He had worked in cafés before, handled all kinds of customers, but none had made him pause like this.
The moment Adrian Anderson walked through the door, Ethan felt the air shift. Not just because of the tailored suit or the easy confidence, but something else — a presence that filled the space without trying. He had read about men like him in business magazines, in gossip columns: untouchable, admired, perfect. And yet, in person… there was something warmer, quieter, that made Ethan's chest tighten.
He watched as Adrian ordered, noting the subtle way he acknowledged the barista, polite but detached. There was no arrogance, no pretense — just… control. And vulnerability hidden beneath it. Ethan's stomach fluttered at the thought, though he hated admitting it. He was here covering for his cousin, not looking for distractions. And yet, he couldn't tear his eyes away.
When Adrian finally glanced toward him, a flicker of recognition crossed his face. Ethan caught it instantly — the brief pause, the quick blink, the tension in posture that betrayed the man's calm façade.
Interesting, Ethan thought, the word repeating in his mind. Very interesting.
He forced himself to smile, professional, casual, but inside, something roared. The man was dangerous, yes — not in a physical sense, but in the way he pulled at the heart, the way he made Ethan feel like nothing else existed except that brief, charged moment of connection.
Ethan shook his head lightly, trying to clear the sudden rush of thoughts. Focus. Coffee. Work. But Adrian Anderson had entered the room and already occupied more space in his mind than he would ever admit — and Ethan knew, somehow, this was just the beginning.