He smiled brightly, his eyes twinkling. "Deal. But I promise I won’t forget you."
And with that, he hopped back on his bike and pedaled off, leaving Sophie standing there, watching him disappear into the crowd.
As she finally arrived at her office, still a little damp but no longer frustrated, Sophie couldn’t help but smile at the memory. Maybe her day wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Chapter 2: The Coffee Shop Confession
The next morning, Sophie was at her favorite coffee shop, trying to get a quiet start to her day. Her mind kept drifting back to the cyclist she’d met yesterday, his bright smile, and the way he had made her laugh even when she was ready to curse the world.
She ordered her usual—black coffee and a croissant—and sat down by the window. She tried to focus on her laptop, but it was hard to concentrate when she kept replaying the encounter in her head.
Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice. "Excuse me, is this seat taken?"
Sophie looked up, and to her surprise, it was the same guy from yesterday. The one who had knocked her into a puddle.
He smiled sheepishly. "I swear, I don’t have a habit of running into people on purpose. But it seems we meet again."
Sophie couldn't help but laugh. "So it seems. I didn’t think I’d see you again. What are you doing here?"
He shrugged, taking the seat across from her. "I work nearby. Thought I’d grab some coffee before heading into the office. You?"
"Same," Sophie said, feeling the awkwardness dissipate. "So, how’s your day been so far? Less eventful than yesterday?"
He grinned. "Much less. And I hope yours has been the same."
They continued chatting, and Sophie found herself drawn into his easygoing nature. There was something about him that made her feel at ease, even though they barely knew each other.
"So," Sophie said after a pause, "What’s your name, anyway?"
He smiled, offering his hand. "Ethan. Ethan Miller."
She shook his hand. "Sophie Williams."
"Nice to officially meet you, Sophie."
As they chatted more, Sophie realized she was enjoying his company far more than she’d anticipated. Maybe there was something to be said about those awkward first impressions after all.
Sure! Here's Chapter 3, continuing the romantic comedy journey between Sophie and Ethan.