The morning sun filtered through the windows of Brew & Brush, casting a warm glow over the mismatched tables and Elise Harper's murals, but Elise felt anything but warm. Her hands moved mechanically, steaming milk for a latte as her mind replayed Liam's chilling text from last night: You can't run forever, Elise. We need to talk. The words had kept her awake, their weight sinking into her like ink on a canvas, staining her thoughts with dread. His sudden appearance in Crestwood Park, so soon after the gallery, wasn't a coincidence—she was sure of it now. But what did he want? To win her back, or to unravel the fragile life she'd built without him?
She glanced at the café's door, half-expecting Liam to walk in, his smug smile cutting through her like it always had. The memory of Julian's steady presence in the park—his hand on her arm, his quiet promise to help—kept her grounded, but only just. She wanted to trust him, to believe in the spark she felt when he looked at her, but trust was a luxury she wasn't sure she could afford. Not with Liam's shadow looming.
"Elise, you're gonna burn that milk," Maya called from the pastry counter, her voice snapping Elise back to reality. Her best friend's curly hair was tied back with a green scrunchie today, her eyes sharp with concern despite her teasing tone. "What's got you so spooked? You've been jumpy all morning."
Elise shut off the steamer, forcing a smile. "Just tired," she said, avoiding Maya's gaze. She hadn't told her about Liam's second text, or the way his words had twisted her stomach into knots. Maya would insist on confronting him, and Elise wasn't ready for that—not yet.
Maya raised an eyebrow but didn't push, instead sliding a tray of croissants onto the counter. "Well, perk up. Your VIP might show up again, and you don't want to scare him off with that zombie vibe."
Elise rolled her eyes, but her heart did a small flip at the mention of Julian. "He's not my VIP," she muttered, though the thought of seeing him again sent a flicker of warmth through her. She busied herself wiping down the counter, her fingers tracing the edge of a mural she'd painted—a starry sky over Lumora's skyline, inspired by that first night at the observatory.
The bell above the door chimed, and Elise's head snapped up, her pulse quickening. But it wasn't Julian—or Liam. It was a woman in a sleek blazer, her dark hair pulled into a tight bun, clutching a leather portfolio. She scanned the café with a purposeful air, her eyes landing on Elise's murals.
"Excuse me," the woman said, approaching the counter. "Are you Elise Harper? The artist who painted these?"
Elise blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, yeah. That's me. Can I help you?"
The woman smiled, extending a hand. "I'm Vanessa Chen, curator at The Lumora Loft. I saw your work on the walls here and heard you were at our opening the other night. These murals are stunning. We're looking for new artists for our next exhibit, and I'd love to see more of your portfolio."
Elise's heart leapt, a rush of hope drowning out the morning's unease. The Lumora Loft was her dream gallery, the kind of place that could launch her career. "Really?" she said, her voice brighter than it had been all day. "I mean, thank you. I'd love to show you my work."
Vanessa handed her a business card, her smile warm but professional. "Email me some samples by tomorrow. We're curating for a show next month, and I think you'd be a great fit."
Elise clutched the card like it was a lifeline, her mind racing with possibilities. "I will. Thank you so much."
As Vanessa left, Maya let out a squeal, nearly dropping a tray of muffins. "Elise! The Lumora Loft? This is huge! You're basically famous now!"
"Not yet," Elise said, but she couldn't stop the grin spreading across her face. For the first time in months, her dreams felt within reach. She tucked the card into her apron pocket, her fingers brushing against her phone—and the unread text from Liam. The joy dimmed slightly, but she pushed it aside. This was her moment, and she wouldn't let him ruin it.
The café grew busier, the lunchtime crowd filling the air with chatter and the clink of mugs. Elise was pouring a cappuccino when the bell chimed again, and this time, her heart stopped. Liam stood in the doorway, his blond hair catching the light, his leather jacket giving him an air of effortless charm. But his smile was sharper than she remembered, his eyes scanning the room until they locked on her.
"Elise," he said, striding to the counter with a confidence that made her skin crawl. "We need to talk."
Her grip on the coffee pot tightened, her voice steady despite the panic rising in her chest. "I'm working, Liam. This isn't a good time."
He leaned closer, his voice low, almost intimate. "Come on, don't be like that. I saw you with that guy last night. What's his deal? You're moving on already?"
Elise's cheeks burned, anger flaring alongside fear. "That's none of your business," she snapped. "You need to leave."
Maya appeared at her side, her usual cheer replaced by a fierce glare. "You heard her. Out."
Liam's smile didn't falter, but his eyes darkened, a hint of something dangerous flickering beneath the surface. "Relax, I'm not here to cause trouble," he said, raising his hands. "I just want to talk. I heard you're submitting to The Lumora Loft. Congrats, by the way. I've got some connections there. Could help you out."
Elise's stomach dropped. How did he know about the gallery? She hadn't told anyone but Maya. "I don't need your help," she said, her voice cold. "Please go."
He lingered for a moment, his gaze heavy, then nodded. "Fine. But we're not done, Elise." He turned, leaving the café as quickly as he'd come, the bell's chime echoing like a warning.
Maya grabbed Elise's arm, her voice urgent. "What the hell was that? How does he know about the gallery?"
"I don't know," Elise said, her hands trembling as she set the coffee pot down. "He's… he's everywhere lately. It's freaking me out."
"You need to tell someone," Maya said. "Maybe Julian. He seemed pretty protective last night."
Elise nodded, but her mind was a whirlwind. Liam's words felt like a threat, not an offer, and the idea of him meddling with her gallery opportunity made her feel sick. She needed to focus on her art, on the chance Vanessa had given her, but Liam's shadow was suffocating.
The rest of her shift passed in a blur, her thoughts split between the gallery and Liam's unsettling presence. By late afternoon, the café was quieter, and Elise was wiping down tables when the bell chimed again. This time, it was Julian, his dark hair slightly tousled, a small smile softening his usually reserved expression.
"Hey," he said, approaching the counter. "Thought I'd check in after last night. You okay?"
Elise's heart lifted, the sight of him easing the knot in her chest. "Better now," she said, managing a smile. "Rough day, though. Liam showed up."
Julian's smile faded, his eyes sharpening. "Here? What did he want?"
She hesitated, then recounted the encounter, her voice low to avoid Maya's eavesdropping. "He knew about my gallery submission. I don't know how, but it's… it's not right, Julian. He's messing with me."
Julian's jaw tightened, his hand resting on the counter as if to steady himself. "That's not okay. You shouldn't have to deal with him alone. Want me to talk to him?"
"No," Elise said quickly, though his protectiveness warmed her. "I can handle it. I just… I don't know what he's playing at."
Julian nodded, his expression softening. "I get it. But you don't have to handle it alone." He paused, then added, "I was going to ask if you wanted to come to the observatory tonight. There's a meteor shower. Thought you might find some inspiration for your art."
Elise's breath caught, the offer a bright spot in her clouded day. "A meteor shower? That sounds… amazing."
"It is," he said, his smile returning, softer this time. "And it's better with company."
The observatory's rooftop was quieter than the first night Elise had been there, the city's hum muted under a blanket of stars. Julian had set up a telescope, but he'd also brought a blanket, spreading it out on the concrete for them to sit. The air was crisp, the scent of autumn leaves carried on the breeze, and the meteor shower streaked across the sky in fleeting bursts of light.
Elise sat cross-legged, her sketchbook open, her pencil capturing the arcs of meteors against the dark canvas of the night. Julian sat beside her, his notebook in his lap, his fingers tracing the edges like it was a talisman. "Anna loved meteor showers," he said quietly, his voice almost lost in the wind. "She'd say they were the universe's way of winking at us."
Elise smiled, her pencil pausing. "That's beautiful. You must miss her a lot."
"Every day," he said, his voice raw. He opened his notebook, revealing a page of sketches—stars, constellations, and a small drawing of a girl with a bright smile. "This was her. Anna. I drew this the night she told me she was sick."
Elise's heart ached, the sketch so full of love and loss it stole her breath. "She's beautiful," she said softly. "And you're keeping her alive, with this."
He looked at her, his eyes glistening in the starlight. "Thanks, Elise. That means a lot."
For a moment, they sat in silence, the meteors painting the sky with fleeting beauty. Elise felt the weight of Liam's threat fade, replaced by the warmth of Julian's presence. She reached out, her hand brushing his, a small gesture that felt like a leap. He didn't pull away, his fingers curling gently around hers, and her heart raced, hope battling fear.
But then her phone buzzed in her pocket, shattering the moment. She pulled it out, her stomach dropping at the sight of another text from Liam: Check your email, Elise. You'll want to see this.
Her hand trembled, the starlight suddenly feeling cold. What had Liam done now? And how far would he go to pull her back into his orbit?
Will Elise uncover Liam's latest move, or will Julian's starlit warmth give her the strength to fight back?