’m so sorry,” he said, his voice low and warm, an easy smile playing on his lips. “I didn’t see you there.”
Lena froze for a moment. There was something magnetic about him. He was tall, with dark, tousled hair and a gaze that felt both intense and inviting. Something in his eyes made her heart race. It was as if they had shared a thousand lifetimes of memories in that one fleeting moment.
“I—it's okay,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her cheeks flushed, and she couldn’t help but smile.
Ethan chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving hers. “I’m Ethan,” he said, offering his hand.
“I’m Lena,” she replied, her fingers brushing against his, feeling an inexplicable spark.
In that instant, the world felt like it had paused, as though time itself had decided to hold its breath. The chaos of the city faded away, and all that remained was the two of them.