The Unwritten Chapters

Chapter 6. Espressos

Dominic was just wrapping up his workday, the screen in front of him a blur of code and numbers, when his phone buzzed on his desk. He glanced at it, seeing Serena's name flash across the screen. His heart skipped a beat, but before he could even think of the usual pleasantries, he heard the tension in her voice.

"Dom... I don't know how we're going to do this." Serena's tone was shaky, frustration and exhaustion blending together. "The café... Melody's doing her best, but there's still so much to do. We're nowhere near ready, and the grand opening is in less than a few days from now. I swear the shelves are falling apart, the paint isn't drying right, and... oh my god, we don't even have half the menu written up! AND ESMERELDA Made me buy a espresso machine for authentic espresso!! SHES NOT EVEN HERE TO HELP!!

Dominic could hear her pacing, the stress clear in the quick rhythm of her words. "It's all falling apart, and I— I just don't know what to do anymore."

Dominic stood up from his desk, grabbing his jacket with one hand and holding the phone tightly with the other. "Hey, hey, slow down," he said, his voice calm but firm. "You're not alone in this, okay? I'm off work now. I can come help."

There was a pause on the other end, and for a moment, Dom wondered if she was considering it. "You'd really come?" Serena's voice softened, the panic giving way to a hint of relief.

"Of course," Dom replied. "I wouldn't offer if I didn't mean it. Besides, what kind of friend would I be if I let you do all this alone?" Another small pause, and then a long sigh from Serena. "Thank you, Dom. Seriously. I could really use your help."

He smiled, his hand tightening around his keys. "I'll be there as fast as I can. We'll get this done. I promise."

With that, he hung up and headed for the door, feeling a strange sense of excitement mixed with determination. Dominic arrived at Purr & Pages, parking a few blocks away due to the usual city traffic. When he walked in, he could immediately see what Serena meant—there were boxes scattered everywhere, paint cans sitting open, and furniture half-assembled. Melody was by the counter, looking over a list, while Serena was crouched down, sorting through a pile of books.

"Hey," Dominic said, walking toward Serena. She glanced up, giving him a grateful smile.

"Dom! Thank god you're here," she said, standing and brushing some dust off her jeans. "We've been trying to get the shelves up and paint everything, but it's just... it's chaos."

Dominic chuckled, " yeah it's like your high school love life in here." Serena narrowed her eyes and punched him on the shoulder. "Shut up dude!" He laughed a bit at her reaction before saying. "Okay where do you guys need me?"

Melody looked up from her list and raised her hand. "We could definitely use an extra pair of hands to finish assembling those bookshelves in the corner. Esmeralda was supposed to come help, but she got stuck at her other job."

"Bookshelves it is," Dominic said, rolling up his sleeves. They got to work fixing up the coffee shop, each tackling their tasks with determination. Dominic hung up shelves along the walls, using his height to get everything just right, while Melody assembled cat trees and scratching posts in one corner. Serena busied herself organizing the menus and setting up a little book display by the entrance.
Once Dominic was done with the shelves, he and Serena teamed up for touch-up painting. At first, they worked quietly, but soon enough, Dominic "accidentally" swiped a bit of paint onto Serena's arm.

"Hey!" Serena laughed, looking at the smear of paint on her skin. "You did not just do that."

Dom grinned, not even trying to hide his amusement. "What? I missed a spot."