CHAPTER 2:THE COFFEE SHOP PROMISE
526 Words
The rain had no intention of stopping. Amarachi and the stranger walked side by side under her umbrella, their shoulders brushing with every step. She could feel the warmth of his body, the clean scent of his cologne mixing with the fresh rain. It was… distracting.
“You don’t usually let strangers share your umbrella, do you?” he asked, glancing at her with a teasing smile.
She gave him a quick side-eye. “Who says I’m letting you?”
He chuckled—a deep, warm sound that made her stomach flip. “Fair enough. I’m Daniel.” He extended his hand, rain dripping from his wrist.
Amarachi hesitated before shaking it. His hand was firm, warm—too warm for someone who’d just been drenched. “Amarachi,” she replied softly.
“Beautiful name,” Daniel said, his eyes lingering on her face a moment longer than necessary. “So… where are we headed?”
“We?” she asked, raising a brow.
“Well,” he shrugged casually, “unless you want me to melt in the rain, I’m sticking with you for now.”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips. “There’s a coffee shop at the end of the street. You can wait there till the rain stops.”
“Perfect,” he said. “I owe you a coffee for saving my life.”
Amarachi almost laughed. “Saving your life?”
“Yes,” he said seriously. “Without your umbrella, I’d be floating down the street by now.”
She shook her head, amused despite herself. When they entered the coffee shop, the warm air wrapped around them like a blanket. Daniel ordered two lattes before she could protest.
“I didn’t say I wanted—” she started.
“Trust me,” he interrupted with that infuriatingly charming smile. “You’ll like it.”
When the drinks arrived, Amarachi took a sip—and froze. It was perfect. Sweet, creamy, with a hint of caramel. He noticed her expression and grinned.
“Told you,” he said. “Now you owe me something.”
She arched a brow. “And what exactly do I owe you?”
“A promise,” he said, leaning in just slightly. His voice dropped to a low murmur. “That this won’t be the last time I see you.”
Her heart thudded against her ribs. She should say no. She didn’t even know him. But the way he looked at her—the quiet confidence in his eyes—made it hard to breathe.
Before she could reply, his phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening for a split second before he stood.
“I have to go,” he said reluctantly. Then, pulling a napkin from the holder, he scribbled a number and slid it across the table. “Call me… if you want that promise to mean something.”
And just like that, he was gone—leaving Amarachi staring at the napkin, her fingers trembling as if they already knew what her heart wanted.
- Writer
