The Return of Trouble
618 Words
Courtney didn't expect him to come back. People like Renz Cortez didn't return to small, imperfect places like hers. They moved fast, lived faster, and forgot even faster.
Her café? It wasn't designed for people like him—it was for those who lingered, who needed comfort, who believed in slowing down.
Renz didn't seem like the type to believe in anything soft.
So when the bell chimed again the next morning and that same controlled presence filled the room, Courtney almost dropped the cup she was holding.
"You've got to be kidding me," she muttered under her breath.
Marco, who was leaning against the counter scrolling through his phone, followed her gaze. "Who? The guy who looks like he sues people for fun?"
Courtney elbowed him lightly. "Don't be rude."
"I'm being observant."
Renz walked toward the counter again, just as composed as yesterday. Same suit. Same expression. Same unreadable eyes.
Courtney straightened. "Back so soon?" she said, raising an eyebrow.
"I need coffee."
"That sounds like a problem, not a preference."
A faint pause. Then—"Black coffee."
She laughed softly. "You didn't learn anything yesterday, did you?"
"I did," he replied. "I learned you exaggerate flavor."
Marco choked on his drink. "Oh, I like him already."
Courtney shot Marco a look before turning back to Renz. "One black coffee for the man who hates coffee."
"I don't hate it."
"You don't like it either."
"That's irrelevant."
Courtney shook her head as she prepared his order. "You're exhausting."
"And yet, you're still serving me."
"Because I run a business," she shot back.
When she handed him the cup, their fingers brushed—just slightly, just for a second. But it was enough. Courtney pulled her hand back quickly, ignoring the strange flicker in her chest.
Renz didn't react, but his gaze lingered a moment longer than necessary.
"You're staring," she said.
"I'm observing."
"That's just a fancy word for staring."
Before he could respond, the café door burst open.
"Court!" Lia rushed in, her energy instantly filling the room. She waved dramatically, her eyes lighting up when she reached the counter. "You would not believe what happened—" She stopped mid-sentence, noticing Renz. Her expression shifted into curiosity. "And who is this?" she whispered loudly.
"A customer," Courtney replied quickly.
"A very serious-looking customer," Lia added, grinning.
Renz inclined his head slightly. "Renz."
"Lia," she said, offering a bright smile. "Courtney's sister. I approve of this one already."
Courtney groaned. "You don't even know him."
"I don't need to. He looks interesting."
"I'm not," Renz said flatly.
Lia laughed. "That's exactly what interesting people say."
Courtney pushed a napkin toward her sister. "Go sit down before you scare him away."
"I don't scare easily," Renz said.
Courtney smirked. "We'll see about that."
There was a brief silence—not awkward, but charged. Like something unspoken had slipped into the space between them.
Then Renz checked his watch. "I'll be back tomorrow," he said.
Courtney blinked. "You're… scheduling your coffee now?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
He looked at her, his expression as unreadable as ever—but his words were deliberate. "Because I want to see if it gets better."
Courtney crossed her arms. "The coffee?"
Another pause. Then, quietly— "We'll see." And just like that, he left again.
Lia leaned over the counter immediately. "Okay, what was that?"
"Nothing," Courtney said, turning away.
"That was not nothing. That was tension. That was chemistry. That was—"
"That was a man who doesn't like coffee."
Lia smirked. "And yet he keeps coming back."
Courtney didn't answer because for the first time, she was starting to wonder, maybe it wasn't the coffee he was coming back for.
- Writer
