A Night I Didn't Expect

Since ending my relationship with Alex three weeks ago, I've been trying to stay busy at work. Last night was different though. After closing the café early, a regular customer named Jamie stayed behind. We started talking about our days and how we felt after lockdowns ended. Before long, it slipped into more personal territory, my breakup struggles, his quiet yearning for companionship. The barista in me wanted to keep serving drinks, but the vulnerable side of me craved human connection. Next thing I knew, we were sharing a drink behind the counter, getting closer. It felt comforting yet strange, like I was breaking some unspoken rule. In the end, we decided it was just one night and not a replacement for moving on, even if the attraction lingered in the air like leftover espresso grounds.