Death Meet Cute | ONC 2022

Chapter 4

Louie spotted the same fur coat he recognized from the hospital in the corner of the coffee shop, facing the window. The same unruly curly brown hair contrasted nicely with the lighter-colored material of the man's coat.

He was 99% sure that that was Robbie in the corner, the same colored coffee beside him, but he pulled out his phone while in line to order. Usually, he'd mobile order his coffee ahead of time, but he was in a rush after struggling to find a decent and washed jacket. He'd be sure to add laundry and organize his clothes once he returned home.

I'm here, Louie sent Robbie. It was quiet enough in the cafe for Louie to hear the ping on Robbie's phone. A couple in the tables behind him turned slightly before going back to their computers. Comedically, Robbie had jumped at the sound before grabbing his phone so aggressively that he nearly tipped his drink over. Watching Robbie's reaction almost made Louie laugh, but he stifled the sound, so none of the people behind him in line heard.

"You ready to order?" the person at the register asked. Louie hadn't realized the person in front of him had already ordered. He gave the order to the cashier, who remembered his name from the last time, before stepping away. He glanced over at the corner, where Robbie had turned in his seat, looking over and waving at Louie. With a brief wave of the hand, Louie waited for his beverage before approaching the table.

"No shades this time?" Louie barely sat down when Robbie greeted him. The two let out a short laugh at that.

"No shades," Louie remarked, pulling out his chair and sitting. "Although, my eyes are still a bit puffy."

Robbie took a sip of his iced macchiato as he looked up at him. "It's not that bad."

"I think Reuben was right. I'm going to need to start using those face masks and skincare he stockpiled." Louie dabbed his fingers under his eyes. "Surely, all this crying is messing with the pores."

Robbie squinted his eyes, moving his head around to inspect his face. "Looks fine to me. A little dark circles, but who doesn't have those these days."

Louie's steel-gray eyes rolled before glancing at the drinks before them. "You got your regular?"

"Yup, macchiato, stirred. Sometimes I go with an iced latte like Bruno when I want something sweeter. But this is my regular." Robbie shifted in his seat, his jacket nearly falling off his shoulder as he raised his hand to point at Louie's drink. "Americano?"

Louie nodded. "My usual. I'm lactose intolerant, and well, I'm used to black coffee. When Reuben ordered his latte with almond milk, I'd sip on his occasionally. It's a bit sweet for my liking, though."

Robbie shuddered at the thought. "I hate black coffee."

"It's an acquired taste. I probably shouldn't drink that much of it."

Robbie shrugged. "I don't know; I heard coffee has some great benefits. When it's not chock full of sugar, sweetener, or milk like mine."

"Definitely better than those energy drinks Reuben would drink."

"Or alcohol?"

Louie nodded. "Better than alcohol. Unless it's a coffee liqueur, we're talking about."

Robbie smirked. "Maybe it cancels each other out, neither good nor bad, in that case."

"That's not how it works, but sure."

Robbie nearly snorted, settling on sipping his drink again. The two looked around them; the cafe was a bit busier than when they first arrived. Louie wondered if the baristas or other regulars found it strange that he'd be here with anyone but Reuben. After all, Reuben had memorized each worker's name, a few of their birthdays, and even knew a couple of the part-timers from school.