He was waiting outside the diner. Her shift was about to end, and then he could finally see her again. This time he’d be courageous. This time he’d speak the words he’d been dying to say for months.

The church bells rang twelve times. With each passing chime, his nerves frayed, his heartbeat quickened. When the final bell faded into silence, another soft jingle followed—the bell above the diner door.

And then there she was. Gorgeous as ever. Blonde hair falling over her bordeaux cardigan, the click-clack of her heels echoing through the nearly empty street.

He followed her. He always did. But tonight, he’d finally speak. Somewhere quieter. Somewhere private.

She walked her usual route: across busy streets, through the little park, heading toward the subway.

It was now or never.

“Excuse me?” he called.

She slowed, but didn’t stop.

“Excuse me?” he said again, louder this time.

She turned. Brown eyes narrowed slightly, cautious. “Can I help you?” Her voice was firm, but quiet.

“Yeah… I—I have something I need to say. I’m in love with you.”

Her face shifted instantly. “What?”

He took a step closer. She stepped back.

“I’ve been in love with you, Mia. Since the day you gave me that pie slice on the house. I knew, right then, that I would love you. And I do.”

She blinked, confused. “I don’t… I’ve never seen you before.”

“It was five months and six days ago. My birthday. A sad day—until you.”

A flicker of recognition crossed her face. “Wait… I think I remember now.”

“You do? Oh, that makes me so happy.”
One step closer.
One step farther back.

“See? I knew you were perfect. I know everything about you. The way you bite your lip when you’re nervous. What foods you like. Your favorite customers. The ones you pretend to like.”

Her voice trembled slightly. “This is… really freaking me out.”

“Oh no, don’t be scared.” He smiled. “I’m harmless. Just a man in love. You’ll see.”

“I’d rather not.”
She turned.
She ran.

He watched her go, heart pounding—not with fear, but something else. Something deeper.

“You can run from me,” he murmured, eyes fixed on the direction she fled. “But you can’t run from love.”

A soft smile touched his lips.
“You’ll love me back. You just don’t know it yet.”