Fragments of Us

Chapter Twenty-Three: Invited

The afternoon sun cast a warm glow through the windows of Brewed Awakenings, giving the café a cozy, golden hue. Milo sat with Jason and Chev at their usual corner table, the one by the window that overlooked the busy street. He was nursing his order—a perfectly brewed cappuccino with just the right amount of foam and a light sprinkle of cocoa powder. Milo loved coffee, but only when it was done right, and Brewed Awakenings never disappointed.

Chev was animatedly recounting her recent purchase, gesturing wildly as she spoke. "And let me tell you, this microwave is a game-changer! It has a built-in air fryer, dehydrator, and even a defrost setting that actually works! None of that half-frozen, half-cooked nonsense."

Jason raised an eyebrow, his arms crossed as he leaned back in his chair. "Sounds fancy. How much did this magic microwave set you back?"

Chev puffed up defensively. "Okay, yes, it was expensive. But you don’t understand the value it brings to my kitchen! I can make crispy chicken in ten minutes!"

Jason rolled his eyes. "For the price of that thing, you could’ve just ordered takeout every day for six months."

Atlas approached their table at that moment, balancing a tray with their orders. He placed Jason’s black coffee and Chev’s iced matcha latte in front of them before taking a seat. "What’s this about microwaves?" he asked, his lips twitching into a smirk.

Chev waved her hand dismissively. "Ignore Jason. He doesn’t appreciate the finer things in life."

   "I appreciate things that don’t cost as much as my rent," Jason shot back.

Atlas chuckled, and even Milo found himself laughing softly, the easy banter lifting his mood.

As they settled into the comfortable rhythm of their conversation, a woman approached their table, her heels clicking against the wooden floor. She was confident, her smile bright as she directed her attention to Atlas.

   "Hi," she said, her voice warm but slightly nervous. "I just wanted to say… you’re really handsome. And, um, I was wondering if I could get your number?"

Atlas blinked, caught off guard for a split second before his signature charm kicked in. He smiled warmly at the woman. "Thank you. That’s really sweet of you, and I commend you for making the first move." He paused, his tone gentle but firm. "But I’m gay."

The woman’s eyes widened in surprise. "Oh! I didn’t realize. Well, good for you!" She glanced over her shoulder, suddenly motioning toward a table nearby where another person sat, clearly trying to appear nonchalant. "Actually… my friend over there—he’s gay too, and he also thinks you’re cute. He dared me to come over here."

Atlas’s eyebrows lifted in amused surprise as the woman turned and muttered under her breath, “He’s gay, you guys would be perfect,” before striding over to her friend.

Without giving her friend much choice, she forcibly grabbed him by the arm and practically yanked him out of his seat. "If I’m doing this, you’re coming with me," she hissed, dragging him across the café.

Her friend, a man in a sharp blazer with a shy but hopeful smile, reluctantly approached the table, looking a bit mortified but also intrigued.

Atlas maintained his composure, smiling politely at the unfolding scene, but his gaze instinctively flicked to Milo. To anyone else, Milo seemed perfectly fine—his lips curled into a polite smile as he watched the interaction. He even took a sip of his cappuccino as though nothing was amiss.

But Atlas knew Milo too well to miss the subtle shift in his demeanor: the way his fingers tightened slightly around the cup, the way his eyes didn’t quite meet Atlas’s.