Haunted by their pasts, Keaton and Cole aren't looking for anything serious. But their undeniable connection pulls them closer, even as emotional wounds resurface. With the ghosts of their pasts threatening their future, can they open up and move fo...
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The soft hum of conversation filled the café, blending with the scent of freshly ground coffee. Cole stepped inside, his eyes scanning the familiar space, not expecting to find anything out of the ordinary. He was here for a quick cup before heading to work, his routine as predictable as ever.
But as he moved toward the counter, something caught his eye.
Keaton was standing at the counter, waiting for his drink, his profile illuminated by the warm light filtering through the large windows. His posture was relaxed, his athletic frame silhouetted against the sunlit backdrop, but what stood out the most was the calm, easy confidence he carried. There was no urgency in his movements, no attempt to catch anyone's eye. He seemed comfortable in his own space, unaware of the attention he was drawing.
Cole blinked. It took him a moment to realize that this was Keaton :) from the app—the same guy who had chuckled at "Cole Guy" without a hint of judgment. Cole hadn't expected to see him here, and for a brief second, he hesitated. He wasn't sure if he should approach or let it go. They hadn't spoken much on the app beyond a casual exchange, and Cole wasn't even sure if Keaton would recognize him.
But when Keaton grabbed his coffee and turned to leave, he left behind the small stack of change sitting on the counter. Cole saw his opportunity to make an impression.
"Hey—uh, you forgot this," he called out, holding out the coins.
Keaton turned, his expression blank for a second before he offered a soft, genuine smile. His eyes were warm, unbothered, and there was no spark of recognition in his gaze.
"Thanks, man," Keaton said, his voice smooth but casual. "You can keep it."
Keaton shrugged slightly, a soft smile still playing on his lips, before he turned and walked toward the door, leaving Cole standing there with the change still clutched in his hand.
Cole blinked, watching him disappear through the door. He wasn't used to being brushed off so easily. Normally, people would at least pause, strike up some small talk, maybe try to keep the conversation going. But Keaton had smiled, thanked him, and moved on as if Cole was just another guy in a crowd.
There was something refreshing about it—something that made Cole more curious than he'd been in a long time. He found himself thinking back to their app interaction, how Keaton had chuckled at "Cole Guy" without saying much else. Now, Cole realized, that brief exchange had been Keaton's way of showing he wasn't impressed by bravado or flash. It made Cole wonder what else lay beneath the surface of this quietly intriguing man.
As the door closed behind Keaton, Cole's mind raced. He wasn't sure why this interaction mattered to him, but it did. He had been ignored before, brushed off by people who didn't care, but Keaton's indifference wasn't the same. It wasn't cold—it was just... uninterested. And that made Cole want to find out more. - Hey ;) if you enjoyed this chapter and this novel so far please vote & Comment xx - this encourages me to keep going!
