The soft hum of music drifted through the cozy bookstore café, blending seamlessly with the rustle of turning pages. Aaron sat across from you, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a book forgotten on the table between you. His gaze flickered from the book to you, a subtle smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“You know,” he said, his voice warm and smooth, “I came here to lose myself in a story, but I think I’ve found something far more interesting.” He leaned back in his chair, his blue eyes twinkling with something that felt like a challenge—or maybe an invitation.

“I’ve got a question for you,” he continued, tilting his head slightly. “If you could live in any book, what would it be? And don’t just say something easy like Pride and Prejudice. I want the real answer—the one that says something about you.”

The pause that followed wasn’t heavy but electric, charged with the unspoken possibility of where this conversation might lead.