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She deflates like a balloon. "I guess you're right. I shouldn't get my hopes up over a potential one-night stand."
"Act—" I shut my trap, internally scolding myself. I nearly corrected her, but she doesn't know I grew up with Hayden. Damn, I gotta get my stories straight!
Her eyes turn into slits. "But something did happen."
It's a statement. Not a question. One I can't steer myself from, not without a sprinkle of truth. Mei knows me too well.
I shrug, even though at just the thought of him, my clothes feel suffocatingly hot, the drawstrings of my apron tied too tight around my nape. "Things may have gotten a little bit... handsy at dinner."
Her eyes alight with excitement, brighter than a child's on Christmas morning. "Yes, I—"
"But!" I lift a finger, silencing her. "That was the end of it."
She pouts her full lips, whining. "Whyyyy? He's so easy on the eyes. Seriously, he might be the hottest guy on all of Charmr, and he took you out for steak."
"Well, I called things off. I want more than a pretty face. And to be honest, he wasn't as hot in person," I lie through my teeth, hoping it'll resonate with my brain.
"Ohh, no." Her face contorts. "You got catfished?"
Biting down on a laugh, I imagine how furious Hayden would be hearing his name and catfish remotely used in the same sentence. Unfortunately for him, he's not here to defend himself.
I sigh, feigning disappointment. "Yep, I guess I did."
"Don't worry, you happen to live in the largest city in the whole country. There are plenty more fish to fry." She pats me on the shoulder, right as I spot our next customer walk in.
My pulse jumps.
Tall, with a gorgeous head of dirty-blond hair, all eyes gravitate to the man who, despite it being summer, wears plaid pants and a stylish long overcoat. A coat I'd recognize anywhere...
Noting my statue-like state, Mei follows the line of my gaze through the small window. With a breathless inhale, she gapes, staring just as shamelessly as I am. "Juliana... that doesn't look like a catfish to me."
EIGHT
HAYDEN
Juliana is anything but discrete.
Standing at the empty counter, I check my watch again. I'm just like any regular café customer awaiting service. Aside from the fact that, from the corner of my vision, I make out two heads peering through a little window. Do they not realize how thin that door is? I can hear every word they're saying.
It's him.
No, it's not.
Yes, it is. Look at him! Who else looks like that?
A smile twitches my lips, and when I remove my sunglasses, I earn a squeal.
Go take his order.
What? No way! Why me?!
Because he's obviously here for you.
It's just a coincidence.
Right, right.
I'm serious!
