Chapter 17: Coffee
234 Words
Friday. 7 PM. Coffee Shop.
Aria arrived 10 minutes early. She kept checking her phone.
Damian walked in 2 minutes later. He looked nervous. And handsome.
"Hi," Damian said.
"Hi," Aria replied. She couldn't meet his eyes.
They ordered coffee. Black for Damian. Caramel latte for Aria. She still remembered.
Awkward silence.
"Thank you for coming," Damian said finally.
Aria nodded. "It's about Emma."
Damian smiled sadly. "Always about Emma."
They talked about school. About schedules. About Emma's upcoming recital.
It was... normal. Easy. Like before.
Then Damian said, "Can I ask you something?"
Aria tensed. "What?"
"Are you happy?" Damian asked quietly.
Aria looked down at her cup. "I'm... trying to be. For Emma."
Damian nodded. "I messed up, Aria. So bad. And I know sorry isn't enough. But I want to make it right. For you. For her."
Aria was quiet for a long time.
"I don't know if I can trust you again," Aria whispered. "Not yet."
"I know," Damian said. "I don't expect you to. Can we just... start as friends? For Emma?"
Aria looked up. Damian looked tired. But sincere. Like he meant it.
"Okay," Aria said. "Friends. For Emma."
Damian exhaled. Like he'd been holding his breath.
"Friends," Damian repeated.
When they left, Damian walked Aria to her car.
"Goodnight, Aria," Damian said.
"Goodnight," Aria replied.
And for the first time in 3 years, saying goodnight didn't hurt.
- Writer
