Chapter3:Almost.
550 Words
Chapter three: Almost
The rain came without warning.
One minute, the streets were crowded with people enjoying the afternoon sun.
The next, the sky opened.
"Run!" Isabella laughed.
"I'm trying!" Ethan called, clutching his toolbox as they dashed across the street.
By the time they reached the awning of a small bookstore, they were soaked.
Isabella pushed her wet hair away from her face and burst into laughter.
"You look terrible."
Ethan looked down at his drenched work shirt.
"I was about to say the same thing."
"You'd be lying."
"I would."
She nudged his shoulder.
"You're getting brave."
"I'm learning from you."
For a moment, they simply stood there, listening to the rain drum against the pavement.
Neither hurried to leave.
The world outside seemed to disappear.
"You know..." Isabella said softly, "I haven't laughed this much in years."
Ethan looked at her.
"What changed?"
She hesitated.
"Maybe the company."
His heart skipped.
He wasn't prepared for that answer.
"You always say things that catch me off guard."
She smiled shyly.
"Good."
The rain continued to fall.
A cool breeze swept beneath the awning, making Isabella shiver.
Without thinking, Ethan slipped off his worn work jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
"It's freezing."
"You'll be cold."
"I'll survive."
She looked down at the oversized jacket.
It smelled faintly of cedarwood and machine oil.
Oddly...
It felt comforting.
"You always take care of people, don't you?" she asked.
"I try."
"But who takes care of you?"
The question hit him harder than he expected.
No one.
Not really.
Not for a very long time.
He forced a smile.
"I manage."
She stepped a little closer.
"So... who's taking care of you today?"
His breath caught.
They were close enough that he could see tiny flecks of amber hidden in her brown eyes.
Close enough to notice the small dimple that appeared whenever she smiled.
Close enough to forget every excuse he'd made to keep his distance.
"I think..." he whispered, "...you already are."
The air between them changed.
Neither spoke.
Neither moved.
The sounds of the city faded into the background.
Slowly...
Almost unconsciously...
Isabella reached up and brushed a raindrop from his cheek with her fingertips.
"You missed one," she whispered.
His hand found hers.
Not to pull it away.
Just to hold it there.
Warm.
Gentle.
Her heartbeat raced.
"So does this make us..." she began, her voice barely audible.
"I don't know."
"I've been trying very hard not to like you."
He laughed softly.
"I've been failing at the same thing."
A smile spread across her face.
"So we're both terrible at this."
"The worst."
Their eyes met again.
This time, neither looked away.
Ethan slowly lifted his hand to her face.
"Isabella..."
She leaned into his touch.
He hesitated for the briefest moment, giving her every chance to step back.
She didn't.
Instead, she closed the distance between them.
Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss.
It wasn't rushed.
It wasn't perfect.
It was simply honest.
When they finally pulled apart, they rested their foreheads together, both smiling without saying a word.
Then—
Then a chilling reply came through the speaker.
"Don't lose sight of either of them."
The SUV's engine started.
And slowly...
It pulled into traffic behind Ethan and I
sabella.
- Writer
