Temporary Fix

Chapter 3: A Perfect Distraction

The coffee shop was bustling with the morning crowd, the scent of freshly brewed espresso filling the air, blending with the faint smell of baked goods coming from the counter. Trixie stepped inside, shaking off the early autumn chill as she glanced around, noting how the warmth of the café seemed to melt away the usual stress of her busy week. She approached the counter, already looking forward to her usual order: a caramel latte with a hint of cinnamon.

The barista had just started preparing her drink when she heard a burst of laughter from across the room. She turned, and her heart stuttered as she saw him—Louis. He was seated at a small table by the window, his attention fixed on the person sitting across from him. He looked relaxed, at ease, a playful smile lighting up his face as he leaned back in his chair, laughing at something his friend had said.

A pang of nervousness—and something else she couldn't quite name—rippled through her. She felt the impulse to turn and leave, to avoid the whole situation entirely, but before she could act on it, Louis's gaze drifted in her direction. His eyes landed on her, widening slightly in surprise. For a moment, neither of them moved, both frozen in a silent acknowledgment of the other.

Then, to her surprise, Louis's expression softened into a warm smile. He lifted a hand in a small wave, motioning for her to come over. Trixie hesitated, glancing down at her half-finished coffee on the counter, considering her options. But there was something about the way he looked at her—inviting, casual, as though seeing her here was the most natural thing in the world.

With a nervous but hopeful smile, she picked up her coffee, weaving through the tables until she reached him.

"Didn't think I'd be running into you here," he greeted, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as she approached.

"Neither did I," she replied, feeling a little self-conscious but unable to resist his easy charm. "Just here for my caffeine fix."

The man sitting with Louis glanced between them, his curiosity obvious. Louis gave a small chuckle, introducing them. "Trixie, this is Natan. Natan, Trixie."

Natan extended a hand with a friendly grin. "Nice to meet you, Trixie. Anyone who manages to hold Louis's attention this long must be pretty interesting."

Trixie blushed, feeling a strange mix of embarrassment and delight at Natan's words. Louis's easygoing demeanor had always made their encounters feel like a game, a dance of sorts, where they kept things light and playful. But hearing someone acknowledge that she might mean something to him made the situation feel more... real.

"Or maybe I'm just lucky enough to run into him in unexpected places," she replied, shooting Louis a knowing look.

Natan laughed, clearly amused. "Well, Louis, you sure have been holding out on me. Didn't expect my buddy here to be keeping secrets."

Louis rolled his eyes, looking mildly embarrassed. "Not everything is a secret, Natan. Some things are just... unplanned."

There was an edge to his tone that caught Trixie's attention, as if he was reluctant to define what they were. It made her wonder—was he feeling the same push and pull she was? Or was he just trying to keep things casual, to avoid the unspoken tension growing between them?

Natan leaned back in his chair, raising an eyebrow at Louis. "Unplanned, huh? Sounds like you two have some catching up to do. I'll get going—don't want to interrupt the reunion." He flashed Trixie a grin and winked at Louis before standing. "Nice to meet you, Trixie. Take care of this one, would you? He needs someone to keep him on his toes."