My Last And My Only

Chapter 148: Just Here for the Coffee

The next morning, Aiah woke up telling herself she had absolutely no reason to leave the house.

She had laundry to fold.

A résumé to update.

And a bookshelf that had somehow become a place for random receipts, old sticky notes, and unopened envelopes she kept meaning to sort through.

She was halfway through organizing it when her phone buzzed.

It was the girls' group chat.

Christine:
📍MEZZO

Christine:
Reporting live.

A picture followed.

Khae stood behind the counter, wearing the same black apron from yesterday. One hand held a stainless steel milk pitcher while the other carefully placed a cup on a tray.

She wasn't even looking at the camera.

She looked completely focused.

Another picture appeared.

This time Khae was laughing at something Lindtsey had said.

The café behind them looked packed.

Christine:
Business is booming.

Yves:
It's only ten in the morning.

Christine:
Exactly.

Gwen:
Didn't you say Mezzo was already busy even before summer?

Christine:
It was.

Christine:
Now it's ridiculous.

A third picture arrived.

The queue stretched almost to the entrance.

Nica:
😳

Francheska:
That's a lot of people.

Christine sent one last message.

Christine:
Half of them aren't here for the coffee.

Aiah rolled her eyes despite smiling.

She locked her phone and returned to her bookshelf.

Five minutes later...

She picked up her phone again.

By noon...

She had somehow changed into jeans and a simple white blouse.

Ivy looked up from the dining table.

"Going somewhere?"

"Mm."

"Where?"

Aiah picked up her bag as casually as she could.

"Mezzo."

"Oh?"

"I've been craving their iced latte."

Ivy smiled.

"I thought your new favorite café was the one near the university."

"...Today it's Mezzo."

"I see."

Aiah jokingly narrowed her eyes.

"Tita, don't start."

"I didn't say anything."

"...You smiled."

"I always smile."