Chapter

The days that followed were a blur of anticipation and excitement for Hazel. The memory of her shared evening with Alex, the laughter, the easy conversation, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, played on a loop in her mind. She found herself looking for him everywhere, her gaze scanning faces in the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

Every text message, every phone call, felt like a potential invitation to another adventure, another chance to connect with him. The simple act of ordering a coffee, a routine she had performed countless times before, now felt charged with a hidden meaning, a subtle reminder of their shared coffee date.

Their initial encounter, a seemingly random collision in the library, had sparked a flame in Hazel's heart, a flame that burned brighter with each passing day. She had a feeling that this was no ordinary infatuation; this was something deeper, something that had the potential to change her life.

The anticipation was almost unbearable. She