Sophia
Noah's text sat on my phone all morning, the words *there's something important I need to tell you* looping through my mind between customers, stirring up a strange mix of anticipation and quiet nerves I couldn't quite settle no matter how busy the shop kept me.
I hadn't had a chance to respond properly yet, our conversation getting cut short by the morning rush, and I told myself whatever he needed to say could wait until we actually had the quiet space to talk about it properly, the way he'd asked for.
Ethan showed up a little after the lunch rush died down, his usual easy smile in place as he settled onto his regular stool at the counter.
"Hey, stranger," I said, sliding him a coffee without needing to ask. "Long time no see. Well, longer than usual, anyway."
"Been busy," he
