“I take it back,” Ethan’s eyes widened with genuine awe as he took in the room, his gaze falling on a delicate wooden door set into the wall “You have a room just for a library?”

Arizona smiled, her fingers fumbling with a key she retrieved from the nightstand. “I told you my mother made this apartment magical,” she said with a hint of nostalgia in her voice. “This bedroom was mine when I was little. And this door”—she inserted the key into the lock with a soft click—“leads to a secret passage.”

Ethan's curiosity peaked. “A secret passage? Really?”

Before Arizona could respond, she turned the key and pushed the door open, revealing a narrow staircase leading upwards. Ethan’s amazement grew even more intense. “The building has only one floor and an attic,” she explained, her voice tinged with excitement. “This passage leads to the attic. Come on, let’s not waste time. We wouldn’t want to drop that pie.”

Ethan chuckled, following her up the stairs with a newfound sense of adventure. “Lead the way,” he said, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. “And here I was thinking the library was the highlight of the evening.”

“I’m surprised Diana didn’t mention it,” Arizona said as she led the way up the stairs. “I showed it to her while you were out of it with your injuries.”

Ethan sighed, following closely behind. “She’s a teenager, Arizona. It’s like pulling teeth to get her to share anything. She has a talent for keeping secrets.”

Arizona laughed softly. “I suppose I can’t blame her, with such a protective brother.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow, catching the playful tone. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Arizona just smiled, her gaze focused on the staircase ahead. “You’ll see.”

They reached the attic, and Arizona pushed open a hidden door, revealing a room bathed in the soft glow of antique lamps. The space was filled with the warm scent of old paper and polished wood. Shelves lined the walls, stacked with leather-bound volumes and yellowed manuscripts. In the center of the room stood a large, ornate wooden table covered in open books and delicate, brass trinkets. A velvet armchair sat in one corner, next to a window that offered a view of the starlit sky. The walls were adorned with intricate, hand-painted murals of fantastical landscapes and mythical creatures, lending the room an enchanting, otherworldly quality.

Ethan’s eyes widened as he took in the scene. “This is incredible. It’s like stepping into a storybook.”

Arizona smiled, clearly pleased with his reaction. “My mother’s touch, definitely. She wanted it to be a magical retreat.”

Ethan set the pie on the table, his eyes wide with wonder as he reached out to touch the books, running his fingers over their spines as if absorbing their essence. “You have a Phoenix painted on the wall!” he exclaimed, almost in disbelief, his hand lingering on the vibrant mural.

“Yes,” Arizona chuckled. “And a griffon, fairies, stormy seas, and ships—every child’s dream.”

Ethan looked around in awe. “It’s a masterpiece, Arizona. I’m truly at a loss for words.”

Arizona’s gaze softened as she watched him take in the room. “My mother painted these while she was pregnant with me. She passed on her love for this place, you could say.”

Ethan shook his head, still marveling at the murals. “If I were you, I’d never want to leave this place.”

Arizona nodded, her smile tinged with nostalgia. “I didn’t, really. My father would bring me here as a reward for good grades. It was my only motivation—to make him proud so he’d take me to this library.”

Ethan admired the room one last time, then turned to Arizona with a newfound respect. “It’s no wonder you cherish it so much.”

Arizona’s eyes sparkled with warmth. “This room is more than just a place to me. It’s a piece of my mother’s magic and a constant reminder of why I keep pushing forward.”

Already seated at the table, Arizona took a bite of the pie. “If you keep staring, I can’t promise there’ll be any left,” she teased with a laugh.

Ethan joined her, diving into the pie with enthusiasm. “Damn it, Arizona,” he said, his eyes lighting up with genuine delight. “This pie is incredible.”

“Told you,” Arizona said with a grin. “Best pies money can’t buy.”

As he savored the pie, Ethan glanced around the library, clearly impressed. “What’s your favorite book? With so many to choose from, it must be tough.”

Arizona thought for a moment, her eyes narrowing in concentration. “Hmm, if we’re talking fiction, I’d say The Hunchback of Notre Dame.For poetry, it’s every love poem by Poe.”

“Poe? That’s an interesting choice,” Ethan said, raising an eyebrow.

Arizona shrugged, a smile playing on her lips. “His work has this mix of melancholy, tenderness, and a touch of darkness. It’s intriguingly mysterious.”

“I can see that,” Ethan agreed. “My favorite is The Divine Comedy. I’d love to get my hands on an original volume by Dante from the university.”

Arizona laughed, covering her face in mock embarrassment. “I read it three times before I really understood anything.”

Ethan chuckled, enjoying the light-hearted exchange. “Looks like we both appreciate a good challenge in our reading.”

Arizona’s eyes twinkled with amusement as she took another bite of pie. “Indeed. And it’s nice to share these moments with someone who understands.”

“And poetry?” Arizona asked, cupping her face with both hands. “If you say Shakespeare, I might have to ban you from the library.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow, amused. “Not a fan of the Stratford playwright?”

Arizona shook her head, laughing. “Not really. His work is so full of patriarchy and melodrama—everyone dies or commits suicide. It’s a bit much for me.”

Ethan chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “Fair enough. I do like Shakespeare, but my real love is for Keats.”

“Now that’s a much better choice,” Arizona said with a smile. “Keats is a fantastic poet.”

Ethan, hinting at the gift he had given her earlier, asked, “Was that a preferred choice?”

Arizona’s eyes softened as she looked at him. “Yes, I loved it, Ethan. It was a thoughtful gift.”

He grinned, clearly pleased with her response. “I’m glad you liked it. I figured you were a library mouse"

Arizona’s smile grew as she savored her last bite of pie. “Absolutely. It’s wonderful to meet someone who appreciates this place as much as I do. Most people don’t really understand why I’m so obsessed with it.”

Ethan took a moment to enjoy the lingering taste of the pie, then looked around the room with genuine admiration. “You know, I’m beginning to think your mother had a real gift for creating sanctuaries for the soul. This place is truly something special.”

As they finished the pie, Ethan stood and moved to a comfortable armchair by the window. “Pick any book you like,” he said with a warm smile.

Arizona tilted her head in curiosity. “Why?”

Ethan’s eyes softened with a hint of nostalgia. “I’d like to read to you. It’s something I used to do with my mother. It helps me relax.”

Arizona’s gaze flickered with a mix of surprise and affection. She wandered over to the bookshelves, her fingers trailing along the spines as she considered her choices. After a moment’s thought, she picked out a classic: **“Pride and Prejudice”** by Jane Austen.

With a playful smile, she held the book up and said, “I hope you’re ready for some romantic entanglements and witty banter. Jane Austen is known to be quite the matchmaker.”

Ethan chuckled as he took the book from her. “I’m ready for whatever you’ve got.”

Arizona settled into an armchair, her posture relaxed yet attentive. Ethan settled into the chair next to her, propping himself on the armrest as he opened the book. He cleared his throat and began reading:

“**It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.**”

He glanced up at Arizona, whose eyes sparkled with anticipation. He continued, his voice warm and engaging:

“**However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.**”

As Ethan read, Arizona’s eyelids grew heavy. The rhythmic, soothing quality of his voice combined with the library’s warm, cozy ambiance soon lulled her into a peaceful sleep. Her breathing slowed, steady and calm. Ethan continued reading softly, careful not to wake her. When he finished the chapter, he set the book aside and admired her serene expression.

Quietly, he rose and went downstairs to fetch a soft, warm blanket. Returning, he draped it gently over Arizona, making sure she was comfortably covered. He took a moment to watch her, his heart full of unspoken emotions. Leaning in, he whispered softly, his voice barely a breath, as he kissed her forehead, “I’ve fallen deeply in love with you.”

With a tender smile, Ethan chose a few books from the shelves: **“The Secret Garden,” “The Wind in the Willows,” and “Wuthering Heights.” He set them gently on the table next to Arizona and crafted a delicate origami flower from a piece of paper. Beside the flower, he placed a note:

“To Arizona, 
I hope these books bring you as much joy as your world has brought me. Consider this a reading list from your favorite English teacher. 
P.S. I may not be a poet, but I’ll always be here to read you a story. 
—Ethan”

He paused for a moment, his gaze filled with affection, before quietly slipping out of the library and closing the door softly behind him
Ethan’s footsteps echoed softly as he descended the staircase, the warmth of the library and the tender moment he shared with Arizona lingering in his mind. The house felt serene and peaceful, bathed in the gentle glow of the night. He moved through the hallway, each step deliberate, feeling a quiet sense of fulfillment.

As he reached the front door, he glanced back one last time, his thoughts returning to the note he’d left and the hope that Arizona would find comfort and delight in the books he’d chosen. With a final, heartfelt sigh, he stepped outside into the cool night air, the stars above a silent witness to his unspoken feelings.

The door clicked shut behind him, and the house settled back into its tranquil state. Inside, the library remained a sanctuary of warmth and magic, with Arizona sleeping peacefully, unaware of the quiet confession and the delicate gifts left beside her. The soft rustle of pages and the faint, comforting scent of old books filled the room, a gentle reminder of the love and care Ethan had poured into that final gesture.
As the night deepened, the library became a timeless haven, holding within its walls the promise of new stories and the quiet, enduring connection between two hearts.