Is it, though? My statement still stands. We don’t always get a second chance loving someone again.
Life is such a peculiar and funny thing, because sometimes, I look around and see how many chances and opportunities people get—to laugh, to try, to love, to forgive. But it’s rare you hear someone who you thought was gone actually isn’t, and that sounds like the best second chance for me.
“Do you want real advice, or do you want me to tell you what you want to hear?”
The bell chimes over the door. “Welcome to The Blooming Wine. Let me know if I can help you find anything!” I shout, smiling at the patron, and turn back to him.
“You know what? Go ahead. Tell me what you think; don’t hold back. But can I have another coffee?” I take a second to think about what to say, grabbing the empty mug he offers with a proud smile on my face. When people enjoy something I make, that’s my love language.
“Not everyone gets a second chance in life. So if I had one, I would take it, even if only to tell him how upset I am at his actions.”
I stir the milk in and hand him the mug. "I’m assuming if it’s your dad, there’s a lot of hurt about the whole not really dead and being alive but still missing out thing, but maybe this is an opportunity to get to know his side of the story.”
I sit and take a sip of my drink.
“Whatever it was, you don’t have to forgive and forget, but wouldn’t you rather regret doing something than live your whole life wondering what would’ve happened if you gave him a chance?” I smile softly. “Hypothetically speaking, that is.”
His jaw tenses, swallowing hard and keeping his piercing brown eyes on mine. It sucks to hear something you don’t want to hear, but I’ll say it anyway.
“I know I would rather live with the regret of having tried something and it not working out than never giving it a chance. Sometimes, the opportunity sucks, and sometimes, life has a funny way of surprising you.”
He nods.
“I hope that helps.”
“It does.”
He asks no more questions, just sits quietly, drinking his coffee, while I answer emails. Time passes like quicksand—slowly but oh so fast.
I order more books and supplies and start a list for back to school and what specials I should do. Being a business owner in this day and age is rough. I’m always looking for more interesting and creative ways of making things feel new and refreshed while sticking to my budget. If I ever want to scale up, I need to be business-smart.
It’s not until a few hours have gone by that I stand. Oh, I didn’t even notice he was still there, or that he had a computer out and had probably been working.
The shop is quiet again, and I might close early if it continues like this.
“Work?” I point at the laptop he’s sliding in his bag.
“Yup, but I’m done for now.” He grabs two bottles of wine from the best sellers rack.
“I hope I didn’t overstep with our conversation,” I say as I ring him up. “And that you liked the coffee.”
He taps to pay, smiling wider. “I don’t know what you put in those coffees, but they’re like crack.”
A soft giggle escapes my lips. “It’s my secret ingredient.”
“Fair.” I pack his wine and hand him the bag.
Sometimes in life, we meet people, and it’s an ephemeral connection. You say hello; you chat for a second; you can see where a friendship can go, and then poof, it’s gone. You learn to be okay with that, because if we tried to befriend everyone we crossed paths with, then we wouldn’t be able to make meaningful connections with anyone.
Then sometimes, you meet people you wish you could know for longer, but circumstances keep you from pursuing it further. Sarah A. Bailey—one of my favorite authors—calls it the soulmate theory in one of her books, and it really resonated with me. I haven’t felt like that in a long time, but in this moment, it hits me that my soul may be fond of his, and I want this connection to develop.
Maybe I knew him in another life, who knows, but it’s definitely something, even if it’s cryptic chats over coffee in this corner of the world. It’s not like I can go out and search for more either way.
“If you take my advice, will you come back and tell me? I’m invested now.”
He smiles wide, his dimples and perfect teeth on display. “If I can have more of that perfect coffee.”
I stretch my hand over the counter. “Deal.”
