I love Starbucks. I think it's the smell of the fresh coffee and the warm, cosy atmosphere of them. It's probably the fact that no matter where you are they look the same; it's comforting. Maybe that was why I like to get my breakfast here in the mornings, as a reminder that there was always somewhere familiar. Even when there was nothing else.
I was ordering my drink and a cake pop for Darcy when the door swung open. Although it let a cool breeze in, I thought nothing of it and didn't even turn to see who had walked through the door. I preferred not to have to talk in the mornings anyway, so the less human interaction I had the better.
Darcy was wandering around the back of the shop picking a chair she wanted to sit on. I couldn't believe she had gotten to be three already. It had seemed like only months ago that I had found out I was pregnant.
I felt a tap on my shoulder. To begin with I thought it was the cashier telling me my food and drinks were ready, but when I turned around my eyes met a very familiar pair of blue ones. It must be something about Starbucks that brings all familiar things together.
'Jess?'
My heart felt as though it had dropped to my stomach. This was the exact situation I had been trying to avoid when I left. What was he doing here? I had moved to the other side of the world to escape him, and now he was in the Starbucks that was practically at my front door.
'Niall.'
His eyes scanned my body as if to verify that I was who he thought I was. He must have decided that I fit the bill because once his eyes met my face again he pulled me in for a hug. It didn't make me feel any better. If anything it just made me feel more sick. It just reminded me how much I missed him.
'Why are you here? Why did you leave? Where have you been?'
I didn't know how to answer any of those questions, so I stayed silent and just stared at him. It had been years since I had last seen him and I was taking in how his face had changed. His hair was longer and more styled, his teeth were straight and his braces were gone. He looked good and I was here in leggings and a hoodie with no makeup on. Gosh I was a slob.
'Excuse me miss, your stuff is ready?'
I thanked the boy behind the counter and took my tray of food off his hands. He gave me a small smile. Maybe he saw that I looked panicked and wanted to check I wasn't being bothered by the other boy in front of me. I smiled reassuringly back.
'Can I come sit with you? I think we should talk.'
I had never been able to say no to Niall, even when I had wanted to. I just didn't know how this could possibly work out. I was with Darcy and that would mean my entire plan for her life falling down around me. But how could I say no to those crystal clear eyes?
'Mummy, cake pop?'
I looked down to see Darcy clutching my leg and smiling up at me. She was so breathtakingly cute that I managed to smile back at her despite the situation. I passed her the pink cake pop and she hummed happily as she started to eat it and held my hand.
'I think you should come sit with us, we've got a lot to talk about.'
