When The Past Lingers
1043 Words
Mia Carter didn’t consider herself superstitious.
But when Ethan Lawson walked into her cafe two days in a row, she started to wonder if fate had a twisted sense of humor.
She had just pulled a tray of warm croissants from the oven when the familiar chime of the door rang out. A quiet hush settled over the cafe—brief but noticeable.
Lena, who had been taking an order, shot Mia a knowing glance before returning to her customer.
Mia didn’t look up.
Didn’t need to.
She could feel him.
She busied herself with plating pastries, keeping her hands steady as Ethan stepped up to the counter.
“Morning,” he said, his voice carrying that same hesitant warmth as yesterday.
Mia forced a neutral expression as she met his gaze. “Two days in a row? You sure you’re not lost?”
A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. “Figured I’d see if the coffee was still as good as I remembered.”
She arched a brow. “And?”
“Haven’t had a bad cup yet.”
Lena, never one to miss an opportunity, leaned on the counter. “Well, well. If I didn’t know better, I’d say someone’s making excuses to come back.”
Ethan chuckled. “Maybe I just like good coffee.”
Lena smirked. “Sure. That must be it.”
Mia shot her a look before turning back to Ethan. “The usual?”
He nodded.
As she turned to prepare his order, she could still feel his presence, the weight of his gaze on her. It irritated her how easily he unsettled her.
She had moved on. Had built something for herself.
So why did one look from him still shake her, even after all this time?
Lena handed him his coffee before Mia could. “Here you go, traveler. On the house.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow. “On the house?”
“Consider it a ‘Welcome Back to Ridgewood’ gift.”
Mia folded her arms. “We don’t do free coffee.”
Lena shot her a smug look. “We do when I say we do.”
Ethan chuckled, glancing between them. “Guess I should say thanks.”
Mia sighed. “Don’t get used to it.”
Something unreadable flickered in his expression. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
He hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether to say more, then finally nodded. “See you around.”
This time, Mia did watch him leave.
And she hated how long she stood there afterward.
That Afternoon – Ridgewood Farmer’s Market**
If there was one place Mia could count on for a distraction, it was the Ridgewood Farmer’s Market.
It was a town staple, held every Saturday in the town square, with local vendors selling fresh produce, handmade goods, and baked treats.
Mia and Lena had a stall set up for The Bluebell Bakehouse, their pastries always a customer favorite. The air smelled of cinnamon, apples, and fresh herbs, and the hum of conversation filled the crisp autumn air.
Mia was just handing a customer a bag of scones when Lena nudged her side.
“Don’t panic,” she murmured. “But your ex is heading this way.”
Mia stiffened. “Why would I panic?”
Lena snorted. “Right. Because you’re so chill about him being back.”
Mia ignored her and focused on the line of customers. But sure enough, when she glanced up, Ethan was weaving through the crowd—this time with Noah, his best friend from high school.
Great.
Noah was already grinning when they reached the stall. “Mia Carter, still making the best pastries in town, I see.”
She offered a polite smile. “Noah. Haven’t seen you in a while.”
“Yeah, well. Some of us actually leave Ridgewood.”
Ethan gave him a dry look. “Some of us also come back.”
Noah smirked but said nothing.
Ethan’s gaze flickered to the pastries. “What do you recommend?”
Lena leaned forward, beaming. “The apple turnovers. And the cinnamon rolls.”
Mia glanced at her. “You hate cinnamon rolls.”
Lena’s grin didn’t waver. “Yeah, but I love making things interesting.”
Ethan shook his head, amused. “I’ll take one of each, then.”
Mia grabbed a bag, forcing herself to keep her movements casual as she handed it to him.
As he took it, his fingers brushed hers.
A jolt shot up her arm, unexpected and unwelcome.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Ethan’s lips parted slightly, as if he was about to say something—but Noah clapped a hand on his shoulder.
“We should keep moving. Don’t wanna hold up the line.”
Ethan hesitated before nodding. “Right. Thanks, Mia.”
She gave a curt nod and turned to the next customer, ignoring the way her pulse hammered in her throat.
Noah’s voice drifted back as they walked away. “Dude, you’re in so much trouble.”
She didn’t want to think about what that meant.
Didn’t want to feel anything at all.
But the warmth of Ethan’s touch lingered long after he was gone.
That Evening – Lawson House**
Ethan sat at his father’s kitchen table, staring at the untouched cinnamon roll in front of him.
His dad, Henry Lawson, took a sip of his tea before nodding at the pastry. “You gonna eat that or just glare at it?”
Ethan exhaled, leaning back in his chair. “I ran into Mia again today.”
Henry hummed. “I figured you would.”
Ethan glanced at him. “You don’t seem surprised.”
His father smirked. “Small town. Long history. Lotta unfinished business.”
Ethan sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “She’s… different.”
“Course she is.”
“I don’t think she wants anything to do with me.”
His father raised an eyebrow. “And what do you want?”
Ethan didn’t answer right away.
He wanted to say he wasn’t sure.
But that would be a lie.
Because the truth was, he did know.
He just didn’t know if he deserved it.
- Writer
