Chapter 5
Lucy
Isit in Mama Betty’s living room, nodding along to her story, desperately trying not to let my eyes stray to my phone.
I waited a full, respectable twenty-four hours before sending Aria a text.
Lucy: hey i had a great time last night and really would love to hang out more, we could hang at karma if u wanted? or anywhere just let me know :) :)
She still hasn’t texted back.
“—ija? Luciana!”
Mama Betty’s sharp tone cuts through my daydreaming. I refocus on her face, grinning sheepishly at the raised eyebrow awaiting me.
“What has you so distracted, mija?”
“Nothing important, mama,” I lie. “Just something Cierra told me. Come on, I want to hear the rest of your story.”
She eyes me suspiciously for another moment, but a mild coughing fit seems to interrupt her train of thought and she launches back into the tale of the backstabbing puta from her knitting circle.
This time I push away thoughts of Aria and lean in to the story, allowing the laughter to chase away some of my worries.
***
A buzz startles me from my mid-afternoon slump behind the counter. Since it’s a quiet moment, I grab it and click on the screen.
Aria — 1 new message
My heart skips a beat and I straighten up instinctively, glancing around to make sure there are no new customers. Once I know the coast is clear, I take a deep breath and open up the text.
Aria: Sure. I can come over this afternoon if you’re free? I would love to get out of the house.
I can’t help the smile that steals over my face as I type out my reply.
Lucy: of course im working all afternoon feel free to come hang out anytime!!
Her reply is immediate.
Aria: Great, otherwise this was going to be very awkward.
My brows crease as I read the text and I tilt my head, hoping that I can figure out what the hell she means. My thoughts are interrupted by the chime above the door. I glance up, a polite smile already forming on my face.
It widens into something far more genuine as Aria walks in the door.
“Aria!” I call out, probably a bit too excitedly, as she scans the room.
At my greeting, her head snaps in my direction and I watch as her shoulders ease a fraction.
“Hey, Lucy,” she says casually, approaching the counter. “How are you?”
“Doing okay!” This stupidly excited smile isn’t going anywhere. “How about you? Do you want a drink?”
“Sure.” She returns my smile with a slow, genuine one of her own. “Can I get a mocha, hot, with oatmilk?”
“Can do!” I ring up the drink in our system, but when I turn around Jeremy has already started working on the drink. He shoots me a pointed glance and I turn back to Aria.
She is just finishing up paying for the drink. As she meets my gaze, her cheeks redden and I feel my smile widen even more at the sight.
“I’m still on shift, but if you want to hang out—” I gesture to the booth directly next to the counter. “—you can sit here. That way we can chat while I work.”
“Sounds like a plan.” She shifts a bit. “But seriously, how are you doing?”
My smile dims a little. “I’ve been better,” I say honestly. “Still working through everything in my head. You?”
“Same,” she exhales, a touch of relief coloring her features. “It’s been a lot to sort through.”
I nod and open my mouth to respond, but—
“Order up!” Jeremy interrupts.
Aria takes it with a murmured thanks and moves out of the line towards the booth I indicated. She stops to turn and throw me a friendly and grateful look.
I try to ignore the way my heart beats faster as another customer enters.
***
Lucy: whatcha wanna try today??
Aria confessed to me that she isn’t a fan of most coffee, but she likes the little caffeine boost. So, I have been having her try different drinks every time she comes in to find her favorite. We have tried three and I feel like I am narrowing down her palate.
Aria: Surprise me! I am down for anything.
Lucy: come onnnn, just one text without a period :)
Aria: No. :)
Lucy: pleeeeeeease for me???
Aria: Absolutely not. :)
Lucy: i will pout
Aria: See you soon!
I giggle to myself then go to pull out the ingredients for a Lavender Haze.
Maybe this will be the one.
***
Aria: Incoming.
I note the message and start wrapping up my paperwork. I love the fact that she no longer asks if she can come visit Karma. She just shows up.
When I walk out of my office, she is already there ordering a Lavender Haze (her new favorite drink). I meet her gaze and wave. She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. I cock my head at her, but keep making my way to what has become “her booth.”
Once she has her drink, she sits across from me, puts the cup down, and drops her head to the table.
“Whoa, are you okay?” I ask, slightly alarmed.
“Yeah, just a minute.” Her voice is slightly muffled, but she sets a thumbs-up next to her mug before flattening it on the table.
I reach over and take it without thinking. We both freeze for a handful of heartbeats before she sighs, relaxing, and flipping her hand over so that it is palm up under mine.
My breath catches. I feel my pulse start to race as I slowly curl my fingers around hers, stroking my thumb along the side of her hand.
After a few minutes, she picks her head back up, but makes no move to retrieve her hand from mine.
Her gaze stays fixed on where my thumb keeps stroking back and forth for another moment or two before her eyes lift to meet mine.
A blush stains her cheekbones and my lips curve into a soft smile without conscious thought.
“What’s going on?” I ask quietly, not wanting to break the intimate moment.
“I had to call out sick,” she starts, tone weary.
“However, Jacob also insisted that I come pick up my things today.” She rolls her eyes.
“He was in the office, so at least I didn’t have to see him.
One of his friends was there to ‘supervise’ while I packed up my stuff.
I got it all over to—” She pauses and takes a sip of her drink.
“—to my place. It’s just been a long day. ”
Her smile is thin and worn. Her lips are pressed stiffly together as if the tension is the only thing holding her together. My fingers squeeze around hers and I watch as her shoulders drop slightly.
“I’m sorry, Aria. That can’t have been easy.”
“No, but I will be okay.” She squeezes my hand once before retreating and cupping her mug with both hands. “What have you been up to today?”
I launch into telling her about my day and watch as she slowly but surely loses the last of her tension. Her gorgeous gray eyes linger on mine, soft and warm, as she appears to soak in the comfort of the tea and the company.
After she leaves for the evening, I feel my phone buzz and smile before I even take it out of my pocket.
Aria: Thank you. <3
***
Another week passes, but the afternoon light shines through the windows of Karma, finding Aria and I in the same booth. Thankfully, no crises involved this time.
“Okay, I’ve got one!” I say, leaning forward. “But it might be a bit too personal. Are you ready to get into the deep stuff?”
“Oh, I was born ready,” Aria replies, mirroring my movement.
“Get ready.” I pause for dramatic effect. “What’s your favorite color?”
“Ooh, are we at that stage already?” she teases, gray eyes sparking in amusement. “I like teal. It’s soothing, but still fun and bright. I like that combination.” Her cheeks flush just a little as she lightly strokes the cushion of the booth upholstered in that very color. “What about you?”
I think for a moment. There are a lot of colors I like, but…
“Red,” I say decisively. “It’s a powerful color.
I love that it is associated with force and passion—” I take note of the way her blush deepens ever so slightly.
“—but it is so versatile. Like, the faded red bricks on old buildings that show just how much history they’ve witnessed.
Or a blush on someone’s face,” I tease lightly, my eyes lingering on her cheeks as she rolls her eyes.
“Or the fact that, if you lighten it just a little bit, it becomes pink, which is generally associated with innocence. I just love all the layers it can have.”
“I love that,” Aria says quietly, giving me a soft smile. We sit in comfortable silence for a few moments before she speaks up again. “Okay, how about this one: if you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?”
“Oh!” I straighten up at the question, excitement bubbling. “You go first so I can pull up some pictures!”
She chuckles, but acquiesces. “I would want to go to Keukenhof in Lisse, Netherlands. I would love to see all of those tulips blooming. The pictures I’ve seen are so utterly gorgeous.” The hum she lets out makes my smile grow even more.
“That sounds so pretty,” I agree, nodding along. “For me—actually, scoot over a little.” She does, making room for me to move around and slide in beside her. Her inhale at my proximity is quiet, but I hear it. A thrill shoots through me, but I stifle it quickly.
I’ve got time.
“This is Nice, France,” I say, scrolling through the pictures I pulled up. “I just love the mix of beach town and this gorgeous architecture in Old Town. I know most people think of Paris when they want to book a once-in-a-lifetime trip to France, but…” I trail off.
“But this is more you,” she finishes for me, certainty in her tone. I look up at her and find her gaze fixed firmly on me, not the phone. For a single heartbeat, I swear she leans in. Or maybe I do. Her face is so close and—
The door opens, the chime above it irreparably shattering the moment. She pulls back, eyes darting away, and I watch as she forces her body language back into something calm and friendly.
Soon, I vow. I will kiss her again. And this time I won’t let either of us run away.