Love a Thousand Miles Away

Chapter 1 - Coffee Addicts

I officially give up on men. Not to be dramatic or anything but I've decided to be dramatic. How I ever thought he honestly loved me I don't know. It's my fault for giving him the benefit of doubt, my fault for meeting his sweet mom, and my fault for being nice. He played me and we both know it.

I have decided to focus my energy on myself. I want more in life than where he wanted to keep me. From now on, I'm living by two rules. Rule #1: 'Do only what makes me happy.' And Rule #2: 'Never trust another man again. Especially the handsome ones.'

I let out a quick whistle and hear the distinct tippy taps of my dog's paws as she sprints around the corner. I pick up her leash just as she tries and fails to put the breaks on her sprint. Her little body doesn't get the memo and she smashes right into my leg. Tail wagging and tongue lolling to the side, she happily looks up at me.

"Sit, Penny," I command. Tail still on overdrive, she plops down right next to my foot. I slip on her harness and clip it closed. "Good girl. Ready for our morning walk? Of course you are, look how excited you are." Penny is a unique dog that I adopted 6 years ago. She's a very interesting mix of breeds: a Chihuahua, a Pitbull, and a Labrador. I know, crazy. Her dad was a short Pitbull and chihuahua mix and her mom was a medium-height Labrador Pitbull mix. This gave her very unique characteristics, and she has the best qualities of all three. She is small in size like a chihuahua, has medium-length copper-colored fur, floppy ears like a Labrador, and the face of a Pitbull puppy.

Before I get the chance to walk out the door, my phone pings with two new messages, and my eyes roll involuntarily as soon as I see who it's from: my ex, Logan. The same one I have to thank for my newfound motivation to focus on myself and never talk to men again.

Logan: Please forgive me. She didn't mean anything and you're the love of my life. I can't live without you. I'm not perfect but I'm working on myself. One day I'll give you everything.

Logan: My mom says hi and that she misses you.

Oh come on. Using his sweet mom is a low blow. He can't really think I'll fall for this again. The first time he manipulated my kindness and forgiveness was on him. If I fall for this again, it'll be on me. No way will I be that pathetic again.
The last 8 months has been non-stop sorry excuses and empty promises just like this one. When I know for a fact his partying and drunken one night stands haven't stopped. I've had enough. I just need to be brutally honest and get my point across since nothing else seems to be working.

Poppy: Logan, you need to move on and stop texting me. I've already told you we have no future together. I don't love you anymore and at this point I'm blocking you.

There, blocked. If he doesn't understand me clearly this time then that's no longer my concern. I'm sticking to my two new rules and rule #1 is to do what makes me happy. Blocking him makes me happy. Getting a cup of coffee will also make me happy, I think as I grab my purse and my dog and walk out of my apartment. I make my way to my favorite coffee shop around the corner from my home. The Copper Bean is owned by an older couple who made it into a homey library cafe. I love coming here for the best cup of coffee in town and to read a good book from their extensive collection. In fact, I love coming here so much that I started working here. The owners aren't as quick on their feet anymore and they could use an extra hand. This place is my home away from home so I might as well help run it at this point. I've even added some of my own house plants on a few various dusty book shelves to add a bit of freshness to the place.

"Good morning, Mave", I wave to the elderly owner behind the counter. "Where's Jerry this morning?" Jerry usually stays in the back office working on the various administrative tasks that come with a coffee shop, but I noticed the office is closed and the light is off.

"Good morning, dear. His hip started acting up so he's resting at home. It's just me today." Mave answers as she hands me my go-to coffee: a triple shot latte with oak milk and a drizzle of caramel. I grab the hot cup and immediately take a sip.

"Mmmm", I hum and lick my lips tasting the caramel there. "Thank you, just what I needed this chilly morning."

Mave chuckles and answers "I know dear, it's what you need every morning." She grabs a rag and wipes down the counter.

"I'm sorry to hear about Jerry. Has physical therapy not been working?" I ask as I unleash Penny. She runs to her bed in the corner and curls up by the unlit fireplace. I walk over and begin to pile wood in there. Usually, Jerry would have this lit by now, too.

"It has its days when it helps. But you know how stubborn Jerry is. His hip must take after his stubbornness," she jokes. "We've been talking about hip replacement surgery but he's being stubborn about retiring afterwards, too."

I notice she sniffles and coughs a little as she laughs at her own joke. She doesn't look too good either. "Mave are you feeling okay?" I ask as I notice her pale complexion. "You don't seem like yourself today."

"Oh it's nothing, just a little tickle in my throat." Her answer is followed by another cough and a sneeze this time. She dabs at her teary eyes with a tissue and begins restocking the shelves behind the register.

"Mave." I stand up straight, put my hands on my hips and say in a disciplinary tone. I already know she's downplaying her symptoms and pretending everything is okay.

"Oh hush now! I'm just fine." She waves a dismissive hand my way. "It's not like I can just kick up my feet all day. Someone needs to make these coffee addicts their fix."

"That's it, you go home and kick your feet up. I can take over for today. With this gloomy weather, it's bound to be a slow day anyways, so you have nothing to worry about here." I cut her off before she can protest in answer and continue. "Besides, I was planning to spend my day here anyways. There's a certain romance book I'm itching to finish."

Mave huffs and tries to sound annoyed as she says, "Well since you're being so darn bossy, I guess I don't have a choice but to go home." Pulling Mave away from work is like pulling healthy teeth out. It's a painful experience for everyone involved. With her lack of fight, I know she's grateful for the reprieve. Taking off her apron, she grabs her purse and comes over for a quick hug.

"Will you be okay getting home?" I ask, worried about her state.

"Yes, yes. Now stop fussing like the mother goose you are and thank you. You call me if anyone gives you any trouble today." She responds as she walks to the door to leave.

"I'll be fine. You go home and take care of yourself." I wave goodbye and start tying my apron on. "And tell Jerry I say hello", I shout before the door shuts. I chuckle at her responding dismissive wave. Where such a tiny lady got all that sass I'll never know.

With the fire started, I turn on some relaxing music and begin watering my plants. Just as the warmth from the fire begins to spread, it starts raining outside. This morning is starting out as the perfect Autumn day. I snuggle into the armchair closest to the cash register and turn to the page I left off on in my book.

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Thanks for reading! This is an ongoing story and I'll try to post new chapters often.
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