Captives

ELEVEN

Harper's POV

"Honey?" My boss calls from the back of the coffee shop.

We aren't together. He just keeps calling me that.

"Harper." I correct under my breath as I tie my apron, walking to the storage room.

"Can you bring these to the front?" Kev hands me a box of assorted coffee grounds. "Just restock what's there and start new jars for the others."

I thin my lips, giving an annoyed nod. Tyler says the 'Honey' thing isn't an accident, that it's probably some lame pick up tactic. He can't directly come onto me since he's a manager here, but it seems as if he's hoping I'll have some positive response to it. You know, because being called by the wrong name is so alluring.

Tyler calls me every so often to check in, so I give him a few details without coming out right and saying I hate it and wish I would have faced things instead of running. He's not the ideal confidant, but I don't really have any friends. I don't have anyone anymore.

I sigh and head to the front.

As I do, my mind drifts back to where it always does. Making it the very first event in my life that I can't simply ignore. Our Captive Experience: starring Sebastian Zimmer and yours truly. I reminisce on it like that, almost as if it were some dark romance. But it wasn't actually all that dark, he treated me very well. Like I was a treasure to him.

With Sebastian, it was like our minds were familiar with one another from the start, like we were made for each other. I smile to myself as I think of him. Such an odd man he was. And I adored it. Our very first interaction involved playful theories of alien abduction. No one else I've associated with even believes in aliens. Or kidnapping strangers for the sake of love. I laugh at that thought, stocking the coffee.

Sebastian had passion, at least for me. He was complex, damaged, but so authentic.

He was perfect.

I accidentally knock over a glass jar of coffee beans, spilling them all over the counter and floor. I toss my head back in a groan. Then I hear someone chuckle.

My spine straightens but I don't turn around.

I know that laugh. My heart aches for the warm smile that accompanies it.

I can feel it in my core... my soul has returned.

I turn around slowly, holding my breath in anticipation.

There he is.

Same as before, with his messy brown hair and better than ocean eyes. His hands are tucked into his jean pockets and his sweater is the same deep blue of his eyes. I can feel my mind, my heart, my very being humming back to life like it's been awaiting his return to revive. Tears well in my eyes and I place a hand over my accelerating heart.

"H-hey." Sebastian seems nervous, like he isn't sure if I'm happy or terrified.

I'm a little of both.

He found me.

How did he find me? And how has he been? Was he hurt after I left? Probably devastated.

"Oh-" Kev has emerged from the back, tying his own apron on. "We're not open yet."

He turns to me, obviously peeved like it's my fault. I didn't let him in! Sebastian just has a way of getting to me, no matter the obstacle.