Ciro's P.O.V
I woke up later than expected, my body heavy from the week's chaos. As soon as my brain decided to function, I messaged Leone, asking what time would work for him today.
Contrary to what Jacob had said this wasn't a date. It was just… a small thank you. A token of appreciation, nothing more.
When I got out of the shower, a towel draped over my head, I checked my phone. He replied: 2 o'clock.
I sent a thumbs-up and pinned the café location. It was a cozy spot that had been trending all over my feed lately. I'd been dying to go, but never had an excuse. Now seemed like a good time .
When the cab dropped me off, I stood outside the glass front, shifting on my feet. The storefront was painted sage green with big windows framed by climbing plants. Inside, you could see hanging dried flowers, little warm lights, and handwritten chalk signs listing pastries. It smelled faintly of fresh bread and roasted coffee even from the street.
As soon as I spotted Leone coming up the sidewalk, I did an exaggerated wave. He snorted when he saw it but waved back anyway.
We stepped inside together. A soft chime rang above us as the door swung shut behind.
The café was warm and inviting the kind of place where friends linger over books for hours. There were potted herbs on each table, indie music humming low in the background, and the air was a mix of cinnamon, espresso, and something floral I couldn't name.
I tugged out a chair for myself at a corner table and flopped into it. "Have you ever been here before?" I asked, setting my phone face-down.
"I have," Leone said, easing into the seat across from me.
So it was just me, then, who'd never found the time.
"Never been," I admitted. "What do you recommend?"
He tapped the menu with one finger. "Last time I had the pistachio croissant and an iced caramel latte. Both were good."
"Oh really? I'm a fan of matcha, so anything with that and I'm happy."
I flipped through the handwritten menu and my eyes immediately snagged on a matcha tart.
Sold.
When the server came over, I gave Leone a pointed look. "Don't hold back. It's my treat."
He tried to protest ,half-heartedly but ended up ordering exactly what he wanted anyway.
We talked lightly while we waited, mostly about the presentation, how glad we were it was done, and how we'd both basically survived on caffeine all week. Any weirdness between us had vanished somewhere between last week meet ups and that applause at the end of our report.
The matcha tart did not disappoint. Neither did the conversation. I almost forgot I had errands to run until I checked the time and nearly choked on my last sip of tea.
By the time we stepped back out into the late afternoon sun, it was nearing four. I still had to pick up fabric for my next piece; my professor's email had come with a long list of corrections, and the store wouldn't be open much longer.
Leone held the door for me, smiling when I stepped through. "Thanks for today."
"Of course," I said, brushing crumbs off my sleeve. "You saved my GPA, this was the least I could do."
He really saved me had he not agreed to be my model. I was close to either screaming or contemplating putting off the course for next semester.
We lingered on the sidewalk, both half turned to go. "So where are you heading too?" Leone question.
"Oh, I have to swing by the store for some fabric, then I'm heading home," I added casually, already pulling out my phone to check closing times.
Leone hesitated for a heartbeat.
"Do you mind if I tag along?"
I blinked at him, then shrugged, pretending it was no big deal. "Of course"
Leone chuckled.
We crossed the street to the busier side of town, our conversation drifting between light jokes and him asking about my design piece. The store was tucked away on a quiet side street more like a little treasure trove than a typical shop.
Inside, it smelled like new cotton and faint rose potpourri. Rolls of fabric were stacked to the ceiling in rainbow rows, while baskets of buttons and zippers sat in every corner. A soft instrumental playlist hummed from an old radio near the register.
Leone stuck close behind me as I flipped through bolts of fabric, pressing each one between my fingers for just the right weight and stretch.
"You really can tell the difference, huh?" he asked, eyeing the nearly identical swatches I'd lined up on the counter.
"Yes, and don't mock me. " I shot back, poking him lightly with a roll of linen.
He laughed and leaned back on the counter, arms crossed, watching me work.
Finally, I settled on a muted cream cotton and a pale green chiffon. Perfect.
.
Outside, the sun was beginning to dip low, the sidewalks glowing gold. We walked side by side down the block, a shopping bag swinging against my knee.
"Hey," Leone said, bumping my shoulder gently. "Thanks again for today. Not just the treat… the company too. It was nice."
I tucked the bag higher under my arm, pretending to watch a flock of pigeons scatter near a lamppost. "Yeah. It was."
We paused at the corner where we'd part ways. He hesitated like he wanted to say something more but instead, he just smiled and reached out.
"You forgot this," he said, tugging a loose thread off my sleeve before stepping back.
Then he turned and headed down his street, leaving me standing there with a stupid grin I refused to admit to myself.