I swallow the lump that's forming in my throat and begin searching my brain for something to say, but even if I could find the words, I wouldn't be able to say them because my mouth is unable to move. I'm standing face-to-face with Athena again, and just like the first time I saw her, I'm speechless.
It took me three days to work up the courage to walk into this coffee shop again, because coming back here only reminded me that she moved on and I didn't. But I had to know if she still loved me, so I dragged myself across the street. I hadn't expected Athena to be in here. If I had known she was, I wouldn't have bumped into her the way I did. But maybe it's a good thing that I did, because it almost forces us to talk.
"I'm so sorry. Let me buy you another one," I offer and I try to ignore all the eyes looking in our direction. One of the baristas comes around from the counter with a towel and begins cleaning up the spilled coffee.
"Let me," I say, grabbing the rag from her with a smile. She smiles back and returns to the counter to help the waiting customers.
I bend down to wipe up the mess on the floor and I look up at Athena who's clutching her sweater close to her chest. I know I shouldn't have looked, but I couldn't help but notice the bright pink bra she was wearing.
"I really am sorry. I didn't see you standing there and... Please, let me buy you another coffee. It's the least I could do for ruining your clothes."
I look at her, but she averts her gaze, looking anywhere but me.
"It's fine," she says quietly. "I didn't really want coffee anyway."
I stand up and try to get her to look at me.
"Athena, I know you, and I know the one thing you never turn down is free coffee."
She shifts her weight from one foot to the other while pulling her sweater tighter around her chest. Her eyes move down to look at the mess around her feet and then she looks back up at me. "Okay."
I walk over to the counter and order a fresh cup of coffee for Athena and one for myself. I turn around with the cups in my hand and notice that she's sat at a table near the window. She looks outside, her chin resting on her hand as she watches the people outside. It's moments like this that I miss. I could watch her for hours and I could never know what was going through her mind. I'd sure like to know what's going through her mind right now.
I walk over to the table and set her drink in front of her. I look at the chair across from her that I was about to sit in when I realize that maybe she wants me to leave. I don't blame her, I just spilled hot coffee all over her.
"May I?" I ask, gesturing to the empty chair and, to my surprise, she nods.
"I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine, Harry. You don't have to keep apologizing."
I laugh because I don't know what else to do. I glance around the shop and realize that Sean isn't with Athena, and I'm slightly relieved. This might be the only chance I get to talk to Athena again, and I know she won't admit anything with him around.
"Where's Sean?" I ask and she raises an eyebrow at me, like she didn't expect me to ask about him.
"Well, I guess you could say we broke up," she says and looks away from me. I don't know if I should be happy or not. But she doesn't seem too heartbroken about it so I don't feel completely guilty about the smile I'm trying to hide.
"I'm sorry to hear that," I lie.
"It's fine. I don't think it would've lasted much longer anyway." She's still avoiding my gaze, but she isn't crying. Did she break up with him? She couldn't possibly have moved on that fast unless she's the one who broke up with him. But then I realize that I'm thinking too much about this and should talk about something else.
