When the Coldest Heart Fell

Chapter Three: Their First Real Date

Elena had spent the entire night trying to convince herself that Adrian Velez had been joking.

Probably fall in love with you.

Who said something like that and then simply walked away?

Apparently, Adrian did.

The next afternoon, Elena was behind the café counter, deliberately keeping herself busy.

She wiped the counter.

Then wiped it again.

Then rearranged the sugar packets.

Then rearranged them back.

Her coworker, Mara, watched her with growing amusement.

"You know you've cleaned that same spot six times, right?"

"I'm working".

"You're panicking."

"I'm not panicking."

"You're waiting for him."

Elena immediately looked toward the door.

Mara grinned.

Elena glared at her.

"Don't."

"I didn't say anything."

"You didn't have to."

The bell above the café door rang.

Elena's heart betrayed her by jumping immediately.

But it wasn't Adrian.

She hated the tiny wave of disappointment that followed.

Mara noticed.

"Oh, this is bad."

"Go away."

"You're falling for him."

"I am absolutely not falling for anybody."

The door opened again.

This time, the café went strangely quiet.

Elena didn't need to look up.

She already knew.

Adrian.

He walked inside wearing black trousers and a dark button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled slightly above his wrists.

No cap.

No sunglasses.

No attempt at disguise.

He looked unfairly handsome.

Elena silently cursed genetics.

Several customers stared.

Two girls whispered excitedly near the window.

Adrian ignored all of them.

His eyes found Elena immediately.

And stayed there.

"You're late," Elena said.

Adrian stopped.

"For what?"

She regretted speaking instantly.

"For your coffee."

One eyebrow rose.

"Were you waiting for me?"

"No."

"You're a terrible liar."

"And you're an annoying customer."

He walked toward the counter.

"Then it's fortunate I didn't come here as a customer."

Elena's hands stopped.

Mara looked between them before quietly disappearing into the back room.

Traitor.

Elena cleared her throat.

"Why are you here?"

"To take you to dinner."

There was no hesitation.

No nervousness.

He said it as though they had already agreed.

Elena blinked.

"Excuse me?"

Adrian checked his watch.

"Your shift ends at six."

Her eyes narrowed.

"How do you know when my shift ends?"

He paused.

That tiny pause told her everything.

"Adrian."

"I asked."

"You asked who?"

"Your manager."

"You asked my manager what time I finish work?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"So I would know when to pick you up."

Elena stared at him.

There it was again.

That maddening confidence.

"You didn't ask me if I wanted to go."

His expression changed slightly.

Apparently, the possibility that she might refuse had never occurred to him.

"You're going to refuse?"

"Maybe."

"Why?"

"Because normal people ask someone on a date. They don't investigate their work schedule and announce that they're taking them somewhere."

His jaw tightened.

"I wasn't investigating you."

"You found out what time my shift ends."

"So I could take you to dinner."

"Without asking me."

"Elena."

"Adrian."

A long silence passed.

Then he exhaled. "Fine."

Something almost comical happened next.

Adrian straightened his shirt. He looked uncomfortable.

For the first time since she'd met him, Elena realized that Adrian Velez, famous actor, terrifying perfectionist, and apparently professional bulldozer of other people's boundaries, might actually be nervous.

"Elena Reyes."

She bit the inside of her cheek.

"Yes?"

His expression became severe.

"Would you have dinner with me tonight?"

It sounded less like an invitation and more like a boardroom proposal.

Elena nearly laughed.

"Was that painful?"

"Extremely."

She smiled. "Then yes."

He stared at her.

"Yes?"

"Yes."

For half a second, something boyish appeared on his face.

Pure satisfaction.

Then the famous Adrian Velez composure returned.

"Good."

He turned toward the door.

"Wait."

He looked back.

"What?"

"You came all the way here just to ask me?"

"Yes."

"And now you're leaving?"

"I have an interview."

Elena frowned.

"Then you'll be late."

"No."

"Why?"

"I moved it."

Her mouth fell open.

"You moved an interview just so you could come here?"

Adrian calmly replied, "I wanted to ask you in person."

And this time, Elena couldn't think of a sarcastic response.

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