Meeting Him in a Coffee Shop ✓

Goodnight pretty girl

I would definitely regret the following words that came out, but I didn't wanna live my life without him, even if it was for only a brief moment in the grand scheme of things.

"Okay, short-term, no strings attached."

His beaming smile made it worth it though.

We finally exchanged numbers after I paid for my drink and left a hefty tip for Joe and his wonderful matchmaking skills. We make plans to meet up the following day for coffee after work.

As I'm walking to work the next day, the only thing I can think about is all the things that we are going to be talking about and when we will not be talking and doing other things. I am so impatient and can hardly concentrate that my boss takes notice and sends me home early. I race to the coffee shop to try and find the best seat but as I walk through the door I see my favorite mop of brown curls, this time alone.

"Hey, I thought we were planning on meeting at 5:30?"

"Says the one here at 5:10," he shoots back. I missed our banter.

We both stand there awkwardly, unsure if we should hug, shake hands, kiss? He takes the lead though when he walks towards me and hugs me. I feel the familiar warmth and safety as I rest my head on his strong chest, reveling in his scent and embrace. The hug was cut too short though when Joe walks over and asks for our order. We quickly retract and I feel cold, missing his arms. I try my hardest to kill Joe with my eye daggers but he seems completely oblivious as he asks if I want my usual.

We talk about everything under the sun and above it. I talk about my internship, my family back home, things we didn't touch on last time. He tells me more about his career on YouTube, which apparently is not just a space for funny animal videos. He also talks about his sister, Zoë, and how he told her about me.

"She really wants to meet you, ya know."

I take my time finishing the final bite of my twist. "Well I wish I could meet her, but remember short-term. You don't introduce your family to someone unless it's serious."

"I guess you're right."

I let out a small laugh when I remember that he introduces me to his nan less than a few hours after meeting me.

We continue to converse, switching between topics relating to our lives and in the world around us. It's not until Joe tells us that he is closing the shop that I finally look around and realize that not only is the entire shop empty, but it is also dark outside. I curse when I realize that I will have to walk home in the dark.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing. I just hate having to walk home in the dark. There's this little alley I walk through that can be kinda sketchy, even during daylight." I laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

"Let me walk you home? Besides you live on Donver right? I'm just a few streets past there."

"Are you sure?" I want nothing more than to say yes, but I want to try to take it slow.

He instead stands up and sticks his arm out. I put my arm through his, remembering how we did it last time. We wave goodbye to Joe and walk outside.

We talk for a bit while we are walking but soon fall into a comfortable silence, walking in step with each other, together.

We reach my building too soon, but without a word, I keep walking into the building, with my arm still wrapped around his. He follows behind me, not saying anything either, but I hear him let out a small snicker. We reach the door of my flat and I try really hard to not ask him to come in, but my willpower wilts when I see his eyes peering into mine.

"Well, I guess this is where we say goodbye." He removes his arm from mine, but grabs both my hands in his and stands to face me.

"Well I guess so- Um, would you like to come in? I don't know maybe watch a movie, or just talk, get tea or something? I don't know?"

He smiles, leaning closer, "Why don't we just take this slow? I mean we have almost three more months and I don't wanna get too attached."

I mirror his smile, leaning in as well, "I guess you're right." I lean in so my lips are almost touching his, but at the last moment I tilt my head and they land on his cheek. "Goodnight." Without another word, I unlock my door as quickly as I can and go inside. As soon as I close the door though, I quickly turn around and look through my peephole. I see him look at the door, smiling and I almost melt.

"Goodnight pretty girl," he says to the door.

A/N: AYY! Two updates in one day. We're almost done with the story and I just wanna get it all out there at once.