The bell chimes above the door as we enter the cafe, and I am immediately hit by the aroma of rich coffee mixed with the scent of cinnamon. From the entrance, I can see an elderly gentleman placing a cup of coffee on the table by the widow. He beckons us with his hand as he sees us approaching his table. My mouth immediately starts to water. I grab Mattie’s arm, and he halts midstep. He looks back at me quizzically.
“Nothing,” I state. “I just want to know if you’d like a coffee. I am going to grab one for myself, and I see your friend already has one.” I gesture with my hand over to his friend, who is now smiling at us and watching our interactions with amusement, his smile reaching his kind eyes.
“Yeah, thanks. I’ll take an iced coffee, nothing in it.”
I nod. “Right,” I counter, “a black iced coffee to match your soul.” I smile cynically, my full lips pulled wide, displaying my straight white teeth.
“Ha. That’s a real knee-slapper, sis. Har-har.” He smacks his outer thigh for emphasis.
Turning I head to the counter, whipping the ends of my shorter hair across my cheek, not acknowledging his stupid joke. I scan the menu that is displayed across the counter, squintingat the almost illegible scrawled cursive-colored chalk,untilI see the Mexican latte that makes my mouth water.
I order a kolache to go along with my latte and Mateo’s black iced coffee, then move down to hang out by the end of the counter while I wait for my order to be ready. I click on the dating app and notice a message from Jameson. My heart races with anticipation.
Jameson
When can I see you again?
I stare at it, knowing I can’t see him again, but I want to. I left my mask there the last time with the full intention of never returning, but I am going to make a liar out of myself, and that man will be my sole reason.
Eve
I’m still trying to figure it out.
I bite my lower lip, thinking about it. I begin to type and then backtrack and stop. Do I lead him on? What if I can’t see him ever again, and it makes me a liar? Without second-guessing whether I should see him again, I reply.
Eve
Soon, hopefully. Very soon.
I click out of the app and place the phone in my pocket, my emotions somber. I hate this and the way it makes me feel.
My order is ready, and I see the handsome guy in front of me. He is smiling at me. He seems… I pause, trying to find the right word for him.
Sweet.
I smile and grab my items from him with a thank you, pocketing my kolache for later, and tipping my cup at him.I approach the table where Mateo and his elderly friend sit, setting up their chess game. I hand Mateo his coffee.
“Thanks. Evie, I want you to meet Ramón Martin. Ramón, this is Evie, my sister.” He looks between us and smiles.
“Evie, it’s very nice to meet you,” he says with accented English.
“Likewise, Mr. Martin. My brother seems to enjoy your company. I hope he isn’t too much of a chore to entertain. He’s quite serious, you know.” I place my head on Mateo’s shoulder, letting him know that I’m joking.
He pats my hand, resting on the table lovingly. Mateo laughs, pointing at my drink. I look at him as though he’s lost his mind.
“Please,” Mr. Martin replies, “call me Ramón.”
“Okay, Ramón. It’s very nice to meet you.” I look over to Mateo who is fixated on my cup before returning to my conversation.
The elderly gentleman graces me with a smile.
“What’s the matter with you?” Mateo startles me away from my pleasantries. He turns my drink around and I look at the guy’s number written in black marker on the side with his name.
I look over to the guy at the counter and he is staring at me, face flushed with embarrassment. I turn back to look at the name.
“Dylan,” I say aloud. I shrug and take a drink of my coffee. It’s delicious, and the burst of spicy cinnamon chocolate hits my taste buds with a flourish.
I am struck with a sense of nostalgia, reminding me of a time when I was young during the Christmas holidays in Mexico. My abuela would make the best hot chocolate over the stove by melting a thick, dark Mexican bar of chocolate. She’d allow me to stir the tantalizing concoction until it was fully melted, mixing in some milk and a little sugar and a dash of spicy red pepper at the end that always made my mouth water in anticipation.
