“Mía, honey, if you can’t eat a burger and fries in front of the person who might be your forever, they’re not worth it. Food is meant to be enjoyed, just like curves,” Eli says with a wink.
He walks toward me with a smile that knocks the air out of my lungs. With a gentle kiss to my cheek, he hands me a small box tied with a bow.
“Congratulations, beautiful,” he says.
I blink. “Congratulations for what?”
Eli tilts his head and gives me that look, the one that says,Seriously?
“Today marks four years since you started this place,” he says, his voice full of pride.
When I woke up this morning, I didn’t expect anyone to remember. Sure, Laura texted me, but she’s the one who helped me through the beginning of it all. But him? I never expected that.
“When you’re done staring into space, open the box, will you?” Elijah says, voice light, but his eyes holding something deeper.
“You remembered?” I ask, glancing between the box, him, and Mia, who’s standing there with an expression that screamsaww, that’s so sweet.
"Of course I remembered, how could I forget the day I almost opened a locked door without a key?"
He winks at me and my heart stops beating for a moment
My emotions hit harder than I expect, stealing the breath from my lungs. Needing space to ground myself, I step behind the counter and lift the lid of the box.
The tears are instant.
Inside is a small cake, maybe four inches across, shaped like the number4. It's delicately decorated with dahlias and tinyblack sugar pearls. A white chocolate plaque rests on top, etched with:Happy 4 Years of Books & Beans.
“Eli, this is... beautiful. Thank you so much,” I say, my voice cracking as I reach across the counter to hug him.
The second his arms are around me, I’m surrounded by his warmth, like a cozy blanket on the coldest winter day. His scent is familiar and intoxicating, a mix of cedar and something darker that makes my pulse stutter. Without meaning to, I lean in and inhale. And the moment I do, I know I’ve messed up.
We’ve hugged before. We've shared space, laughter, and quiet moments. But there was always something there, an invisible line, a wall I needed between us. And now... now something’s shifted, and I’m not ready to admit what it means.
“Anything for you, babe. I hope those tears are the happy kind,” he says, his voice rough around the edges, like gravel laced with emotion.
“They are. Of course they are,” I whisper, barely managing the words.
He clears his throat, a subtle signal as I slowly pull away.
Nodding at the cake, he adds, “Red velvet. Your favorite. I hope you enjoy it. I’ve got a client coming in soon.”
“Of course,” I say, blinking away the tears. “I don’t want to keep you. I’ll save you a slice.”
He gives me a small smile, opens the door, and with a little wave, he’s gone.
The moment the door closes behind him, it feels like something's been pulled out of me. Something I didn’t even realize I was holding on to. Deep inside the heart I’ve locked behind a thousand walls, I know exactly what’s missing:him. But I’m not ready to unpack the feelings that truth stirs.
Mia steps closer, her hand landing gently on my shoulder.
Her voice is soft, careful, as if she's trying not to break me.
"Someday you’re going to have to do something about these feelings, Ava. You can’t keep this up forever. All you’re doing is hurting yourself in silence when it’s painfully obvious he feels the same.”
She’s right. I know it. But still, I shake my head.
“I can’t lose him, Mia. His friendship means too much. If we cross that line, there’s no going back. And if it falls apart… if the sex ruins this between us, then it’s over. We won’t beusanymore. So I’ll keep things the way they are. Just friends. I’ll bury my feelings under piles of books, pretend I don’t notice how my heart races when he walks in, and dread the day he shows up holding someone else’s hand.”
Mia’s eyes search mine, gentle but unrelenting.
