Chapter 64

Alaria

The café was tucked into a quiet corner of the street, all warm brick and soft light spilling from the windows. It wasn’t the kind of place Liam would normally choose, too small, too intimate, too… human…

“Are you sure that we're in the right place?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest as I looked him in the eye.

“I am.” He said softly. “Unless you don't like it, then that is a different case.”

“No, it's not that. I don't like it. It's beautiful. The whole place looks enchanting, but it just looks, you know, different. Not you.” I said, and he hummed in response. For a few moments, he said nothing. And for a second, I actually thought that he would step back, I thought that he would tell me that I was right.

But when he opened the door for me, I stepped inside anyway, the scent of roasted coffee wrapping around me like a blanket. He extended a hand to me, as if inviting me to go forward. I smiled at him, allowi