Chapter Text
Sophie hadn’t meant to run into anyone. In fact, she had been trying to avoid people. But on the crowded streets of London, where the Valentine’s Day rush was in full force, avoiding anyone was a near impossible feat.
She adjusted the large, canvas tote bag slung over her shoulder, the one that always felt like it weighed a ton by the end of a long day. Inside, it was filled with boxes of freshly baked treats, a batch of heart-shaped shortbreads and a tray of delicate raspberry tarts. She could almost smell the sweetness from the bag, despite the noise and chaos of the city around her.
She wasn’t even sure why she was here. Kent was home, with its quiet lanes and the warm smell of flour in the air, but her bakery had been flooded with Valentine’s Day orders, so she’d been forced to travel into the city for a delivery. That’s all it was, she kept telling herself. One quick meeting. Then back to the peace of her little shop.
But London never felt peaceful but today, it felt particularly chaotic.
The streets were lined with red roses, balloons, and heart-shaped garlands, making everything look like a scene from a cheesy rom-com. Sophie was never one for the over-the-top gestures, especially on Valentine’s Day. The pressure people put on the holiday always made her anxious, made her feel like love was something to be bought, not shared. She sighed, pulling the hood of her coat tighter around her face.
And that’s when she bumped into him.
Literally.
Her small frame collided with the solid, unmistakably masculine chest of someone, sending her, thankfully, cold coffee splashing across his coat. The bag in her hand tipped, and she could hear the soft clink of delicate tarts shifting inside.
“Sorry!” she blurted, the coffee cup hitting the floor as she grabbed at the bag before anything could spill out. “I didn’t see you there.”
“No, no, my fault.” A voice, deep and smooth, replied, and Sophie looked up, meeting the gaze of a man she’d never seen before.
For a moment, time seemed to freeze.
He was tall, with sharp cheekbones and a scruff of dark stubble along his jaw. His eyes were an intense shade of blue, almost unsettling in their clarity. His lips twisted into a quick, apologetic smile, and he took a step back to give her space.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his gaze darting to her bag. “Nothing spilled?”
Sophie quickly checked the contents, relieved to find everything intact. “All good. Just a little shaken up.”
He smiled again, and Sophie felt a strange jolt of recognition, like she'd met him somewhere before, but couldn’t place it. Maybe it was the look of him, or the warmth in his eyes. Something familiar, but elusive.
“You sure?” he asked. “It’s really busy today.”
She nodded. “I’m fine. Just trying to get through it. Valentine’s Day… it’s a bit much sometimes, sorry about the coffee.”
He chuckled softly. “Tell me about it. I’ve spent the last few days trying to get a commercial to feel… real. Like love, you know? But it’s impossible with all the… glitter and hearts. It’s too much sometimes.”
Sophie raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the strange connection they seemed to be forming in just a few short words. "What kind of commercial?"
He paused, then shrugged with a half-smile. "Event advertising. I work in a creative department here in London. You'd be surprised how difficult it is to make something genuine when everyone's throwing around rose petals and saying ‘perfect’ a hundred times.”
Sophie smiled, glad to hear someone else sharing her frustration. “I get it. I’m a baker, and I’ve been up all night making these ridiculous love-themed cakes. I just want to make something real, not… sugar-coated.”
He laughed, and the sound was unexpectedly warm, like a deep breath on a cold day. “So we’re both in the business of selling love, huh?”
She nodded, her smile tugging at her lips. “Looks that way.”
A brief silence fell between them. Sophie found herself studying him, trying to pinpoint where she had seen him before. But before she could ask, a honking horn interrupted them, and he quickly glanced over his shoulder.
“I’ve gotta go,” he said, his voice soft. “But it was nice running into you.”
Sophie blinked, feeling an odd sense of disappointment despite knowing they would never cross paths again. “Yeah, it was. Take care.”
And just like that, he was gone, swallowed by the crowd.
Sophie stood there for a moment, her heart beating a little faster than usual. She couldn’t explain why the encounter had felt so… significant , but she shook it off. After all, it was just a brief interaction. There was no way it meant anything.
Still, as she turned to walk back toward the tube station, she couldn't help but wonder if she’d somehow just crossed paths with someone she was supposed to know.