Evermore

Chapter Fourteen

Aurelia

I was behind the counter again, the usual hum of the café around me.

It was the same routine: cleaning the tables, making coffee, and occasionally chatting with regulars. But something was different that day.

Sitting at one of the tables was Cade. It had been at least a week since I last saw him.

He was not alone but with his friends--a man whose golden hair shined like sunlight and his blue eyes reflected the ocean's depths.

Opposite them sat a woman, her auburn hair in glossy waves. Carefully manicured nails with pink polish. Rosegold earrings that glistened. Each movement of her fingers exuded grace; adjusting the dainty bracelet on her wrist and tracing the rim of her coffee cup.

The conversation from the table drifted over and despite my best efforts not to eavesdrop, I heard snippets of their conversation--research papers and academic jargon that sounded like a foreign language to me. It was clear they were his colleagues.

Later, Cade made his way to the counter. "Aurelia?"

I gave a small smile. "Cade."

"The bandage is gone," he stated, looking at my forehead where there had been a gash but it was almost healed.

I nodded. "It's healing very well."

"You're doing great, just keep up with the care."

"Thank you."

He held out his credit card. "I'd like to pay for our order."

"Oh no," I immediately said.

"Why not?"

"You've already helped me out more times than I can count."

"It's no problem," he said. "I insist."

"I-I can't accept it."

"Alright then," he sighed.

I felt triumph that he listened to me.

However, it wasn't until later that afternoon when I was taking off my apron that I noticed a small wad of cash in my pocket--which he had no doubt somehow snuck in.

I shook my head, smiling to myself.