Good morning 🙂

Hope you slept okay

I really had fun last night. I was hoping we could do it again?

Those were the texts I woke up to. For a moment I was disoriented and I asked myself how Cory was texting me about a date the night before when we had not seen each other for months.

Then I realized that it was Fabian, my second chance mate, who wanted to reject me but then changed his mind because he realized that mates came once in a lifetime. I know that sounds strange, but my life so far has been extremely strange.

I got out of the bed and took a shower, planning to go downstairs and open up. It was pretty late for me so I hoped Ingrid had had a much earlier start and had opened up.

Fortunately, Ingrid had opened the shop up and had set the tables up also. I smiled when I saw that and also felt a little bad. I was supposed to have been here earlier so as to help her.

"Sleeping Muffin has finally awakened," Ingrid said making me laugh. The cafe was empty luckily enough so I could make as much noise as I wanted to.

"Oh shut up. The one night I sleep in, you tease me," I replied, rolling my eyes playfully.

"Cause you slept but not because of the d-"

"Ingrid, shut up," I said, looking at her with a threatening look in my eyes. I'm of course not serious. And even if I was, Ingrid would totally beat me in a fight. She works out and I don't. She has the muscles and I have the jiggles.

"You needed rest anyways," she said with a bright smile making me remember the hall she had already set up.

"Ingrid, thank you for setting up the hall. I'm so so sorry. I promise I won't ever-"

"Don't promise stuff you won't be able to keep. I know you'll be getting the dick soon," she smirked, "so you'll be waking up a lot later than now."

I rolled my eyes and tugged at her hair. I absolutely hated when people touched my hair and I knew she did too so that was my revenge.

"Hey!" She yelled, soothing her hair protectively. I stuck my tongue out then ran to the other side of the store so she could pay me back.

"Soo, did he text?"

"He did," I admitted.

"I knew it! I told you!" Ingrid gloated and I rolled my eyes again. With Ingrid, it was like I was rolling my eyes every second.

"Did you reply yet?" She asked and I widened my eyes in panic.

"Oh my God, I didn't!" I said then took out my phone hurriedly. The text was still there, unread. Hopefully he didn't think I was ignoring him.

Good morning ☺️

My night was awesome. And yours?

I let out a sigh of relief as soon as I clicked send then put my phone away. I looked up at caught Ingrid looking at me with a sly smile on her face. I shook my head, laughing then proceeded to set up the cash register.

I heard the telltale sound of the bell on the door ringing, signalling that a someone had just gotten in. When I looked up, my cheeks got so hot. It was Fabian.

Ingrid let out a whistle and my cheeks got even hotter. It was different seeing him after last night. It was like he was a different person.

He waved at Ingrid who waved back then came straight to me.

"Hey," he said with a smile.

"Hi," I replied with a timid smile. I was noticing things about him.

I think that was how it happened. When you go on a great date with someone, you notice how put together they are, and when you break up with someone, you notice how broken they really were. It was really strange.

"Can we talk for a second?" He asked and this time I was not scared.

"The cash- I mean I have to fin- the cash register," was all I managed to say.

He let out a chuckle and suddenly Ingrid was next to me.

"Go talk to him. I'll set this thing up," she said, winking at me. I sent her a doubtful look but still agreed. I was burning with curiosity to know what Fabian wanted to tell me

Ingrid sent me a thumbs up and a wink when Fabian wasn't looking and I shook my head. She was a nutcase.

I went out with Fabian and sent him a nervous smile as soon as we sat on one of the tables that was outside on the patio.

"Don't look so nervous. I'm not going to kill you," Fabian joked and broke the ice.

I laughed. "You do look like a serial killer..."

"You wound me," he pouted, placing his hand over his inexistent heart.

"How can I wound you when you don't have a heart?"

"That's just you being an ass," he said jokingly, then narrowed his eyes at me. I laughed and sent him a couple smile.

Our banter reminded me of the first day we met. It was not at all awkward.

"So are you going to tell me what you wanted to, or just keep staring at me like that? I know I'm pretty but damn"

I laughed when I saw Fabian blush a little. With his skin, it was very obvious to see him getting embarrassed.

"I, um," he cleared his throat. "I just wanted to let you know that I will be going to Springsfield tomorrowand will be staying for about a week. I, um, I just wanted to tell you in person," he let out and sighed in relief.

I giggled. It was so funny and strange seeing him all flustered. "Thanks for telling me that. I would have spent the whole week cursing you once again. And remember the spells," I teased and both of us laughed.

"How can I forget the spells? And the muffins? They keep me coming back"

I raised my brows at his reply. "Ah, and I thought you were coming here for my pretty smile. Damn"

"Oh that too," he added as an afterthought and I smiled.

We stared at each other for a moment in silence. It was an agreeable silence, one that necessarily didn't need any words. Just two people made for each other.

Fabian broke the silence. "I, um, I should get going," he said, still looking at me. Then he took my hands into his and placed them in the table.

"Yeah you should," I agreed but neither of us made any move. We kept sitting there smiling at each other with, I'm sure stupid looks on our faces. But we didn't care. We could have stayed there for hours and neither of us would have noticed.

We were finally interrupted by Ingrid who called out my name. I knew it was the morning rush hour and she needed me but I just couldn't bring myself to stop staring at Fabian. And apparently, he couldn't either.

"I really should get going"

"You're right," I sighed, then slowly disengaged our hands. We stood at almost the same time and laughed awkwardly at how synchronized we were.

"Bye," he whispered, then leaned closer, placed a chaste kiss on my forehead and went towards his car.

I touched my forehead in awe. I had never felt that way before and it was a kiss on the forehead. I imagined the feeling of an actual kiss on my lips then shook my head. We were going slow.

No kissing, I reminded myself, no kissing.

***

"Oh my God, I thought we were never going to get done!" Ingrid exclaimed and I nodded. The rush hour (more like hours) of that day was a particularly hectic one. I had never felt so impatient to finish work.

Luckily that we closed at three p.m. so i had enough time to rest and text Fabian, who I guess was already packing for his trip tomorrow.

I told a hearty bye to Ingrid after promising to text, call and all that shit her, locked up then ran to the upper floor of the building to my apartment.

As soon as I changed and made myself comfortable on the couch, I removed my phone. I had three new texts.

I unlocked the phone happily, expecting the texts to be from Fabian, but to my greatest surprise, it was an unknown number that seemed oh-too-familiar.

I clicked on the messages in apprehension and was met with the greatest surprise of my life.

Dee, it's Cory. Alpha Cory

I need to see you. It's really urgent. Can we meet up?

You were right. Gail is cheating on me.

I stared at the phone for a while before locking it and placed it on the far end of the couch. I closed my eyes and rested my hand on my head.

Why couldn't I just have a peaceful life?

***

Are you surprised? Saw it coming?

Tbh, I realized that if I had planned this story from the beginning, it would have been better.

But oh whale 🤷🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️

Hope you enjoyed this update. Vote and comment if you did.

Love, Essie

P.S. Denise's bookstore/cafe