Strangers and Sparks

The restaurant was dimly lit, the warm glow of candles reflecting off polished wine glasses. Soft jazz hummed in the background, mingling with the low murmur of conversation. It was the perfect setting for romance, or at least, that’s what Olivia’s best friend had insisted when she set this up.

A blind date.

Olivia smoothed her hands over the silky fabric of her dress, resisting the urge to check her phone for the tenth time. She wasn’t even sure why she had agreed to this. Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was boredom. Or maybe—just maybe—she was tired of being the only one without a story to tell.

The waiter appeared at her side. “Would you like another drink while you wait?”

Before she could answer, a deep voice interrupted.

“No need. I’m here now.”

Olivia looked up, and for a second, she forgot how to breathe.

The man standing before her was not what she had expected.

Dark hair, slightly tousled, like he had run his fingers through it too many times. A tailored black button-down stretched across broad shoulders, the sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal strong forearms. His jaw was sharp, his lips curved in a slow, knowing smile.

And then there were his eyes—intense, unreadable.

“I hope I’m not too late,” he said, sliding into the chair across from her.

Olivia found her voice. “Not at all.”

His smile deepened. “Good. I’d hate to disappoint.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Confident, aren’t you?”

His eyes glinted with something dangerous. “Let’s just say I know how to make a good impression.”

Olivia smirked, leaning back in her chair. “Bold strategy for a blind date.”

He rested his forearms on the table, closing the distance between them just slightly. “Then tell me—how am I doing so far?”

She should have felt flustered. Instead, she found herself matching his energy, leaning forward just enough to challenge him. “That depends. Are you always this smooth, or am I just special?”

His gaze dropped briefly to her lips before flicking back up. “You’re definitely special.”

Olivia’s pulse kicked up, but she refused to let him see it. “Flattery already? You must really want me to stay.”

“I do.” He said it simply, without hesitation.

And just like that, the air between them shifted.

The playful banter was still there, but underneath it—something else. Something neither of them had expected.

The waiter arrived to take their orders, giving Olivia a brief reprieve from the weight of his stare. But when she glanced up at him again, she realized he was still watching her, his expression unreadable.

“You know,” she mused, “I came here thinking this would be awkward.”

He tilted his head. “And now?”

She met his gaze, holding it. “Now, I’m wondering what happens next.”

His lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. “Then I guess I’ll just have to keep surprising you.”

And something in the way he said it made Olivia certain—this night was only just beginning.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***