Just a Coffee
813 Words
Alyssa
He claimed the table nearest hers, pulling out the chair with quiet deliberation.
Close enough to hear her breathing if he listened.
Just far enough not to touch her.
Cole shrugged off his hood, rainwater sliding off the fabric, and leaned back in his seat.
Alyssa sipped her coffee, trying to focus on the rain-smeared window.
She could feel him near—his presence heavier than the humid air.
She told herself not to look.
Not to engage.
But when she set her cup down, her gaze betrayed her.
The man was already watching her.
Not in a predatory way.
Not invasive.
Just... aware.
Their eyes locked for a beat too long.
He smiled. Just a small, almost shy curve of his mouth.
Alyssa felt her heart trip.
He tilted his head slightly, a silent question.
An invitation.
Before she could second-guess herself, she gave a faint nod.
He stood, coffee in hand, and moved to the empty chair across from her.
"Mind if I sit?" he asked, his voice low and rich, even softer up close.
Alyssa shook her head.
"It’s a free country."
He chuckled quietly, the sound low and rough.
Up close, he looked even more devastating. Strong jaw, dark lashes framing eyes that weren’t black after all—
Dark brown, but so deep and intense they almost swallowed the light, and she swore she could make out gold lining the circle of the beautiful brown.
"Cole," he said, offering his hand across the table.
She hesitated a fraction too long before taking it. His palm was warm, his grip firm but not crushing.
"Alyssa," she said, her voice steadier than she felt.
They let go, but the contact left a strange tingling under her skin.
She stared at her hand for a moment, realizing she probably looked crazy, she quickly lowered it back to the table.
Cole leaned back slightly, studying her in a way that felt almost careful.
"You live around here?" he asked.
"A few blocks over," she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You?"
He nodded.
"Not far. I just moved back after... being away for a while."
Something flickered behind his words, but he didn’t offer more.
Alyssa sipped her coffee to fill the silence.
"It’s not usually this empty," she said, glancing around the quiet café.
"Rain probably scared everyone off."
"Guess we’re the stubborn ones," he said, smiling a little wider.
She found herself smiling back, surprising even herself.
A normal conversation.
Normal words.
Normal people.
So why did it feel like the world had narrowed to just this table?
Alyssa shifted in her seat, needing to break the spell.
"You from the city originally?" she asked.
Cole’s gaze softened.
"A long time ago," he said. "Feels like several lifetimes, though."
A strange answer.
She didn’t push. She didn’t have the energy to unravel other people’s mysteries today.
They talked for what felt like hours, though it had only been about forty-five minutes.
The conversation had been easy, casual—surprisingly comfortable.
Alyssa glanced at her phone and sighed.
She needed to get home and get ready for work.
Her shift at the restaurant up the street started at one o’clock, and she was already pushing it.
She stood, slipping her purse over her shoulder.
"I’m sorry, but I have to get to work," she said, offering him a small smile.
Cole stood too, his movements easy.
"I wouldn’t want to keep you," he said, returning her smile.
Alyssa hesitated, not wanting to seem rude.
"I really enjoyed talking with you," she added.
For a second, Cole looked like he might let her go.
Then he took a breath, like he was gathering his nerves.
"Would you..." he started, then steadied himself.
"Would you like to grab dinner tomorrow? Maybe a walk in the park after?"
The question hung between them—simple, but not casual.
Alyssa paused, her heart beating a little too fast.
She hadn't said yes to anyone in a long time.
Hadn’t wanted to.
“S-u-sure, i’d like that.” she stammered as she felt her cheeks warming under his sight.
“Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow. Text me your address and I will pick you up.” Cole said with a dazzling smile.
She watched him leave, the door swinging shut behind him with a soft thud.
The chair beneath her seemed to pull her in, and she let herself sink into it. She held her coffee, focusing on the warmth it exuded.
For a moment, the world outside the café blurred into nothing.
She needed the silence.
Just a few minutes to breathe, to collect herself before facing the day.
Her mind remained too clouded, thoughts circling too fast to catch.
Work waited, but she wasn’t ready to move yet.
Luckily, she had time to sit before she needed to go in.
- Writer
