The Library bet part III
Ling had replayed her conversation with Orm about coffee and book analysis at least ten times since the blonde had left the library. Now, she stood in front of the café, nervously tugging at the strap of her messenger bag.
Orm was already inside, waving enthusiastically when she saw Ling through the glass. Amber eyes sparkled, her smile wide and inviting. Ling took a deep breath, pushing the door open.
"You're right on time," Orm said as Ling approached the table. A steaming cup of coffee waited for her, and next to it sat a bakery box with a familiar logo.
Ling raised an eyebrow. "You brought dessert to a coffee date?"
Orm grinned, leaning back in her chair. "Not just any dessert. This is the pie. The one I told you about when I won the scavenger hunt." She tapped the box like it was a treasure chest. "It felt wrong not to share it with the person who made that win possible."
Ling shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're really determined to make a lasting impression, aren't you?"
Orm smirked. "Is it working?"
Ling didn't answer immediately, instead taking a seat and picking up the coffee. "We'll see," she said, her tone teasing but warm.
Orm laughed, sliding the pie box closer and flipping the lid open. "Apple pie, as promised. But I also brought forks. I figured cutting slices here would be... frowned upon."
Ling chuckled, her nerves easing as Orm's easygoing energy filled the space. "Forks? How considerate. You've thought of everything."
"Only the best for my favorite librarian." Orm winked, and Ling rolled her eyes, though she couldn't fight back her smile.
As they shared the pie, their conversation flowed effortlessly. Orm recounted her late-night marathon of The Night Circus, complete with wildly dramatic reenactments of her favorite scenes. Ling listened, laughing more than she had in weeks, her usual reserve melting away under Orm's warmth.
"I have to admit," Ling said between bites, "I didn't expect you to take the book club scavenger hunt so seriously. Or to follow through on coffee."
Orm leaned forward, her expression softening. "Well, you're kind of unforgettable, Ling. I didn't really have a choice."
Ling's breath caught at the sincerity in Orm's voice. For a moment, she didn't know what to say. Instead, she took another bite of pie, hoping the slight warmth in her cheeks wasn't too obvious.
"So," Orm said, leaning her chin on her hand, "when do I get to bring you another pie?"
Ling raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a small smile. "Who says I'll let you?"
Orm laughed, her amber eyes glowing with mischief. "Challenge accepted."
As they finished the pie and lingered over their coffee, Ling realized something she hadn't allowed herself to admit before: maybe the universe wasn't entirely random. Maybe, just maybe, Orm's chaos was exactly what her orderly world had been missing.