Chapter 2 - Latte Schemes
913 Words
Here's the scene condensed and revised:
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The bell above The Java Jive jingled as Sophie and I stepped inside, the warm scent of coffee and pastries enveloping us. Normally, this café was my sanctuary, a cozy space to catch up over lattes. But today, the familiar ambiance felt suffocating.
It was lunchtime, and the place buzzed with energy. Students hunched over laptops, couples chatted in booths, and baristas hustled behind the counter, but I felt a weight pressing down on me. Sophie had insisted we meet here to discuss my ridiculous plan to prove Jake wrong. I wasn’t going to let him walk away with the happy ending while I was left picking up the pieces.
As we slid into our usual booth by the window, I shoved my phone into my pocket, ignoring the unread messages piling up. My birthday—meant to be a day of celebration—had become a nightmare.
“If Jake can move on, then so can I,” I said, trying to convince myself. “Even if it’s just for show.”
Sophie flashed a sympathetic smile, her dark eyes twinkling with understanding. “Okay, what’s the plan?”
“I’m going to ask Jason to help,” I said, fiddling with my napkin. Sophie’s eyebrows shot up.
“Jason? Our Jason? The one who works here?”
“Yeah! He’s sweet, dependable, and cute. It would be believable, right?”
“But Jake knows you two are friends. He won’t buy it,” Sophie pointed out.
“Maybe he could see the whole friends-to-lovers angle?” I suggested, though doubt crept in.
“Emma, this whole ‘fake it till you make it’ thing might backfire. What if Jason says no?”
“I know it’s a long shot,” I admitted quietly, “but I can’t watch Jake build a new life while I feel like this.”
Sophie took my hand, her thumb brushing over my knuckles. “Just don’t get your hopes up too high. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
I nodded, appreciating her concern but already set on my course. Just then, Jason emerged from the kitchen, balancing a tray and flashing his easy smile.
“Hey, birthday girl!” he grinned, leaning in for a quick side-hug.
“Hey, Jason,” I replied, tension easing from his upbeat energy.
“What can I get for you ladies today?” he asked.
Sophie and I exchanged a glance, and I took a deep breath. “Actually, we need to talk to you about something.”
Jason’s brow furrowed, and he leaned in. “Uh-oh, sounds serious.”
“Not that serious. More Emma-level serious,” Sophie teased.
“Alright, hit me with it. What’s going on?”
I took a deep breath. “So… you saw Jake’s post, right? He’s engaged. And they’re three months pregnant.”
Jason’s eyes widened. “Three months? No way.”
I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Yup. And he posted it today. On my birthday.”
“What a jerk. I’m really sorry, Emma. That’s tough.”
“But that’s not why I wanted to talk to you. I have this idea, and I need your help.”
Jason leaned forward, curious. “What kind of idea?”
“I want Jake to think I’ve moved on. Can you pretend to be my boyfriend? Just for a little while?”
He blinked, taken aback. “Uh, Emma… I wish I could help, but I’m kind of seeing someone.”
My heart sank. “Oh.”
“Yeah, she’s amazing. I don’t want to mess things up with her.”
I forced a smile. “Of course. I’m happy for you.”
“Hey, you’ve got friends who care about you,” he said.
Sophie added, “You don’t need a fake boyfriend to prove anything to Jake. He’s not worth it.”
“I know,” I replied quietly, though the idea of letting Jake off the hook gnawed at me.
“I just… I don’t know what to do. Jake’s happy, and I can’t stand it.”
“Look, you deserve better than a fake revenge plot,” Jason said. “Trust me.”
But I didn’t respond. The need for revenge was too strong. Jason sighed and glanced over his shoulder. “How about you come by tonight? Java Jive becomes a club after seven.”
“I don’t know…” I hesitated.
“Come on! It’s your birthday. You should be enjoying it, not plotting world domination,” Jason encouraged.
Sophie leaned in. “And if nothing else, I can try to find a hookup.”
Jason and his coworker returned to the kitchen, and Sophie grinned. “Goodness, I had no idea men like that still existed. That guy is some fine-ass man candy.”
“Focus, Sophie,” I said, though I couldn’t help but smile.
“You don’t have to pretend. Just have fun,” she urged.
“I don’t want to go to some party and act like everything's fine,” I said.
“Emma, you need this. Plus, we need new outfits for the party.”
I groaned but felt warmth spreading in my chest. Maybe a night out and some shopping would help. If Jake could move on, maybe it was time I started to as well—if only to show him he wasn’t the only one capable of happiness.
- Writer
