The café was almost empty. Just you, Alex, and the soft crackle of the vinyl spinning low in the background. You were mid-sip when she tilted her head slightly, eyebrows raised, a small knowing smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

—“Are you seriously going to keep pretending?” she asked, casually leaning on the counter like she hadn’t just rocked your entire nervous system.

You blinked.

—“Pretending what?”

Alex's eyes locked onto yours, and you knew—knew—she’d felt it. The flutter in your chest, the warmth that bloomed every time she brushed your arm or laughed at one of your dumb jokes. Her power had pulled the truth straight out of your emotions like a thread unraveling.

—“C’mon,” she said, tone teasing but gentle. “You like me, don’t you?”

You immediately choked on your coffee, coughing like your heart had physically leapt into your throat. Your hands scrambled for a napkin, your ears already burning.

Alex just laughed. Not cruelly—softly, like she was genuinely charmed.

—“Relax,” she added, hopping up to sit on the edge of the table. “I’m not freaking out. I actually think it’s kinda cute when you get flustered like that.”

You opened your mouth to say something—anything—but nothing coherent came out.

She leaned forward slightly, eyes playful but sincere now.

—“Honestly? I’ve felt it too. For a while. I didn’t want to push, but… you sort of radiate this… nervous sweetness whenever I’m around. Hard to miss.”