2. Chapter 2
Yareli arrived at the cafe ten minutes early, but to her dismay, August was already seated with a coffee in his hand. He noticed her hovering at the entrance and waved.
She rolled her eyes. “At this point, you are one hundred percent doing this on purpose.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I really don’t know what you mean.”
She took her seat, slinging her backpack on the chair. “Whenever we agree to meet up, you’re always the first to arrive.”
“Hmm.” August thumbed his chin. “I’m not sure that means I’m guilty of something.”
“Then explain why you’re here ten minutes early!”
“My bus happened to arrive earlier than scheduled,” he said, but his brown eyes shone with amusement.
Although she feigned annoyance, she couldn’t help but smile.
“Fine. Pretend all you want, but know that I’m onto you.” She went to the counter to place her order.
August laughed, and the sound was like a shot of caffeine perking her right up.
She loved making him laugh almost as much as she loved his ponytail.
She peeked at him while waiting in line.
How had they ended up as friends? August Trey was everything she wasn’t—calm, collected, confident.
Yareli, a constantly frazzled, broke, almost-twenty-two-year-old, was barely keeping it together.
She was, in a single word, a mess. She silenced those thoughts; it wouldn’t do her any good to hold another pity party for herself.
Besides, she didn’t want to think about her money problems. She only met with August once a week, and despairing over her financial crisis was not her desired conversation topic.
She took out her credit card to pay, her eyes darting to the pastries on display in momentary weakness, but she couldn’t afford one.
The cashier didn’t take her credit card, asking, “Yareli, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Your friend paid for your drink.”
A rush of surprise and warmth enveloped Yareli. From anyone else, she would have bristled and hissed, but from August… It was a sign of care—a silent show of support. She returned to her seat, drink in hand, and thanked him.
He smiled. “My treat. I did make you come all the way out here after all.”
She liked that about him—his considerate nature.
August’s navy blue hoodie, free of wrinkles and lint, was loose on him, but he still managed to look put together.
His white undershirt highlighted his brown skin, and his simple silver watch shone in the cafe’s light.
Her eyes wandered to his pink lips, and she imagined their touch against her own.
It was a fantasy that had become increasingly louder in the past months.
She cleared her throat, ridding herself of the daydream, and sipped her tea.
At six feet, with luscious hair, August was model material.
Wherever they went, heads turned, and occasionally, brave souls would ask for his Instagram.
He always politely declined. When Yareli had asked him why he never gave out his handle, he shrugged and stated he wasn’t interested.
Besides, he had said, he didn’t have an Instagram.
A weird, but endearing choice given social media’s strong presence in their generation.
And despite her best efforts over the past two years, she couldn’t help the flutters she experienced when she looked at him.
She had a big crush, and sometimes it felt like she wore it on her forehead like a billboard.
August, however, had never indicated he had noticed, which was both relieving and disappointing.
“Hey.” August poked her cheek, taking her by surprise. “How was your first day?”
She rubbed the spot where he had poked her, feigning annoyance to hide her blush, and bit her lip, hesitating.
How did she explain the cafe’s oddness? She hadn’t told him about the blood signature that had been required for the employment contract.
To him, it was a perfectly normal, if a bit niche, cafe.
Granted, nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Yet.
The words came slowly. “It was—”
“Whimsical?” he supplied.
She laughed, balling up a napkin and throwing it at him.
“Yes, whimsical. It was fast-paced, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Although I’ll have to get used to being in character while working.”
Yareli Ines Martinez was a lot of things, but she wasn’t naturally upbeat, as was expected of employees. She was more like an ambling tortoise, making her way through life slow but steady, or so she hoped.
August put his coffee down, his gaze meeting hers. “I’m certain you can do anything you set your mind on.”
She rolled her eyes, hiding her smile behind her cup, and thanked him again. Given her current employment record, she had to try her best to impress Donna. She clutched her tea, holding onto what seemed like a lifeline in turbulent waters.
“I really hope I pass their provisional period,” she said, deciding to share her worry with him. “This was the only place that called me for an interview.”
August gently pried her fingers off her cup. He held her hands in his; his lips pressed together in a straight line. “It’s not your fault. The economy is awful.”
“It doesn’t make it hurt less,” she confessed, lowering her gaze and biting her lip to hide her grin at their entwined hands. She cleared her throat. “I’m just relieved that I found something. Thanks for sending the flyer to me. How did you find it, anyway? I couldn’t find the posting online.”
He blinked, scratching the back of his head. “I’m a regular, so I happened to be there when they passed the flyer out.”
“You’re a regular?!”
“A remarkable turn of events, isn’t it?”
Yareli inhaled, scrunching her nose. “Not funny. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about it! It’s amazing. You know about the second floor?”
“It’s my favorite, actually.”
She glared at him until he coughed and dropped his gaze. “I planned on taking you there in the future.”
“Have you taken anyone else?”
His eyebrows shot up.
“Well?” she pressed.
“N-no.”
Smiling, she took a sip of her tea. If he hadn’t taken anyone else to the extraordinary cafe, then no one else had caught his eye enough for him to do so.
“I guess I’ll be seeing you more often,” she said.
He matched her expression, his dimples making an appearance.
“Yeah, you will.”
Her stomach fluttered at the promise; she leaned forward, elation fueling her forwardness. “Did you get your paper done in time for Professor Hendricks?”
“I did. Although it took longer than I expected.”
“Do you have any more upcoming papers?”
He licked his lips, a grimace forming. “Unfortunately. Signing up for three seminars was not my best choice.”
Yareli sat back, shoulders slumping. It meant his absences would continue. She forced a laugh, chiding him, “Remember when I told you so?”
His face went slack. “Nope.”
“I totally did.”
“Oh, look at the time! It’s time to head to class.”
Yareli gripped his wrist, unwilling to let him run away. “Admit it.”
He threw his head back, laughing. “You’re relentless.”
“Only when I know I’m right.”
His laughter increased. “Yes, you did tell me so.”
Satisfied, she turned serious. “Thank you again. I wouldn’t be able to sit here without worry if it weren’t for your help.”
“I didn’t do much. I simply looked out for someone I care about.” He patted her head. “I do actually have to go to class. See you next time?”
A blush raged on her cheeks, and Yareli nodded, avoiding his gaze. She waved goodbye and sat until her pulse slowed. Someone I care about. Not “friend.”
She left the cafe before she squealed.
Someone I care about. She could listen to it all day.
Then, her phone buzzed, and her bubble popped.
It was her mom. I really need to go to therapy, she thought as she sent a quick response.
Except therapy costs money—the exact thing she wasn’t drowning in.
A sigh escaped her. One day, she’d be free of her torment.
Maybe. She was haunted after all, and she didn’t know of a cure.