Saturday morning meant double shifts and questionable choices, like eating cheesecake for breakfast and thinking "just one espresso shot" wouldn't lead to a caffeine-induced existential spiral.
Ellie tied her apron and glanced at the mirror behind the café counter. Hair: chaotic. Eyes: sleep-deprived. Smile: trying.
The café was buzzing. Couples laughed over pancakes, college kids studied like their lives depended on it, and the espresso machine hissed like a very dramatic dragon.
And then the door chimed.
He walked in.
Not Oat Milk Guy.
Not a regular.
Someone… new.
Tall. Hoodie. Messy dark hair. Tired eyes. He looked like he hadn't slept in days and somehow, he wore that like it was part of the aesthetic.
He walked up to the counter.
"Hi," he said, voice low and dry. "Can I get just… the most basic coffee you have?"
Ellie froze. No. Way.
She blinked. "Like, emotionally basic? Or just, like, black?"
He chuckled. "Let's go with emotionally basic."
She smiled and nodded, punching it in. "Rough morning?"
"Rough life," he said, then shrugged. "Writer."
"Oh," she said, her voice rising before she could stop it. "You're a writer?"
"Trying to be," he said. "Failing, mostly."
Ellie stared. Writer. Tired eyes. Sarcastic. Black coffee.
It had to be him.
Max.
Her fingers trembled as she handed over the cup.
She hesitated then grabbed a pen.
Hope the coffee helps — Ellie
She slid it across like she was defusing a bomb.
He smiled, mumbled "Thanks," and wandered to the back corner, setting up his laptop. Just like Max said he would.
Her phone buzzed in her apron.
Max:
Some guy just stole my seat at this café. Justice is dead.
Ellie:
Wait… what café?
Max:
This place in Midtown. "Beans & Prose." Never been here before. Smells like expensive paper and regret.
Ellie's stomach dropped.
She looked up at Hoodie Guy sipping coffee.
Back at her phone.
Max wasn't here.
Her face went hot.
She'd misread everything. Jumped to conclusions. Written on a stranger's coffee cup like some desperate romcom cliché.
She laughed under her breath, equal parts relieved and humiliated.
Ellie:
Remind me never to become a detective.
Max:
Noted. Stick to coffee. You're probably less dangerous that way.