Playing With Fire

Sixteen: Morning Mocha, Midnight Tears

Jade's POV… 

"Damn it, how am I supposed to make it through the day with only two hours of sleep?" I grumbled irritably as my alarm blared. The temptation to call in sick was strong, but I knew my patients relied on me—especially after my recent five-day vacation.

Dragging myself out of bed, I sat on the edge for a few moments, glaring at the alarm clock, resentful that it had the audacity to fulfill its purpose. Moving sluggishly, like a turtle, I made my way to the closet. After a brief deliberation, I selected my outfit for the day—a lilac blouse paired with sleek black slacks and elegant black flats.

Grabbing my perfectly coordinated black lingerie set, I carefully laid my clothes on the chaise at the foot of my bed before heading to the bathroom. The promise of a steaming hot shower was the only thing keeping me upright.

As I meticulously untangled the unruly strands of my thick, curly hair, a familiar dilemma resurfaced: Should I take the day off?

The sheer effort required to style my hair every morning often left me contemplating a drastic change. The thought of freeing myself from the endless routine was tempting—maybe I should just chop it all off. But doubt held me back. What if shorter hair didn’t suit me?

Dismissing the thought, I got dressed, straightened my posture, and, exuding an air of confidence, exited my apartment with my phone and purse in hand.

Time Skip – A Much-Needed Stop

Before heading to the office, I made a spontaneous decision to swing by Rondo Breakfast Bar. This morning, I craved their heavenly blended iced mocha and a luscious strawberry shortcake doughnut—just the energy boost I needed to survive the first half of the day.

Navigating the partially filled parking lot, I managed to find a spot near the entrance. I parked, stepped out, and made my way toward the door, eager to indulge in my breakfast treat. Just as I reached for the handle, my phone chimed. Bryan’s name illuminated the screen. Without hesitation, I dismissed the call and stepped inside.

The moment I crossed the threshold, a delightful symphony of aromas enveloped my senses. The air was saturated with the tantalizing scent of freshly baked goods and rich, brewed coffee. My stomach rumbled in response, and my mouth watered uncontrollably as my eyes locked onto the glass case near the counter. Inside, an array of freshly baked chocolate-covered doughnuts sat temptingly on display.

A Morning at Rondo’s

"Good morning, Ms. McCall," Aaron Salter, the bar owner’s son, greets me with an exuberant smile.

"Good morning right back at ya," I reply, settling onto a stool at the counter.

"Shall I prepare your usual today? The strawberry shortcake doughnut and the blended iced mocha?" he asks.

Chuckling, I remark, "You certainly know what I like to order."

"Well, it's hard not to when it’s the only thing you ever order for breakfast here," he teases, tapping on the monitor in front of him. "Would you like to add anything else?" he asks just as my phone begins to ring.

"Give me a moment, please," I say, reaching for my phone. Seeing Kookie’s name flash across the screen, I answer warmly, "Good morning, Kookie."

"Hey, could you do me a favor and bring me two Oreo-glazed doughnuts and a piping hot cup of hot chocolate coffee from Rondo's?" His voice brims with excitement.