"I'll get us some more coffee," Noah said, pushing back his chair as he grinned at Leigh.

            "I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight," she admitted, but even without the caffeine, she would probably have had a restless night.

            "I'll get decaf," he offered. Looking at her sheepishly, he admitted, "I don't really want you to leave yet."

            "That makes two of us."

            The smile on Noah's face could have casted a glow upon the entire town and it made Leigh's stomach tighten in response. 

        Her insides had been doing summersaults all night. It was the same feeling she got when she was rooting for the two main characters in a good book; an internal-squealing, heart-pounding, stomach-clenching feeling that buried itself inside her. But this was about Noah, her absolutely, one hundred percent non-fictional boyfriend.

        When he returned, he handed over her refill, and sat down. "They're closing in five minutes, so I was thinking we could go for a walk."

            "I like the way you think, Noah."

            "Noah Ridge."

            "What?"

            "That's my last name."

            "Noah Ridge," she repeated.

            Leigh instantly adored it. She loved the way he pronounced it, the way it rolled off her own tongue, the way it sounded. God, it was perfect.

            "Leigh Hewitt," she said, as she stood.

            Noah paused for a moment, then smiled, offering his hand. "Miss Hewitt, may I take you on a moonlight stroll?"

            "You nay," she said, sliding her fingers between his. Her cheeks hurt from all her smiling.

            Noah laughed softly, holding her hand tighter. Together, the pair walked out of the coffee shop, waving goodbye to the baristas as they stepped onto the silent streets. 

            It had only been two hours since they physically met, but she loved the way they were together. How it wasn't awkward, how they both made each other laugh so effortlessly and still had teasing flirtatious comments bouncing back and forth.

            Leigh took a sip from her styrofoam cup with her free hand. "So, are you an English student?"

            "Surprisingly, no. Reading and writing is something I do in my spare time."

            "You write?"

            I'm dating an author, Leigh thought.

            "Occasionally. Never anything major though. I never have the time to focus on any particularly big project between my classes."

        "What do you major in?" she asked. Then added, "Other than procrastination."

        Noah smiled, as if she read his mind. "I study business management. I'd love to do a course on children's literature one day though and write a children's picture book."

            "What would it be about?"

             "I always wanted to write a book about a dog and a duck," Noah said. His thumb absentmindedly ran down hers as he spoke. "They go on adventures together and help get each other out of trouble." 

              "Sounds like a best-seller," Leigh said. "I would buy it."

              "I'm going to hold you to that," Noah said. 

               He held on to her hand, but stepped away. Before Leigh realised what was happening, Noah spun her under his arm. She twirled like a ballerina under his arm before she was pulled back to his chest. Leigh's spare hand was holding her coffee to her chest and as the two collided, the brown liquid sloshed around in the cup. A small splash made its way out of the lid and sunk itself into Noah's jumper. 

              They both looked at the stain. Then they both burst out laughing.

              "I was hoping that would be more romantic," Noah said. 

               He looked at her. Leigh looked back. Her heart was hammering, her knees suddenly jelly. A piece of hair had fallen across Noah's forehead and brushed against the thin, round frames of his glasses. Her gaze fell to his eyes. She couldn't tell what colour his eyes were. A mix of green and blue? Almost grey?

                Kind of like a thunderstorm: mesmerising.

                Noah's eyes were on hers. She was unaware of everything except for him at that moment. 

                Leigh let in a sharp inhale, suddenly feeling breathless. 

                 "Can you tell me something?" she asked, her voice slightly above a whisper.

                  "Anything," he said. It came out quickly, in a soft single breath. Noah had leaned down, their faces so close.

              The whole evening felt dreamy. Leigh felt like a feather floating between clouds. A gust of wind could blow her back to reality and her surroundings would be swept away. 

               Leigh opened her mouth to say something, but then her phone began buzzing. It was as if they were in a trance and the sound had broken them both out of it. Noah gently let go of her hand and stepped back so she could locate her phone. When she looked at the glowing screen, she chewed on her lip.

           "That's my brother, Alex. He's in town."

           "It's getting pretty late, I should walk you back to your car."

            "I still have a few minutes," she lied.

            Noah could tell it was a lie, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he redirected the course of their walk back to the carpark. Leigh didn't protest. His hand slipped back into place with hers.

            Alex had only gotten back to town this morning, but he was already all up in her business. He had finished his university studies and was back looking for jobs closer to home. It made their Korean mother very happy that her son was looking for work within a reasonable driving distance from their childhood home. Alex liked being busy though and when he wasn't looking for jobs, he was annoying the life out of Leigh.

            Leigh had gotten used to living without her brother for the past five years. Relearning to now that they were much older was proving to be challenging. 

            "What's your family like?" Noah asked. "You said your brother was in town?"

             "Yeah, he's just finished his dentistry degree so he's looking for work here. My mum and dad are...strict. They always want the best for us, but they do put a lot of unintentional pressure on me and my brother. What are your parents like? Do you have any siblings?"

            Noah shook his head. "I'm an only child. It's just me and my mum. It's okay though, I still see my dad occasionally. I wouldn't say we have the best relationship, but I'm okay with that. My mum is my ride or die."

           The corner of Leigh's lips arched up into a small smile. "My mum is the same for me. I don't know what I'd do without her. Is your mum local?"

           "No, I lived on the coast. It's about a two hour drive from here in a sleepy seaside town. I will take you out there sometime." Noah squeezed her hand.

          Leigh smiled. "I would like that."

           Noah leaned towards her and tossed his empty coffee cup in the bin. Leigh took one last drink from hers and did the same. But once the cup was gone, she realised something was wrong. Other than Noah's hand, there was no more warmth. With her free hand, Leigh reached over and rubbed her arm.

            Her bare arm.

            "Oh, my jacket," she said, chewing her lip.

            Noah looked over at her as if he just realised too and instantly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to his chest. Behind her, he looked at his watch.

            "Maybe we can catch them," he suggested, holding her close in an attempt to keep her warm.

            "You think so?" Leigh answered.

            Noah gently let her go and took her hand again. "If we're quick."

            Then, without warning, he started off at a run, pulling Leigh with him. The wind was harsh, wrapping around Leigh's bare arms, touching her with cold kisses and piercing through her skin. But despite the cold, she found herself laughing, feeling free and wild and one hundred percent happy.

            Leigh could see the coffee shop before they arrived; a small dark space, undeniably closed. But that didn't stop them from running. They continued, all the way down until they were in front of The Queue, noses pressed against the glass, shutters down to keep outsiders away while the closing staff finished their duties. 

            Leigh let out an involuntary noise that suggested her chilliness.

            So Noah released her hand and pulled off his jumper, revealing a grey t-shirt underneath. 

            "Take my jumper," he said, handing it over.

            "I couldn't," she answered.

            "Please," he insisted.

            Leigh shook her head.

            "So everyone will know that I've been in love tonight.

            Her heart fluttered. 

            Leigh gently took the jumper from him and put it on. "Thank you," she whispered.

            "Besides, it'll give me an excuse to see you tomorrow."

            "Two in the  afternoon, The Queue, for coffee and donuts?" she suggested. 

            "You read my mind," he answered, gently drawing her closer for one last goodnight kiss.