling at me as he walked backward. “I lied—or let’s say my twin lied. She’s still in university. So am I. I’m 21.”

What? Twin? I looked between Hannah, who now stood stiff like an angry housewife, and Shawn. And then it clicked—they looked exactly alike. I hadn’t noticed before. But still… why tell me that?

I just nodded and gave a small, amused smile.

“I’ll call you,” he said.

Shawn waved at me before they climbed into a cab and drove off into the night, leaving me alone on the sidewalk, waiting for my Uber.