xxcer12
Title: Black Coffee, No Sugar
Summary:
In the gray Chicago mornings, Maya Delgado orders the same black coffee-no cream, no sugar-and keeps her heart just as guarded. Two years after a breakup that left her questioning everything, she's built a life of quiet routines: cramped apartment, demanding design job, solitary train rides.
Jake Harlan is the guy always a few spots ahead in line, camera bag on his shoulder, ordering his own black coffee with the kind of half-smile that feels accidental. He's been burned too, left by someone who called his freelance life "going nowhere," so he keeps people at arm's length with dry humor and careful distance.
They've noticed each other for months-small nods, fleeting glances-but never spoken. Until the morning Maya's rush sends her coffee splashing across his shirt. Instead of anger, Jake just looks at her with that slow, teasing warmth and says something that makes her laugh despite herself.
What starts as awkward apologies turns into shared commutes, late-night texts about bad client pitches and favorite rooftop photos, and conversations that stretch longer than either planned. But every step closer brings up old fears: Maya's dread of being left again, Jake's habit of pulling back before anyone can get too close.
Sometimes love doesn't crash into you. It just shows up every morning, quiet and steady, until you realize you don't want to drink your coffee alone anymore.