Kieran had been planning this moment for days. Weeks, even. Not because he wanted a dramatic declaration, but because he wanted it to feel right. He wanted Clara to feel comfortable, to feel ready, and to feel there was no pressure. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that what mattered most wasn’t the words, but the timing and the way he approached her.
He invited her to their favorite quiet café, the one tucked down the side street where no one bothered them. It was their spot. The one where they had shared coffees, little notes, and subtle smiles over the last few weeks.
Clara arrived first, as usual, and took their usual table near the window. She had a book with her, a small notebook, and a pen, all laid out neatly as if she had been expecting some quiet time to herse
