Chapter 3 – Slowly but Surely
A cozy bookstore café, soft jazz playing in the background. The aroma of coffee and old books lingers. Lily and Ethan sit across from each other, two cups of coffee between them.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(sipping over his coffee mug)
You know, I’m starting to think you have a thing for bookstores.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(flipping through a novel)
What gave it away? The fact that I suggested this place or that I’ve already picked out three books?
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(leaning forward)
Both. And the way your eyes light up when you talk about them.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(her smile softens)
Books don’t disappoint.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(raising an eyebrow)
Neither do I.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(laughs, shaking her head)
Confident, aren’t you?
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(smirking)
I just like proving people wrong.
Lily rolls her eyes but can’t help the warmth creeping up her cheeks. The scene fades as their conversation continues, the connection between them deepening.
Lily’s Office – Bright, modern, papers stacked neatly. Helen leans against Lily’s desk, arms crossed, watching Lily scroll through her phone with a small smile.
Helen Foster (Lily's colleague)
You’re smiling at your phone. Let me guess—Ethan?
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(startled, locking her screen quickly)
No!
Helen Foster (Lily's colleague)
Liar. It’s cute, though. You’re obviously into him.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(sighs, leaning back in her chair)
It’s just… I like him, but I don’t know. Relationships can be complicated.
Helen Foster (Lily's colleague)
(nodding in understanding)
They can be. But if you’re always waiting for the perfect moment, you’ll never take the leap.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(quietly)
Yeah… maybe.
Helen pats Lily’s shoulder before walking away, leaving her to her thoughts.
Location: Ethan’s Office – A sleek workspace with large windows. Maxwell lounges in a chair across from Ethan, spinning a pen between his fingers.
Maxwell Blake (Ethan’s colleague)
So, you and Lily, huh? You’re actually serious about this one.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(scoffing)
When have I not been serious?
Maxwell Blake (Ethan’s colleague)
(chuckles)
Ethan, come on. You’ve dated before, but this… you’re different with her.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(leaning back)
She’s different.
Maxwell Blake (Ethan’s colleague)
Different good or different dangerous?
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(smirks) Both.
Maxwell Blake (Ethan’s colleague)
(laughing, shaking his head)
Man, you’re in trouble.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
Yeah. And I don’t mind one bit.
As Maxwell leaves, Ethan stares at his phone, his fingers hovering over Lily’s name. He finally types a message.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
[texting] Dinner tomorrow? My treat.
Cut to Lily’s office. Her phone buzzes. She glances at the message, a slow smile forming.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(whispering to herself)
Yeah… maybe I’ll take the leap.
She types back, and as the message is sent, the screen fades to black.
Comments