Something Brewing
701 Words
Renz Cortez was not a man of habit. He didn't revisit places without purpose. He didn't repeat routines that didn't serve him and he definitely didn't schedule something as trivial as coffee into his already structured life.
And yet there he was again. Same time. Same place. Same woman behind the counter.
Courtney Valdez didn't even pretend to be surprised this time. She simply looked up, met his eyes, and smirked like she'd been expecting him all along.
"You're consistent," she said.
"I'm efficient."
"That's not the same thing."
"It is to me."
Courtney shook her head as she reached for a cup. "Let me guess. Black coffee?"
Renz paused for a fraction of a second. Then—"No."
That got her attention. "No?" she repeated, eyebrows lifting. "Wow. Growth."
"Surprise me."
Courtney blinked. "You're trusting me now?"
"I'm testing you."
She laughed softly. "That sounds worse." Still, she turned, carefully preparing something different this time. Her movements were slower, more deliberate—like she actually cared about getting it right. Which, annoyingly, she did.
A few moments later, she placed the cup in front of him. "Caramel latte," she said. "Softer. Less… aggressive than your personality."
Renz glanced at it. "I'm not aggressive."
"You ordered black coffee two days in a row. That's emotional damage in liquid form."
A pause then, unexpectedly— "I'll take that into consideration."
Courtney smiled, just a little.
He took a sip and this time, he didn't frown.
Courtney leaned forward slightly. "Well?"
"It's… acceptable."
Her jaw dropped. "Acceptable? That's the best compliment you've got?"
"It means I don't dislike it."
"That's a very low bar, Renz."
"I don't set high expectations for things I can live without."
The words slipped out so casually, but something about them lingered.
Courtney straightened. "Coffee?" she asked lightly.
Another pause then he met her gaze. "No."
And just like that, the air shifted. Before she could respond, the café door opened again—this time slower, more deliberate.
A woman stepped inside. Elegant. Polished. Confident. The kind of woman who didn't need to try. Her heels clicked softly against the floor as she walked in, her eyes scanning the café before landing directly on Renz. And softening.
"Renz."
Courtney felt it immediately. The familiarity. The history. The way his name sounded different when she said it.
Renz's expression didn't change much—but there was something there. Something subtle. Something… complicated.
"Bianca," he said.
Courtney's fingers tightened slightly around the counter. So this was Bianca. She didn't know why that name felt heavy—but it did.
Bianca stepped closer, her gaze briefly flicking toward Courtney before returning to Renz.
"I didn't expect to find you here," she said, her voice smooth.
"I have business nearby."
Bianca smiled faintly. "Since when does your 'business' involve cafés like this?"
Courtney raised an eyebrow at that but stayed quiet.
Renz didn't answer immediately and somehow, that silence said more than words.
Bianca glanced at the cup in his hand. "You're drinking that?"
"Yes."
Another small pause. Then she laughed softly. "You've changed."
Courtney didn't miss the way Renz's grip on the cup tightened—just slightly.
"I don't think so."
Bianca tilted her head. "I think you have. You just don't realize it yet." Her eyes shifted again—this time fully landing on Courtney. Assessing. Measuring.
And for the first time since opening her café, Courtney felt… out of place in her own space.
Bianca smiled politely. "You must be the reason."
Courtney blinked. "Excuse me?"
But Bianca had already turned back to Renz.
"Call me," she said softly. "We need to talk." Not a question but a statement then she left just like that.
Silence filled the café again—but it wasn't the same kind of silence. This one was heavier and messier.
Courtney exhaled slowly. "So… 'acceptable,' huh?"
Renz looked at her, really looked this time and for the first time, there was no distance in his voice when he spoke. "It's better than I expected."
Courtney held his gaze. "Careful," she said quietly. "You might start liking things you said you didn't need."
A pause then, almost under his breath— "Maybe I already am."
- Writer
