Chapter Two: Espresso Apologies
344 Words
Sophie tried to salvage her dignity by offering Liam a free latte. It didn’t help that her hands shook so badly she frothed the milk straight out of the pitcher and into her lap.
“First breakups, now burns,” she grumbled, reaching for a towel.
“Maybe we should sit before you accidentally torch the building,” Liam said with a crooked smile.
They took a small table near the window, where the morning light painted golden lines across the worn wood floors.
“So,” Sophie began awkwardly, “you’re an architect?”
Liam nodded. “Yep. And you’re a barista with a texting problem.”
“Owner, actually. Though I’ve definitely earned the ‘problem’ part this morning.”
He laughed, surprising her with how genuine it sounded. “I wasn’t planning to stop in today. But fate—or autocorrect—has a sense of humor.”
Maya brought over two scones and whispered to Sophie, “He’s hot. Keep him.”
“Stop it,” Sophie hissed.
Liam tilted his head. “You two are fun. Is this what mornings are usually like around here?”
“Chaos, caffeine, and mild emotional trauma? Yep.”
As they talked, Sophie learned Liam had recently moved to Portland after a long relationship ended, and he’d been laying low, working on a sustainable housing project. Sophie found herself opening up, too, rambling about Declan’s refusal to move on and her dreams of expanding the coffee shop to include live music and book readings.
By the end of the conversation, Sophie wasn’t just less embarrassed—she was actually enjoying herself.
“You know,” Liam said, “if you ever need help designing that expansion, I know a guy.”
Sophie smiled. “Does he charge in cappuccinos?”
“For you? Maybe just a muffin or two.”
They exchanged numbers. This time, intentionally.
Outside, Maya watched from behind the counter, smiling to herself as she scribbled “Liam C. = Latte Destiny” on the specials board.
To be continued...
- Writer
