Chapter 5:Coffee and Confessions
1021 Words
By Friday afternoon, Ava had convinced herself that she was overthinking everything.
The strange dreams. The mysterious man in the bookstore. The feeling that someone had been watching her.
Surely there was a logical explanation for all of it. At least, that's what she kept telling herself.
She was rearranging the romance section at Moonlit Pages when June walked over carrying a clipboard.
"Ava, could you do me a favor?"
"Depends," Ava replied with a grin. "Does it involve lifting heavy boxes?"
June smiled.
"Actually, yes."
Ava laughed.
"I knew it."
"A shipment of books came in for the coffee shop across the street by mistake. Their owner called and asked if someone could bring them over."
"I can do that."
June handed her a small stack of books tied together with twine. "Perfect. You're saving me from having to carry them."
Ava stepped outside into the warm afternoon sunshine. The sidewalks were busy with families, students, and people enjoying the weather. She crossed the street carefully and pushed open the door to the café. The rich aroma of roasted coffee beans instantly surrounded her. She walked up to the counter.
"Delivery for you."
The barista smiled.
"You must be from Moonlit Pages."
"Guilty."
As the books were untied and checked in, Ava wandered toward the pickup counter.
She never made it.
"Fancy meeting you here."
She turned.
Ethan stood a few feet away holding two cups of coffee.
He wore dark jeans and a navy Henley with the sleeves rolled to his forearms. Sunlight filtered through the café windows, catching in his dark hair and highlighting the faint stubble along his jaw.
For just a second, Ava forgot what she was going to say.
"You drink coffee?" she finally asked.
"I was told it's necessary for unpacking."
She laughed.
"I've heard that too."
Ethan looked down at the second cup in his hand before meeting her eyes again.
"I accidentally ordered two."
Ava raised an eyebrow.
"Accidentally?"
"So I'm told."
A smile tugged at her lips.
"That's a very suspicious accident."
"It would be a shame for it to go to waste."
She hesitated for only a moment before accepting the cup.
"Thanks."
They found a small table by the window overlooking the street.
For the first few minutes, conversation came easily.
Favorite books.
Favorite movies.
Why Ava believed bookstores were magical. Why Ethan preferred hiking to sitting still. When she admitted she could spend an entire rainy Saturday reading under a blanket, Ethan surprised her. "That actually sounds perfect."
"You don't strike me as someone who sits around reading."
"I don't."
"So what changed?"
He looked at her over the rim of his cup.
"I met someone who makes it sound appealing."
Ava's cheeks warmed.
She took an unnecessarily large sip of coffee to hide the smile threatening to appear.
"So," Ethan asked gently, "what made you work in a bookstore?"
"I've loved stories my whole life."
"And writing?"
"I dabble."
"Dabble?"
"I write terrible first chapters and then convince myself I'll finish them later."
"I don't believe they're terrible."
"You've never read them."
"I don't think I'd have to."
For some reason, hearing him say that made her heart flutter. The conversation drifted naturally after that.
She learned Ethan preferred quiet evenings over parties, loved the outdoors, and could cook exactly three meals without looking at a recipe. He learned Ava hated folding laundry, adored bookstores and libraries, and secretly talked to herself while organizing shelves.
"You talk to books?" he asked with amusement.
"Only when they deserve it."
"And how does a book deserve it?"
"When someone puts it back in the wrong section."
"Seems reasonable."
She laughed so hard she nearly spilled her drink. The warmth between them felt effortless. Comfortable. Like they'd known each other much longer than a few days. As they stood to leave, Ava reached for the café door at the exact same time Ethan did.
Their hands brushed. The effect was immediate.
A pulse of warmth traveled up Ava's arm, sending a strange shiver through her. She looked up. Ethan was staring at her. His expression had changed. There was something softer in his eyes now, mixed with confusion and restraint.
For the briefest moment, neither of them moved.
Then Ethan quietly stepped aside.
"Ladies first."
"Thank you."
She walked through the doorway, but her pulse refused to settle. Outside, they stood awkwardly on the sidewalk.
"I should get back to work," Ava said.
"And I should finish unpacking."
Neither of them left.
Finally, Ethan smiled.
"Dinner?"
The question caught Ava completely off guard.
She blinked.
"Are you asking me out?"
"I believe I am."
"You seem uncertain."
"I haven't done this in a while."
She couldn't help smiling.
"Neither have I."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"So... is that a yes?"
Ava pretended to think for a moment before answering.
"I'd like that."
"When are you free?"
"Tomorrow evening?"
He nodded.
"Tomorrow evening."
Before they could say anything else, June stepped out of the bookstore and waved.
"Ava! I need my favorite employee back!"
Ava pointed across the street.
"That's my cue."
Ethan chuckled.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"You will."
She hurried back toward the bookstore, trying not to look back.
She failed.
Halfway across the crosswalk, she glanced over her shoulder.
Ethan was still standing there.
Watching her with the faintest smile.
When she reached the sidewalk, she found June grinning.
"So..."
Ava sighed dramatically.
"Please don't."
June folded her arms.
"I was only going to ask if you enjoyed your coffee."
"You absolutely were not."
"No."
"I knew it."
As Ava walked back inside, she caught herself smiling. For the first time in years, the future felt unexpectedly exciting. She didn't notice the black SUV parked farther down the street. Inside, a man lowered a pair of binoculars.
He scribbled something into a notebook before speaking quietly into a phone.
"I've confirmed visual contact."
A pause.
Then he continued.
"She's getting close to the Alpha."
Another pause.
"No."
His eyes followed Ava as she disappeared into Moonlit Pages.
"She still has no idea what she is."
- Writer
