The evening sky was clear, the fading sunlight casting soft hues of orange and pink over the city.

    Lila sat alone at a small table by the window of the restaurant, her fingers drumming softly against the polished wood.

    The place wasn''t overly fancy, but it wasn''t a casual diner either — it struck the perfect balance between comfort and charm.

    The warm lighting and soft hum of background chatter added to the cozy atmosphere.

    Lila glanced at her phone, noting the time. She had arrived fifteen minutes early, a nervous habit she hadn''t been able to shake.

    She wore a light blue dress that complemented her skin tone, its flowing fabric giving her an air of understated elegance.

    Her makeup was simple, just enough to enhance her features, and her hair was swept into a low ponytail. It wasn''t over the top, but it was more effort than she''d usually put into her appearance.

    Her foot tapped against the floor as she looked at the menu for what felt like the tenth time.

    The butterflies in her stomach had yet to settle, and with each passing minute, her nerves seemed to grow.

    "Maybe I shouldn''t have agreed to this," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head. She wasn''t used to dates — especially not with someone as confident and enigmatic as Ethan.

    The thought of him made her stomach flip again. She hadn''t saved his number as a contact yet, but his voice from the phone call a night or two ago lingered in her mind.

    It was warm and steady, the kind of voice that made you feel heard.

    She glanced at the clock on her phone again. He was late. Only by a few minutes, but still.

    Her hand hovered over her phone, considering whether to call him, when the restaurant door swung open.

    There he was.

    Ethan stepped in, scanning the room before spotting her.

    He was dressed in a crisp white button-up shirt tucked into dark jeans, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms in a casual yet polished way.

    His hair was freshly cut, shorter on the sides and styled neatly on top, giving him a sharp, refreshed look.

    Lila''s breath caught for a moment as their eyes met. She hadn''t realized he could look even more put-together than he had in the iOS shop.

    Lila nodded, her own laughter bubbling up. "She did. But I confessed a week later. She wasn''t even mad — she just laughed at me."

    Their conversation flowed easily from there, moving from lighthearted anecdotes to deeper topics. Ethan shared stories from his own life, carefully avoiding anything too personal about his past struggles.

    Instead, he focused on lighter tales — like the time he almost wiped out on his bike during the first time he ever rode a bike.

    Lila found herself relaxing more as the evening went on. Ethan had a way of making her feel at ease, even when she was certain her awkwardness was showing.

    When their food arrived, they shared the dishes as Ethan had suggested, each of them trying bites from the other''s plate. Lila even teased him when he admitted he wasn''t a fan of spicy food.

    "Spicy food isn''t for everyone," he defended himself with a grin. "But you can have all of it."

    By the time they finished eating, the restaurant was beginning to quiet down as the night settled in.

    Ethan settled the bill, insisting that it was on him despite Lila''s protests. "Consider it part of my apology for being late," he said with a wink.

    As they stepped outside, the cool evening air greeted them. Lila crossed her arms against the slight chill, and Ethan noticed immediately.

    "Cold?" he asked, already slipping off his jacket.

    Before she could protest, he draped it over her shoulders.

    "Thanks," she murmured, her cheeks warming despite the chill.

    Ethan walked her to the nearby bus stop, where they paused.

    "I had a great time tonight," he said, his tone sincere. "Thanks for agreeing to meet up."

    Lila smiled, her nerves bubbling up again. "Me too. It was... really nice."

    They stood there for a moment, the sounds of the city around them.

    "Text me when you get home?" Ethan asked.

    She nodded, clutching the jacket around her. "I will. Goodnight, Ethan."

    "Goodnight, Lila."

    As she boarded the bus, she glanced back to see him standing there, hands in his pockets, watching until the bus pulled away.