Chapter 2

  The crisp evening air cooled Vanessa's flushed cheeks as she made her way home, trying to shake off the stress of the day. The bakery shift had been nothing short of chaotic, and all she wanted was to crawl into bed and forget the entire thing—especially the part where she had spilled tea all over the floor in front of Captain Vale and SargeantThorne.

  Her mind was still racing as she turned the corner of a quiet street, lost in thought. She barely had time to react when she collided with something—or rather, someone—that felt like a brick wall. Her soft, chubby frame hit the solid figure hard, and she went flying back, her balance completely thrown off. A yelp escaped her lips as she braced herself for the hard landing on the cobblestones.

  But the impact never came.

  Before she could hit the ground, a pair of strong hands shot out, wrapping firmly around her waist and pulling her back upright. Vanessa’s breath hitched as she found herself steady on her feet again, her heart racing from the shock of it all.

  It took a moment for her to realize what had just happened, but when she looked up, her heart sank straight to her stomach. Standing in front of her, holding her waist with an iron grip, was none other than Captain Vale Vale.

  Her hazel eyes widened in disbelief, her cheeks flushing red with embarrassment as she stared up at him. Lucien, with his usual stoic expression, was looking down at her, his sharp grey eyes locking onto hers in that intense way that made her insides twist.

  She had run straight into him. Again.

  Vanessa quickly stepped back, and Lucien let go of her waist, his hands falling to his sides as he straightened up. Her mind raced, trying to come up with an apology, something to say to smooth over the situation, but the words wouldn’t come. She was too flustered, too mortified to think straight.

  "Watch where you're going," Lucien said, his voice low but not unkind.

  Vanessa opened her mouth to respond, but her voice faltered. She was about to apologize when she noticed that Lucien wasn’t alone.

  Standing just a few feet away was Elias, his distant gaze briefly flickering over her, his expression unreadable. And beside him, a whole group of other soldiers stood, watching the scene unfold. Vanessa’s breath caught in her throat as she recognized them—Marin, Silas, Dorian, Finn, Tessa, and Kaela. the 3rd Recon Battalion. Captain Vale’s handpicked squad.

  They were all looking at her, and it was clear from their confused expressions that none of them recognized her. They had no idea who she was.

  Except for Lucien and Elias.

  "Everything okay?" Dorian asked, raising an eyebrow as he glanced between Lucien and Vanessa. His eyes lingered on Vanessa for a moment longer, clearly puzzled as to why someone he didn't know had run into Lucien in such a dramatic way.

  Vanessa’s heart pounded in her chest, and her mind went blank. She couldn’t believe this was happening. First the tea, and now this? She felt the heat rising to her cheeks, and she instinctively stepped back, trying to shrink into herself and avoid the questioning stares of the rest of the veteran soldiers.

  Lucien, however, didn’t seem fazed by their curiosity. He glanced at Elias, who remained quiet and brooding as always, then back at Vanessa. His sharp eyes narrowed slightly, clearly recognizing her from earlier at the bakery.

  Marin stepped forward, her curious gaze shifting from Lucien to Vanessa. “Huh, you run into someone on your way home, Lucien?” she asked, a teasing edge to her voice. “Or did she run into you?”

  Vanessa felt her stomach twist in knots. She couldn’t even bring herself to look at Marin or the others. She was too embarrassed, too mortified to say anything. All she wanted to do was disappear, but it seemed like fate wasn’t done with her yet.

  Before Marin could prod any further, Lucien spoke, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. “She’s from the bakery.”

  That simple statement made Vanessa’s heart skip a beat. He had noticed her. He had remembered her. She didn’t know whether to feel flattered or even more mortified.

  Silas, standing beside Marin, tilted his head slightly, his gentle eyes curious. “The bakery?” he repeated, glancing at Vanessa for a moment before looking back at Lucien.

  “Yeah,” Lucien replied, his tone flat as ever. “She’s the one who spilled tea earlier.”

  Vanessa’s cheeks burned as all eyes fell on her again. She wanted to crawl into a hole and hide. She could already see Dorian trying to suppress a grin, and Finn stifling a chuckle as the pieces clicked into place. Tessa, meanwhile, just looked mildly confused, still clutching the food she had been nibbling on.

  Kaela’s expression remained neutral, though her gaze flickered briefly toward Elias before settling back on Vanessa. There was a quiet tension at the situation in her dark eyes, though she said nothing.

  Vanessa swallowed hard, forcing herself to speak. “I—I’m really sorry about that, again,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. “It was an accident…”

  Lucien’s expression remained unchanged. “Like I said earlier, don’t worry about it.”

  His words were simple, but they made Vanessa’s heart race even faster. How could he be so calm about it? How could he—the most intimidating man she’d ever met—act like it was no big deal?

  Marin, ever the one to break awkward silences, let out a light chuckle. “Well, accidents happen! No harm done, right?”

  Vanessa nodded quickly, eager to agree. “Right,” she mumbled, her voice shaky. “No harm done.”

  Dorian, unable to help himself, shot Lucien a teasing grin. “Didn’t think anyone would run into you, Captain.”

  Lucien gave him a deadpan look. “Shut up, Dorian.”

  Dorian laughed softly, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. “Just saying.”

  The tension in the air finally eased, though Vanessa still felt like she was standing in a spotlight. She desperately wanted to leave, to end this embarrassing encounter as quickly as possible. But the scouts weren’t done yet.

  “Anyway,” Marin said, glancing between Vanessa and Lucien with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “It’s always nice to meet a fan of the military. I’m Dr. Marin Solvi, by the way.” She extended a hand, clearly waiting for Vanessa to shake it.

  Vanessa blinked, caught off guard by the sudden introduction. “I—uh—” She hesitated for a moment before awkwardly taking Marin’s hand. “Vanessa. My name’s Vanessa.”

  “Well, Vanessa,” Marin said with a grin, shaking her hand enthusiastically. “If we ever need more tea—without spilling it, of course—we know where to find you!”

  Vanessa couldn’t help but smile nervously, still overwhelmed by everything that had happened. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice barely audible.

  Lucien, now clearly done with the conversation, gave a curt nod to Vanessa. “Be careful next time,” he said before turning on his heel and walking away, Elias silently following him.

  The rest of the squad exchanged quick goodbyes before trailing after Lucien, leaving Vanessa standing there, still dazed and flustered.

  As they disappeared down the street, she finally let out a long, shaky breath. Her heart was still pounding, and she couldn’t believe what had just happened. She had run into Lucien Vale again, and this time… in front of the hero of Rosemoor.

  Vanessa pressed her hands to her cheeks, which were still burning from embarrassment. “This day is never going to end, is it?” she muttered to herself, shaking her head as she began walking home, her mind still spinning from the encounter.

  It had been a day full of surprises, and somehow, she had a feeling it wouldn’t be the last.

  ….

  As she arrived at her modest home, Vanessa trudged through the front door, her shoulders sagging with exhaustion. The day had drained her in ways she couldn’t even begin to describe, and all she wanted was to collapse into bed and forget the chaos of it all. The familiar scent of lavender and vanilla greeted her as she stepped inside, the warmth of the house offering a brief moment of comfort. She kicked off her shoes and hung her coat by the door, her limbs heavy and sluggish.

  “Ness!” a voice called from the kitchen, far too energetic for how she felt right now.

  Vanessa winced, already dreading the conversation that was about to follow. Her mother, Vivian, was as vivacious as ever, her vibrant personality filling every corner of their small home. There was no escaping it. Vanessa forced a tired smile as she stepped into the kitchen, where Vivian was bustling around, preparing dinner.

  Vivian was beautiful, her supple skin glowing under the kitchen light, her long brown hair pulled into a loose braid. She moved with the grace of someone much younger, and it was hard for Vanessa to keep up with her mother’s boundless energy, even on the best of days.

  “There you are!” Vivian exclaimed, turning to face her daughter with a wide grin. “I thought you’d never come home! You look exhausted, sweetie. Long day at the bakery?”

  Vanessa nodded slowly, rubbing her temples. “You have no idea, Mom. It was… a lot.”

  Vivian raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “Oh? What happened? Tell me everything.”

  Vanessa hesitated, not sure if she wanted to relive the day’s events, especially the part where she ran into Captain Vale twice—once literally. She could already hear her mother’s teasing remarks, and she wasn’t sure she had the energy for it right now.

  “Just a lot of customers,” she mumbled, hoping to gloss over the details. “I’m really tired, that’s all.”

  Vivian, however, wasn’t one to let things slide so easily. She narrowed her eyes, sensing there was more to the story. “Uh-huh. You always come home tired, but today you look like someone wrung you out like a wet towel. Something happened, didn’t it?”

  Vanessa sighed, sinking into one of the kitchen chairs. She knew there was no escaping this. “Yeah… something happened. I, um… spilled tea in front of Captain Vale. And Sargeant Elias Thorne. Then I ran into them again on my way home.”

  Vivian’s eyes widened in surprise, then lit up with excitement. “What?! You ran into Captain Vale? Twice?” She gasped dramatically, a grin spreading across her face. “Vanessa! That’s… incredible! Do you know how many girls would kill for a moment like that?”

  Vanessa groaned, her head dropping into her hands. “Mom, it was humiliating. I spilled tea everywhere, and then I literally ran into him! Like, physically! I can’t believe it.”

  But Vivian wasn’t deterred. In fact, she looked even more excited. “Ness, you’re telling me you had not one, but two run-ins with Captain Vale, and you’re upset about it?” She waved her hand dismissively. “This is a sign, Vanessa! A sign that you need to put yourself out there more.”

  Vanessa’s head shot up, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Mom, no! It wasn’t like that at all. He barely even looked at me, and when he did, it was probably out of annoyance.”

  Vivian wasn’t listening. She had that look in her eyes, the one that meant she was about to launch into one of her usual speeches. Vanessa braced herself.

  “Vanessa,” Vivian began, her tone suddenly more serious. “You’re not getting any younger, you know. You need to find yourself a man. You’re beautiful, talented, and kind, but you spend all your time in that bakery, and you don’t give yourself a chance to meet anyone.”

  Vanessa groaned again, leaning back in her chair. “Mom, please. Not this again.”

  “Yes, this again,” Vivian insisted, pointing a wooden spoon at her daughter. “You think I don’t notice? You’ve been stuck in the same routine for ages. Work, come home, sleep, repeat. You need excitement in your life. You need love!”

  Vanessa pressed her hands to her face, feeling a headache coming on. “Mom, it’s not that easy.”

  Vivian rolled her eyes, setting down the spoon and crossing her arms. “It could be, if you’d just stop being so shy. You think you’re not beautiful, but you are, Vanessa. You have those curves, those dimples, that smile! And your baking—how can anyone resist a woman who can bake like you?”

  Vanessa felt her cheeks flush, though not with embarrassment this time. It was a conversation they’d had a hundred times before, and no matter what she said, her mother wouldn’t back down.

  “I don’t know, Mom. I’m just… not good at that stuff. Robin and Emma, they get all the attention. I’m just there.”

  “Nonsense!” Vivian said, shaking her head firmly. “You’re just as worthy of love and attention as anyone else. Don’t sell yourself short, Vanessa.”

  Vanessa sighed heavily, feeling the weight of her mother’s words settle on her already weary shoulders. She knew Vivian meant well, but she couldn’t help but feel a pang of frustration. It wasn’t that simple. She wasn’t like Robin and Emma. She wasn’t the type to draw attention, and she didn’t know how to put herself out there like her mother seemed to think she should.

  “I don’t know, Mom. I’m just… tired.”

  Vivian softened at that, her expression shifting from excitement to gentle concern. She walked over and placed a hand on Vanessa’s shoulder. “I know, sweetie. I know you’ve been through a lot. But you deserve happiness. Don’t close yourself off from it.”

  Vanessa gave her mother a small, tired smile. “Thanks, Mom. I just… need to figure things out on my own.”

  Vivian smiled warmly and kissed the top of Vanessa’s head. “Okay, okay. I’ll stop bugging you—for now. But remember, you’re not alone. And if Captain Vale happens to notice you, well, maybe that’s a little nudge from fate, hmm?”

  Vanessa’s face flushed again, and she quickly stood up, heading for her room before her mother could say anything more. “Goodnight, Mom.”

  Vivian laughed softly. “Goodnight, my love! Don’t stay up too late thinking about that handsome war hero!”

  Vanessa groaned, her cheeks burning as she disappeared down the hall. She closed her bedroom door behind her, leaning against it with a sigh. She was mentally and physically exhausted, but her mother’s words echoed in her mind.

  Captain Vale noticing her? That was ridiculous.

  Wasn’t it?

  …

  The next day, it was another quiet morning at the bakery, the sweet smell of pastries and freshly brewed tea filling the air. Vanessa stood behind the counter, her hands busy with the dough she was kneading, but her mind still replaying the events from the day before. Running into Lucien twice in one day was something she still hadn’t fully processed. Her cheeks heated up just thinking about it.

  "Okay, Ness," she muttered under her breath. "Today will be normal. No soldiers. No disasters. Just a regular, boring day."

  But, of course, fate had other plans.

  The soft chime of the bell above the door snapped her out of her thoughts. Vanessa glanced up automatically to greet the customer, her heart freezing in her chest when she saw who had just walked in.

  Captain Lucien Vale.

  He stood at the entrance of the bakery, his cold, calculating eyes scanning the room before they settled on her. He wore his usual black military attire, and his stoic expression was unreadable, just as it had been the day before. For a moment, Vanessa thought she was imagining things. What the hell is he doing back here?! She blinked, almost expecting him to disappear like a figment of her imagination. But no, he was real, and he was walking toward the counter.

  Her stomach flipped. This couldn’t be happening. Not again.

  Lucien walked up to the counter with his usual silent grace, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at her. Vanessa swallowed hard, her hands trembling as she wiped them on her apron, trying to think of something—anything—to say. Why was he here again? Didn’t she embarrass herself enough in front of him yesterday?

  Before Vanessa could even open her mouth to speak, the back door to the kitchen swung open, and the unmistakable voice of her mother, Vivian, rang out.

  “Oh, Ness! I brought you some—”

  Vivian froze mid-sentence, her eyes widening in surprise as she took in the sight of Captain Vale standing at the counter. Her expression shifted in an instant, from curiosity to full-blown excitement, and Vanessa’s heart sank.

  Oh no… please, no…

  “OH MY GOD!” Vivian gasped dramatically, her eyes lighting up as she stepped forward, her hands clasped in front of her as if she were looking at a celebrity. “Is that the famous Captain Lucien Vale? In our little bakery?”

  Vanessa’s entire body tensed. Her stomach dropped, and her face turned red in an instant. This was not happening. This could not be happening. She tried to catch her mother’s eye, silently pleading with her to stop, but Vivian was already too far gone.

  Lucien stood there, his expression completely impassive, though his eyes flickered briefly between Vanessa and Vivian, clearly wondering what was going on.

  Vivian, however, was undeterred. She moved closer, practically beaming with enthusiasm. “Oh, Captain Vale! What an honor to have you here! My daughter didn’t tell me she had such important customers coming in this morning.”

  Vanessa’s eyes widened in horror. Please, Mom. Please stop.

  But Vivian wasn’t done. In fact, she was only just getting started. Her eyes darted from Lucien to Vanessa, a mischievous glint sparking in them. “You know, Captain, my daughter, Vanessa—she’s single. And lonely. Very lonely.”

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  Vanessa’s heart nearly stopped.

  “MOM!” she practically shrieked, her face turning a deep shade of crimson as she stepped forward, trying to cut her mother off. But Vivian was relentless.

  “No, no, hear me out!” Vivian insisted, waving Vanessa off as if she were merely an interruption. “Vanessa is such a sweet girl, and a hard worker too. I think you two would get along very well.”

  Vanessa wanted to crawl into a hole and die right then and there. She couldn’t even bring herself to look at Lucien. Her mother was actually doing this. She was actually trying to set her up with him!

  Vivian turned back to Lucien, her smile as bright as ever. “And what about you, Captain? Are you single? Because, you know, Vanessa is just wonderful—”

  “MOM!” Vanessa practically lunged forward, grabbing her mother’s arm and dragging her back toward the kitchen. “Mom, you need to leave. Now.”

  “But, Ness, I’m just—”

  “Now,” Vanessa hissed, her face still burning with embarrassment.

  Vivian looked mildly offended but allowed herself to be ushered toward the door. “Alright, alright, I’m going,” she grumbled, though she shot one last glance over her shoulder at Lucien. “But think about what I said, Captain! Vanessa is a catch!”

  With one final wave, Vivian disappeared into the back room, leaving Vanessa standing there, absolutely mortified. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, her hands shaking slightly as she turned back to face Lucien.

  “I… I’m so sorry,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. “I—she—my mom… she’s…”

  Vanessa’s words faltered, and she couldn’t even bring herself to finish the sentence. Her eyes stayed glued to the floor, too embarrassed to meet Lucien’s gaze. What was she supposed to say after something like that?

  Lucien, to his credit, seemed completely unbothered by the situation. His expression hadn’t changed, though there was a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth—almost as if he were holding back some small, hidden amusement.

  “It’s fine,” he said flatly, his voice cutting through the tension. “I’ve dealt with worse.”

  Vanessa’s eyes snapped up, her heart still pounding in her chest. She wasn’t sure if that was supposed to be reassuring, but somehow, hearing him say it made her feel slightly less like she wanted to die on the spot.

  “I… I really am sorry,” she muttered again, still unable to meet his eyes. Her fingers twisted nervously in the fabric of her apron. “She’s just… she’s like that.”

  Lucien studied her for a moment, his sharp gaze making her feel even more self-conscious, but he didn’t press the issue. “You should have better control of your surroundings,” he said simply, though there was no malice in his tone.

  Vanessa blinked, unsure how to respond. Was that a compliment? Or some kind of critique? She couldn’t tell. Either way, she was too flustered to dwell on it.

  Lucien glanced around the bakery, his eyes briefly scanning the selection of baked goods before landing back on her. “I’m here for the usual,” he said, his voice as calm and unreadable as ever.

  Vanessa blinked again, surprised. “The usual?” she echoed, her mind still racing. Had he just said… ‘the usual?’ Did he plan on coming here again? Regularly?

  Lucien nodded. “Tea. And a roll. Same as yesterday.”

  Vanessa quickly turned around, her hands fumbling as she prepared his order, her mind still spinning from everything that had just happened. Her mother’s mortifying attempt at matchmaking, Lucien’s calm reaction, and now… this?

  As she placed the tea and roll in front of him, her cheeks still slightly red, Vanessa dared to glance up at him. His expression hadn’t changed. He was as calm and collected as ever, like nothing that had just happened bothered him in the slightest.

  “Thank you,” he said simply, taking the tray from her hands.

  Vanessa nodded quickly, her heart still racing. “You’re welcome…”

  Lucien gave her a brief nod, then turned and made his way toward one of the tables by the window, leaving Vanessa standing behind the counter, still trying to process the whirlwind of emotions swirling in her chest.

  As he sat down and began sipping his tea, Vanessa could only think one thing.

  What the fuck just happened?

  As soon as Vanessa finished serving Lucien his tea and roll, the bakery door opened again, and in walked Robin and Emma, their voices carrying the usual energy of two friends who were never short on things to talk about.

  Vanessa was still trying to calm herself down after the mortifying encounter with her mother. Her heart was still beating a little too fast, and the heat from her blushing cheeks hadn’t quite cooled. She was just about to retreat to the back room when Robin and Emma stopped dead in their tracks the moment they spotted Lucien seated by the window.

  “Is that... Captain Vale?” Emma whispered, her eyes wide, as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

  Robin nudged her, not even bothering to lower her voice. “It is him! He’s back here again?”

  Vanessa winced, suddenly feeling a new wave of embarrassment flood over her. This day just kept getting better. She pretended to busy herself with the trays, hoping her friends would focus on something else. But Robin and Emma were like bloodhounds when they caught the scent of something juicy, and they weren’t going to let this go easily.

  Both women quickly made their way behind the counter, their eyes still glued to Lucien as he sipped his tea, completely ignoring the conversations happening around him. Robin leaned close to Vanessa, whispering excitedly, “Ness, is this seriously happening? Did he come back just for you?”

  Vanessa nearly dropped the tray she was holding, her head snapping up to stare at Robin in disbelief. “What? No! He’s just here for tea!” she hissed back, her voice a mix of panic and frustration. “He doesn’t even know who I am.”

  Emma, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t know who you are? Ness, he was staring at you when we walked in. He didn’t even glance at us.”

  Robin nodded, her eyes still darting toward Lucien’s table. “Yeah, I mean, he barely paid attention to anyone else yesterday either. He could’ve gone anywhere for tea. There are other places he could’ve gone... but he came back here. And we all know it’s not because of our amazing pastries.”

  Vanessa’s face flushed again, this time from sheer mortification. “Guys, no. Just... no. That’s not why he’s here,” she insisted, her voice firm even though her heart was racing.

  Emma crossed her arms, a playful smirk creeping onto her face. “Then why does he keep staring at you?”

  Vanessa’s heart sank, and she could feel the weight of their words settling heavily on her. She risked a quick glance toward Lucien, only to find that, indeed, his gaze had briefly flickered toward her. His grey eyes, sharp as always, held her for just a moment before he looked away, as if nothing had happened.

  Vanessa’s stomach flipped. “He’s not staring at me,” she muttered, more to herself than to them. “He’s probably just... making sure I don’t spill anything again.”

  Robin leaned her hip against the counter, her grin growing wider. “Sure, Ness. Keep telling yourself that. But I’m telling you, he’s here for you. No guy comes back twice in two days unless he has a reason. And from what I can see, you’re the reason.”

  Vanessa shook her head, her cheeks burning so much she was sure she looked like a ripe tomato. “Please stop. You guys are making this worse.”

  But Emma wasn’t ready to let it go. She tilted her head thoughtfully, her voice teasing but not without sincerity. “You know, Captain Vale’s not exactly a people person. Everyone knows that. But if he’s here, sitting quietly by himself and choosing to come back to this place... then maybe he’s noticed something he likes.”

  Vanessa shot Emma a look, her hazel eyes filled with a mix of panic and disbelief. “You’re both crazy,” she whispered fiercely, trying to suppress the wild thoughts that were starting to spiral in her head. “He’s probably just here because it’s convenient.”

  Robin gave Vanessa a knowing look, clearly not convinced. “Convenient, huh? Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

  Vanessa felt like her whole world was spinning out of control. The idea that he would come back here because of her was so absurd, she could hardly process it. There was no way someone like him—someone famously known to be so cold, distant—would be interested in her for any reason beyond her being an unfortunate tea spiller.

  As much as Vanessa tried to ignore them, Robin and Emma’s words stuck with her. She could still feel Lucien’s occasional glances from across the room, and no matter how much she told herself it was nothing, the tension building in her chest wouldn’t go away.

  “I can’t do this,” Vanessa muttered under her breath, her hands trembling as she grabbed another tray of pastries to keep herself busy. “This is insane. He’s just here for tea.”

  Robin giggled softly, leaning in closer to Vanessa as she spoke. “Maybe. But you’ve definitely caught his eye, Ness. And honestly? I think it’s about time someone did.”

  Vanessa’s mind raced, her heart pounding so loudly she could barely hear anything else. She wanted to believe her friends were wrong, that there was no way Lucien Vale would ever notice someone like her. But as she glanced one more time toward the table where Lucien sat, his calm demeanor unchanged, she couldn’t help but wonder... why was he back?

  And why did it feel like every glance he threw her way was full of more than just casual observation?

  Time passed, but Vanessa couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling that something had shifted. Robin and Emma continued their quiet teasing throughout the day, but Vanessa was too flustered to respond. Every time she caught sight of Lucien, sitting calmly by the window, sipping his tea in silence, her heart would leap into her throat.

  It was ridiculous. This whole situation was ridiculous.

  And yet, as she wiped down the counter and tried to focus on the bakery’s usual routine, a small, terrifying thought crept into her mind.

  What if Robin and Emma were right?

  Vanessa shook her head furiously, trying to banish the thought. No. There was no way Captain Vale, of all people, had any reason to notice her.

  Right?

  …

  The day dragged on, the minutes feeling like hours as Vanessa tried to keep herself busy behind the counter. She could still feel the weight of Lucien’s presence at the far end of the bakery, where he sat quietly sipping his tea. Robin and Emma had mercifully stopped teasing her for the time being, but the tension swirling in her chest refused to fade. Every time she glanced in his direction, her stomach flipped, her mind racing with everything her friends had said.

  Why did he come back here? Why is he still here?

  She focused on cleaning the countertop, wiping it down over and over even though it was already spotless. Anything to keep herself distracted. Lucien hadn't said a word to her since his arrival, and she was determined to keep it that way. The less interaction, the better.

  But just as she let out a small breath of relief, a voice suddenly cut through the air, low and calm.

  “Ness.”

  Vanessa nearly jumped out of her skin, her heart stopping as she whipped around to face Lucien. She blinked, her wide eyes locking onto his impassive grey ones. He was standing by the counter now, close enough that she hadn’t even realized he’d moved from his seat. His presence was so quiet, so controlled, that he seemed to materialize out of thin air.

  For a moment, all Vanessa could do was stare, her mind scrambling to catch up. Did he just call me…Ness…again?

  “I—uh—” she stammered, her heart racing. “Yes?”

  Lucien’s expression didn’t cMarin, his gaze sharp and steady as ever. “Your coworkers and your mother called you ‘Ness’ earlier. But yesterday, you introduced yourself as Vanessa.” His tone was matter-of-fact, as if he was simply stating an observation. “It’s a nickname, isn’t it?”

  Vanessa blinked, still reeling from the suddenness of his question. She couldn’t believe he’d noticed something like that—let alone brought it up. Of all the things he could have said, she hadn’t expected this. She swallowed hard, trying to find her voice.

  “Y-Yeah,” she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s just a nickname. My mom and my friends call me that.”

  Lucien nodded slightly, as if that answered some unspoken question. “Makes sense.”

  Vanessa’s mind was still spinning, her body rigid with nerves. She couldn’t believe he was standing here, talking to her again. And not just talking to her—asking about her nickname. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she had no idea how to handle this.

  There was a long, awkward pause as Vanessa stood there, fidgeting with the edge of her apron. She could feel her cheeks heating up again, the same embarrassing flush that seemed to follow her every time Lucien so much as glanced in her direction.

  Why is he asking about my name? she thought, her mind racing. Why is he even talking to me at all?

  Lucien, however, seemed completely unfazed. He regarded her with the same calm expression he always wore, his hands resting casually at his sides. His presence, while intimidating, didn’t feel hostile. If anything, he seemed… curious. Or at least, as curious as someone like Lucien could be.

  “You’re good at your job,” Lucien said suddenly, breaking the silence.

  Vanessa’s eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. What? Was that… a compliment? From him? She stared at him, utterly flabbergasted. “I—I… Thank you,” she stammered, her voice shaky.

  Lucien nodded again, his gaze unwavering. “Despite yesterday’s incident, you kept your composure. Most people wouldn’t have handled that as well as you did.”

  Vanessa felt like the ground was slipping out from under her. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her hands shook slightly as she gripped the edge of the counter, trying to process the surreal moment.

  “Y-You noticed that?” she asked, her voice barely audible.

  Lucien’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if the question itself was unnecessary. “I notice everything.”

  That simple statement made Vanessa’s heart skip a beat. Of course he did. He was, known for his sharp attention to detail and quick reflexes. She shouldn’t have been surprised, but hearing it directed at her still made her pulse race.

  Before she could respond, Lucien’s gaze flickered briefly to the back of the bakery, where Robin and Emma were still busy with customers. He leaned in just a fraction, his voice lowering slightly. “Your mother… she’s a bit intense, isn’t she?”

  Vanessa’s eyes widened in shock, and she felt her face burn with embarrassment all over again. She couldn’t help the small, nervous laugh that escaped her. “Y-Yeah, she’s… definitely intense.”

  Lucien’s mouth twitched, the smallest hint of amusement flashing in his eyes before his expression returned to its usual calm. “She means well, though.”

  Vanessa blinked, still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that she was having this conversation with him. Actually making small talk.

  The entire situation felt surreal, and Vanessa couldn’t help but feel like she was in some kind of strange dream. She glanced down at her hands, her fingers twisting nervously in the fabric of her apron. She had no idea what to say next. The silence between them stretched on, but Lucien didn’t seem to mind. He was perfectly content to stand there, observing her with those sharp, unreadable eyes.

  Finally, Vanessa found her voice again. “I’m really sorry about her, by the way,” she mumbled, her cheeks still flushed. “She shouldn’t have said… all those things.”

  Lucien’s gaze didn’t waver. “Like I said earlier. I’ve dealt with worse.”

  Vanessa nodded quickly, biting her lip as she tried to suppress the overwhelming embarrassment threatening to overtake her again. She couldn’t believe her mother had put her in such a position, and now she was standing here, face-to-face with Captain Vale, trying to act like it was no big deal. But it was a big deal—to her, at least.

  Just then, Robin and Emma appeared from the back of the shop, their eyes darting between Vanessa and Lucien with the same look of disbelief they’d worn all day. Robin’s mouth opened slightly, as if she couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing.

  Vanessa noticed immediately and felt her stomach twist. Great, she thought. Here we go again.

  But to her surprise, Lucien didn’t seem to notice—or if he did, he didn’t care. He glanced back at her one last time, his expression unreadable. “I’ll be back tomorrow,” he said simply, turning on his heel and making his way toward the door.

  Vanessa stood frozen in place, her heart racing as she watched him leave. The bell above the door chimed softly as it closed behind him, and for a long moment, the bakery was silent.

  Then, as if on cue, Robin and Emma both turned to her, their eyes wide with shock.

  “Ness,” Robin began, her voice filled with awe. “What the hell was that?”

  Vanessa could only stare at the door, her mind spinning in a million different directions. She didn’t know how to explain it. She didn’t even know if she could explain it.

  “I have no idea,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I honestly have no idea.”

  "Did that just happen?!" Robin whisper-shouted, her hands flailing wildly as she struggled to contain her excitement. "Did Captain Vale actually just talk to you again? He came back just to talk to you!"

  Emma nodded vigorously, her expression equally animated. "Not only that, Ness—he literally said he’s coming back tomorrow! That’s not normal. That’s… that’s huge!" She threw her hands up dramatically. "Oh my God, Captain Vale is so into you!"

  Vanessa blinked, her head spinning from the sheer intensity of their reactions. She still couldn’t wrap her mind around what had just happened, let alone the idea that Lucien Vale, Humanity’s Strongest Soldier, could possibly be interested in her.

  "Wait, no!" Vanessa protested, her face flushing deep red again. "That’s not—he’s not—there’s no way! He’s not into me. He just… likes the tea or something. He’s probably just being polite."

  Robin raised an eyebrow, folding her arms across her chest. “Oh, come on, Ness. You’re kidding yourself. He didn’t just come back for the tea. He barely even looked at us yesterday or today. But you? He couldn’t take his eyes off you. And he definitely didn’t come back because he thinks we’re great conversationalists.”

  Emma chimed in, her voice full of excitement. "He called you Ness. He remembered what your mom and we call you. That’s not something someone just casually does. And then he tells you he’ll be back tomorrow? That’s not normal, Vanessa."

  Vanessa’s heart pounded in her chest, and she shook her head fiercely. “No. No way. He’s just… observant! He’s a soldier, remember? He probably noticed that from his surroundings, just like he notices everything else. It doesn’t mean anything.”

  But even as she said the words, doubt began creeping into her mind. Why had Lucien come back? Why had he spoken to her again, asked about her nickname, and made small talk about her mother? It didn’t add up, and the more Vanessa tried to reason it away, the more she realized that Robin and Emma might be right.

  Still, the idea of Lucien being interested in her felt absurd. He was a hero who carried the weight of unimaginable responsibility. Why on earth would someone like him notice her, of all people?

  “It’s preposterous,” Vanessa muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. “There’s no way. He probably just feels sorry for me after yesterday. Or maybe he’s just polite. He’s not interested.”

  But Robin and Emma excMarind a knowing look, their expressions still brimming with excitement.

  “Vanessa,” Robin said slowly, her tone playful but serious. “Guys like Lucien Vale don’t just show up twice in a row, remember your nickname, and tell you they’ll come back unless they’re interested.”

  “Exactly!” Emma added, nodding eagerly. “He’s noticed you, Ness. You can’t deny it.”

  Before Vanessa could respond, the door to the back room creaked open, and out stepped Vivian, her face absolutely beaming with smug satisfaction. She had clearly been listening to the entire conversation, and her wide grin only confirmed it.

  "I knew it," Vivian said with a triumphant air, hands on her hips. "I knew Captain Vale liked you, Ness. Didn’t I tell you yesterday that you’re a catch?"

  Vanessa’s heart dropped, her face burning with a fresh wave of embarrassment. She couldn’t believe her mother had been eavesdropping, and worse, that she was now joining in the conversation.

  “Mom!” Vanessa groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Please, not you too! This is not what’s happening.”

  Vivian shook her head, the same knowing grin plastered on her face. “Oh, it is happening. You heard him, Vanessa. He’s coming back tomorrow. He wouldn’t do that if he wasn’t interested. I knew I saw something between you two yesterday.” She glanced toward Robin and Emma for support, clearly pleased with herself.

  Robin nodded, laughing softly. “Vivian’s right, Ness. Captain Vale likes you.”

  Vanessa’s head spun, her pulse racing. This couldn’t be happening. Lucien couldn’t be interested in her. It was impossible. It was absurd. And yet, the evidence was staring her in the face.

  “No, no, no,” Vanessa muttered, shaking her head again, refusing to accept the idea. “This is ridiculous. He’s just being… polite! He’s not into me. There’s no way.”

  But even as she said it, the doubts continued to gnaw at her. The way Lucien had looked at her, the way he had spoken to her so calmly, the fact that he had come back and told her he’d be back tomorrow—it didn’t make sense, unless…

  No. She wouldn’t believe it.

  Vivian, sensing Vanessa’s growing frustration, placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder, her voice softening slightly. “Vanessa, sometimes things happen when you least expect them. And I think Captain Vale sees something in you. Just… don’t close yourself off from it.”

  Vanessa couldn’t even look at her mother. Her heart was racing, her mind a chaotic storm of emotions. “Mom, please. It’s not like that. I don’t want to think about it.”

  But Vivian wasn’t backing down. “I’m just saying, Ness, if he comes back tomorrow—and I know he will—you should give him a chance. Maybe he’s not just here for the tea.”

  Vanessa felt the floor beneath her feet shift, her world tilting as she struggled to process everything that had happened. Could Lucien actually be interested in her? And if he was, what did that even mean?

  She shook her head again, her voice barely above a whisper. “There’s no way… there’s just no way…”

  But even as the words left her lips, she couldn’t help but wonder.

  What if there was?