Chapter 44

• The aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped Charlotte and Damien as they settled into a small corner table at the quaint café just down the street from her studio. The café’s ambiance was inviting, with its rustic wooden furniture, soft lighting, and the gentle hum of chatter surrounding them. As Charlotte took a sip of her latte, she couldn’t suppress the smile spreading across her face. The simple pleasure of being in Damien’s presence felt exquisite, a reprieve from the chaos of her artistic pursuits.
• “Okay, so tell me something interesting about yourself that I wouldn’t know,” Damien prompted, his dark eyes glinting with curiosity.
• Charlotte thought for a moment, looking into her cup as if the answer might reveal itself in the froth. “Hmm, let’s see. I once painted a mural in a child’s hospital. It was a project I felt really passionate about. The kids were fantastic and super creative, which made the whole experience unforgettable. I tried to incorporate elements from their favorite stories, so they all felt connected to it.”