More to Life ✔

Chapter 7 Tall Order

Photo credit: Nafinia Putra on Unsplash

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Rialoves2cook: I know I promised falafels, the ones my ex raved about, but the more I try, the more my heart isn't in it. That dish needs more soul than I can offer today, so we're switching to a Moroccan stew my girl veggieeats recommended to use up these chickpeas. After tasting the final product, it's clear I need to explore more Moroccan cuisine because this blend of sweetness and savoury spices is rocking my taste buds and even impressing my hard-to-please mother. My sister filmed the process, so be ready for some snarky commentary. #Morocco #delicious #friendsrecommend #chickpea #vegan #momsnodofapproval

posted: September 13th, 9:07 PM

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Maria smoothed her palms over her dress and scanned her reflection in the rear-view mirror. A woman who disappeared months ago stared back. Her dark hair grew shinier and healthier each week, a drastic change from her previous unkempt scarecrow style. With her near-permanent bags fading, her eyes sparkled, and instead of passing as an upturned grimace, her smile brightened up her entire face. She looked cute and low-key sexy like the woman she once was.

The jitters set in as she glanced at the local coffee shop Adrian had chosen with hand-drawn, colourful leaves on the windows. She was positive Kelsey had taken her here last year, but she dismissed the thought as she stepped out of her family car. This was her best chance to show him how much she valued him and redeem her hurtful, trivializing actions.

The aroma of roasted coffee captured her as she walked through the doors. An angsty local band Adrian loved played between the grinding of beans and soft conversation. After scanning many trimmed beards, toques, and plaid shirts, she found him with sunglasses resting in his long dark hair. He hadn't bothered to shave, but it suited him.

She grinned and steadied her pace not to appear too eager even though she longed for his embrace. "Adrian, it's nice to see you."

As he smiled, she leaned in for a hug. His arms tentatively reached around her, almost afraid to hold her too close. Her shoulders sagged. How could something they'd done countless times feel so different now?

"You look nice," he said.

As she smiled, he averted his eyes to his spicy-scented chai latte. Coffee was too mainstream for him. Not Maria, it was her fuel for early and late shifts.

"Thanks, you too."

He stared at his mug, unusually unresponsive to her compliment. "I wasn't sure what you wanted."

Silence fell over the table. Was she that difficult or had he not wanted to buy her anything? Tracing the rim with his index finger, Adrian shifted his gaze to a picture of a red bicycle opposite them as if they were strangers in a lobby finding common ground.

"I'll grab something."

She left her coat on the chair and ordered an overpriced caramel latte at the counter. When she peered back, he texted away with a grin on his lips. It could be Will, but he rarely made Adrian that happy.

As she paid for the coffee, her wallet slipped from her hands, sending silver coins clattering into obscure corners and drawing dirty looks from the disturbed patrons. After grabbing the last coin off the floor, she placed her money on the counter.

"Sorry," she muttered in response to the barista's forced smile. He counted the pile of change quickly and called the next customer forward.

Shuffling to the side, she noted Adrian hadn't glanced up from his phone. She chewed her lip. It seemed less likely he wanted to be here.