“Black coffee, Elle,” I say, talking not only to a barista but one of my friends. Elle has been around for a short bit but is enjoying her job as a barista. I’ve been told she doesn’t need to work this job because she’s one of the most intelligent people in the world, but she still chooses to do so. I love her for that.

           “Here you are!” She says happily and hands me the cup of coffee. “It’s on the house today, Harper. I have to make a new pot of coffee. That should still taste amazing, but it’s the bottom. No need for me to charge you for that.”

           “Thanks, beautiful,” I say and spin around to head toward a table. “Loryn is gone for the week, so I’m going out tonight if you want to join. I’ll be at Michaels's bar and grill.”

           “Oh!” She says sadly. “I can’t. I have to meet with my boss, Jericho. He’s having me talk at some convention. Maybe another time.”

           I shrug and fake a smile. “Maybe.”

           I quickly sit at an empty table. My mind can’t seem to wrap around the fact that I don’t work at all this week, and I have no one to hang out with. It’s weird. Loryn is always my ‘go-to’ and now I’m on my own. I don’t even have family around. I do have ‘the book’ to finish reading, but I’d rather not. Every time I read that book my nipples ache and my pussy begs for me to feed it. And I have Noah to thank for that.

           “Harper?” A familiar voice question.

           I look up and see an old friend of mine…more like an ex-boyfriend. His wavy blonde hair and hazel eyes still look the same as when we last saw each other. His tight blue jeans and flannel shirt look the same, too.

           “Chris!” I smile and quickly stand up to hug him. “What are you doing here? I thought you were in California?”

           “I was.” He says excitedly. “I came back for the week. I had to come to bury my grandmother.”

           “Oh, yeah,” I interject. “I heard about that. I’m so sorry. How has that been?”

           He shrugs and slides a chair out. “It’s okay. I never knew her very well. She was a nice lady. But she and I didn’t visit each other too often. I mostly came to see my mom and sister.”

           “I see,” I say and set my cup down. “How’s Molly? Are you two married yet? You seemed inseparable before you two left.”

           He sighs and looks down. “Molly came back here. I’m surprised you haven’t seen her. She loves this coffee shop, and I know you love this coffee shop.”

           I shake my head in confusion. “What? Why is she back here? I could never imagine her breaking up with you.”

           He scoffs a laugh. “She didn’t. I broke up with her after finding her in bed with my agent. And the fucked-up thing is I seen it coming. My agent was constantly flirting with Molly, but Molly wanted no part of it. At least, not until she got a little drunk and decided she needed to try out new meat. I walked in on it, and I can at least say, there was disappointment in her eyes from the sex. She caved in and finally gave it to him, not knowing the dude was only two to three inches hard. And I had the last laugh. I’m not making fun of anyone’s size. But when you fuck my fiancé, you can guarantee I’m going to make fun of you and kick your ass.”

           I squint my eyes tight together. “How badly did you kick his ass?”

           “I laughed, closed the door, and told the two of them to get out of my house. My agent tried explaining himself, but I laughed even harder and told him to get his two-inch dick out of my house. Molly was begging for my forgiveness. I couldn’t. Just the thought that she did cheat on me sent me overboard, and I’ll never be able to trust anyone again. Well, you and I had a good relationship. You were the only girl I could ever trust. But as you know, we just couldn’t…”

           “See eye to eye,” I interject and smile. “I know. I’ve been dealing with some shit these past few months. I was seeing someone…kind of. And I couldn’t seem to shake the entire thing. Now I’ve been on my own and I’ve never been happier than now.”

           “That’s good.” He says while looking me up and down like he’s analyzing me. “How have you been overall? And how has life been treating you? I know I’m being quick, but we should meet up for dinner or something. I am in town for three more days. And right now, I have to meet up with Sarah. But I want us to see each other again before I leave.”

           And just like that, I have someone to hang out with again.

           “Five at Michaels's bar and grill?” I ask, bringing my coffee cup to my lips.

           “Absolutely.” He says, standing up and extending his arms out for a hug. “I’ll be there. Now hug me.”

           I get up, quickly wrapping myself around him. He still wears the same citrusy cologne. It’s good, but I’ve never been a huge fan of it.

           “Sorry to make this short.” He says, squeezing me tighter. “I’d love to catch up and talk for a long time. You were one of the only people to be cool with me and patient. Hell, we broke up and still talked after that. And that last time…”

           “I know,” I say, interrupting him. “I remember the last time we were together. It’s been years, but it’s hard to forget that night.”

           He exhales and releases me. “I’ll see you at five.”

           I watch as he walks out of the coffee shop. I can still remember the last time I saw him. He was with Molly, and they left. They swore to never come back. And here he is.