The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across Lumora's streets as Elise Harper walked home from Brew & Brush, her sketchbook tucked under her arm and her thoughts a tangled mess. The city was alive with its usual chaos—honking taxis, street vendors calling out, the faint pulse of music from a nearby bar—but Elise barely noticed. Her mind was still in the café, replaying the moment Julian Kane had smiled at her, his words about her art echoing like a song she couldn't shake. You've got a way of making ordinary things… more.
She kicked a pebble along the sidewalk, her sneakers scuffing against the pavement. "Get a grip, Elise," she muttered to herself. One coffee order and a few kind words didn't mean anything. Julian was just a guy—a nice guy, sure, but still just a guy. She'd learned the hard way not to let her heart run away with her. Two years ago, her ex, Liam, had charmed her with pretty words and promises of forever, only to leave her heart in pieces when he walked out without a backward glance. She wasn't about to make that mistake again.
Still, there was something about Julian. The way he'd hesitated when she asked about his notebook, the flicker of something unspoken in his eyes—it intrigued her, more than she wanted to admit. She shook her head, quickening her pace as she turned onto her street, a quiet row of brownstones dwarfed by the city's towering skyline. Her tiny apartment was a sanctuary, filled with half-finished canvases and the faint smell of paint thinner. Maybe she'd start that new painting tonight, the one inspired by the Andromeda galaxy Julian had shown her. Maybe it would help her make sense of the flutter in her chest.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her out of her thoughts. A text from Maya: Art gallery opening tomorrow night at The Lumora Loft. You're coming, right? Chance to show off your work AND maybe run into Star Guy. 😉
Elise groaned, typing back a quick reply: Not everyone's obsessed with him, Maya. But even as she sent it, her stomach did a little flip at the thought of seeing Julian again. The Lumora Loft was a trendy gallery downtown, known for showcasing up-and-coming artists. Elise had been trying to get her work in there for months, but her submissions kept getting polite rejections. Maybe tomorrow's opening could be a chance to network—or at least distract her from her inconvenient crush.
She was halfway up the stairs to her apartment when her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Clara. Dinner tonight? I owe you for putting up with me at the café. My treat.
Elise smiled despite herself. Clara could be overbearing, but she was the only family Elise had in Lumora. Fine, she texted back. But no interrogating me about my life choices.
No promises, Clara replied, followed by a winking emoji.
Dinner was at a small Italian place near Clara's office, all dim lighting and checkered tablecloths. Elise sat across from her sister, picking at a plate of pasta while Clara sipped red wine and launched into a story about her latest case. The restaurant was crowded, the hum of conversation blending with the clink of glasses, but Elise felt oddly disconnected. Her mind kept drifting back to Julian—his quiet laugh, the way he'd looked at her sketch like it was a treasure.
"Earth to Elise," Clara said, waving a hand in front of her face. "You've barely touched your food. What's going on?"
Elise twirled her fork, avoiding her sister's piercing gaze. "Nothing. Just tired from work."
Clara raised an eyebrow, her lawyer instincts kicking in. "Uh-huh. This wouldn't have anything to do with that guy from the café, would it? What was his name—Julian?"
Elise's cheeks flushed. "You're worse than Maya. He's just… someone I met. No big deal."
"Right," Clara said, leaning back with a smirk. "That's why you're blushing like a teenager. Spill, little sister. What's his story?"
Elise sighed, knowing resistance was futile. "He's an astronomer at the Lumora Observatory. We met at their stargazing event, and he showed up at the café today. That's it. End of story."
Clara's smirk softened into something more thoughtful. "An astronomer, huh? Sounds like a nerdy romantic. Be careful, Elise. You've got a soft spot for dreamers."
Elise bristled, her fork clattering against her plate. "I'm not falling for anyone, Clara. I'm focused on my art. You know that."
"I know," Clara said, her voice gentler now. "But you've been hiding behind your sketchbook ever since Liam. Not every guy's going to break your heart."
Elise looked away, her throat tightening. She didn't want to talk about Liam, not tonight. "Can we just eat?" she said, forcing a smile. "I'm starving."
Clara let it drop, but her eyes lingered on Elise, full of that big-sister worry that made Elise feel both loved and smothered. They finished dinner with lighter conversation—Clara's work, Elise's latest painting ideas—but the mention of Liam had left a sour taste in Elise's mouth. By the time she got home, the spark of inspiration she'd felt earlier had dimmed, replaced by a familiar weight of doubt.
The next evening, The Lumora Loft was a sea of glittering lights and pretentious chatter. Elise stood near a display of abstract sculptures, clutching a glass of cheap wine and feeling woefully underdressed in her black jeans and a flowy blouse. Maya had insisted she come, promising it was a chance to "rub elbows with artsy types," but Elise felt like an outsider among the gallery's sleek crowd. Her sketchbook was tucked into her bag, a safety net in case she needed an escape.
Maya, radiant in a red dress, bounced over with a grin. "Isn't this place amazing? I heard the curator's looking for new artists. You should show her your work!"
Elise snorted, sipping her wine. "Yeah, because they're dying to hang my café doodles next to these." She gestured at a sculpture that looked like a pile of twisted metal. "I don't even know what that's supposed to be."
"It's art," Maya said, laughing. "It doesn't have to make sense. Come on, let's mingle."
Before Elise could protest, Maya dragged her toward a group of artists discussing color theory. Elise nodded along, trying to look engaged, but her attention wandered. The gallery's high ceilings and glass walls made her feel exposed, like her insecurities were on display alongside the art. She was about to excuse herself when a familiar voice stopped her cold.
"Elise?"
She turned, her heart doing that annoying flip again. Julian stood a few feet away, looking out of place in a simple button-down shirt and jeans, his hands shoved into his pockets. His dark hair was neater tonight, but his eyes still held that quiet intensity that made her feel seen in a way she wasn't sure she liked.
"Julian," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "What are you doing here?"
He smiled, a little sheepish. "Dr. Cole dragged me along. Said I needed to get out more. Apparently, art galleries are good for the soul."
Maya, who'd been eavesdropping, practically pounced. "Well, well, Star Guy! Fancy meeting you here. Elise, why didn't you tell me he was coming?"
"Because I didn't know," Elise said through gritted teeth, shooting Maya a warning look. "And stop calling him that."
Julian's lips twitched. "Star Guy's not the worst nickname I've had."
Maya grinned, undeterred. "See? He's cool with it. I'm Maya, by the way. Elise's official wingwoman."
Elise groaned, but Julian just chuckled, extending a hand. "Nice to meet you, Maya. I'm Julian, not Star Guy."
"Yet to be determined," Maya teased, shaking his hand. "You two should check out the rooftop deck. It's got a killer view of the city, and it's way less stuffy than in here."
Elise opened her mouth to protest, but Maya was already slipping away, mouthing Go for it over her shoulder. Elise sighed, turning to Julian. "Sorry about her. She's… enthusiastic."
"I like her," Julian said, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Rooftop deck sound good?"
Elise hesitated. Part of her wanted to stay in the safety of the crowded gallery, but the thought of fresh air—and Julian's company—was too tempting. "Sure," she said, gesturing toward the stairs. "Lead the way."
The rooftop deck was quieter, with fairy lights strung along the railing and a view of Lumora's skyline that took Elise's breath away. The city sparkled below, its neon lights a stark contrast to the faint stars struggling to shine above. Julian leaned against the railing, his gaze fixed on the sky, and Elise found herself watching him instead of the view.
"You're looking for them, aren't you?" she said, joining him at the railing. "The stars."
"Always," he said, his voice soft. "They're harder to see here, but they're there. You just have to know where to look."
She smiled, pulling her sketchbook from her bag. "You keep saying that. Maybe I'll draw it someday—what you see when you look up there."
He turned to her, his expression curious. "I'd like to see that Video Tutorial. Can I look at your sketchbook again?"
Her instinct was to say no, to protect the raw pieces of herself tucked between those pages. But his question was gentle, not demanding, and something about the way he looked at her made her want to take the risk. She handed him the sketchbook, her fingers brushing his as she did. "Don't laugh," she warned. "It's just… me."
He opened it carefully, like it was something precious. He flipped through pages of cityscapes, flowers, and abstract swirls, pausing at the sketch she'd started in the café—the one with his silhouette by the window. "This is me?" he asked, his voice quiet.
"Maybe," she said, her cheeks warming. "It's not finished."
"It's amazing," he said, his eyes meeting hers. "You're amazing."
The words hit her like a wave, warm and overwhelming. She wanted to brush them off, to make a joke, but the sincerity in his gaze stopped her. "You barely know me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'd like to," he said, closing the sketchbook and handing it back. "If you'll let me."
Her heart pounded, and for a moment, she couldn't look away. But then a voice cut through the night, sharp and familiar, shattering the moment.
"Elise?"
She turned, her stomach dropping. Liam stood at the edge of the deck, his blond hair catching the fairy lights, his charming smile as disarming as ever. He was dressed in a tailored suit, looking every bit the successful photographer he'd become since they'd broken up. "I thought that was you," he said, striding toward her. "It's been a while."
Elise's throat tightened, old wounds flaring to life. "Liam," she said, her voice flat. "What are you doing here?"
"Exhibiting some photos downstairs," he said, his eyes flicking to Julian, who'd gone still beside her. "Who's this?"
"Julian," she said, her tone clipped. "A friend."
Liam's smile didn't waver, but there was a sharpness to it that made Elise's skin crawl. "Good to see you're still chasing your art dreams, Elise. You always had talent."
The compliment felt like a jab, and Elise's grip on her sketchbook tightened. Julian stepped closer, his presence steady but not intrusive. "We were just heading back inside," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Nice to meet you."
Liam's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Sure. Catch you later, Elise."
As Liam walked away, Elise let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Julian glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," she lied, forcing a smile. "Just… old history."
He nodded, not pushing, but his eyes held a quiet understanding that made her chest ache. They headed back to the gallery, but the spark of the evening had dimmed. Liam's reappearance had stirred up memories Elise thought she'd buried, and now, standing beside Julian, she felt more exposed than ever. Could she trust him with her heart, or would he turn out to be another mistake?
Will Elise let Liam's shadow keep her from opening up to Julian, or will the stars guide her toward a new beginning?