Realistic or Modern When the Past Bites (Kex x Lost Echo)

[Kekse]

Aiden sat quietly while Lynn applied her makeup, still not entirely awake after a night of sleeping on a decidedly too small and worn out couch. For about the millionth time he wished that caffeine worked on him. However, he had little time to think about it before the owner of the apartment returned to the living room. She looks just as beautiful as ever, he thought. It took a conscious fight to keep his mouth from falling open.

"Oh, uh. If you just want coffee, we can go to the cafe down the street? They have pretty good pastries, and as far as I know they can make coffee that straight up doesn't even taste like coffee. Aka the only way to drink it, if I had to." He stood up and straightened his shirt, then followed Lynn outside and into the elevator. His head swung from side to side while his eyes scanned the entire floor. Thankfully he didn't see Natalie anywhere and made it into the car safely.

Once his seat belt was secured, Aiden pointed to the right. "Just turn that way out of the parking garage, and it will be two blocks down on the right. It's not very big, but if the three spots out front are full, there is a shared lot behind the complex."

Now that he was away from Natalie, Aiden began to relax. He could feel the tightness cascading down his muscles to pool in his shoes and dissipate in the running board of the car beneath his feet. "Thanks again, Lynn. I don't know how I'd deal with my ex reappearing on my own. It's easier to be no-nonsense with you being on my side. That's not something I had before. Just watch: as soon as she gets all the drugs the doctor gave her out of her system, she'll go back to her manipulative self. Don't believe a word she says..."

He glanced down at his shoes and let out a sigh. Those blue eyes remained downcast until the car came to a stop in one of the miraculously open spaces in front of the cafe. It was a little thing indeed, easily missed if one wasn't specifically looking for it. A single window next to the faded red door read Elevate Cafe in a fancy script above an abstract coffee cup. Aiden slipped out of the car and hurried to Lynn's door to open it for her. He ensured she made it out safely and followed her through the door into the shop.

Inside it smelled of roasting coffee beans, fresh bread, and cinnamon. Aiden took a deep breath through his nose and sat in a chair in the corner where the pair would be mostly out of sight. The barista smiled and waved while filling a cup with lightly steaming coffee. "Let me know when you two are ready to order, yeah? The special today is a white chocolate lavender latte paired with a vanilla custard bun."

"Could I get that made with white cocoa instead of coffee?" Aiden asked. The barista nodded and a smile crinkled the corner of his eyes. "I'll try that, then. Can't say I've had flower-flavored cocoa before, but there's a first time for everything!"

In the familiar shop, it felt like the worries of the outside melted away to a puddle at the door. Aiden's shoulders were straighter and his smile was brighter. He settled back in his chair and fidgeted with the cuff of his jeans while his foot bounced lightly on his knee. "Put whatever she orders on my order, okay?"

 

[Lost Echo]

“If you’ve managed to enjoy a cup, then I simply must try it.” She teased automatically. Then bit her lip, unsure how it’d be taken. How did she act around him? Did he want her to be just a new neighbor? Or could she act naturally? Were words okay? She’d already promised herself not to touch him when he didn’t want it. That sounded horrible. Of course she wouldn’t touch him when he didn’t want it. She just knew now that he didn’t! She started the car, her own seat belt buckled, and pulled out in silence.

She didn’t realize it was his tension she was feeling. It just eased out of her as she drove, unknowingly relaxing as he did. Her smile was easy as when he spoke, her eyes soft for the few seconds she glanced at him. “I’ll stay at your side.” She promised. “Don’t worry, I know you. She won’t be able to turn me against you.”

‘Even when you dumped me I still love you. If breaking my heart didn’t change how I feel, she couldn’t.’ Lynn thought as she turned into the parking spot. “Thank you parking fairy.” She murmured under her breath. She’d always had the best luck when it came to parking. Even in crowded situations, she’d often find someone pulling out in a prime spot. In high school, she’d be expected to drive everywhere so her friends could take advantage. Except for Aiden. The gentleman always wanted to take her places instead.

She took a moment to study the front of the shop. It wasn’t run down, but neither was it flashy. It obviously survived on regulars, not attracting new customers. That usually was a good sign. Not that she didn’t trust Aiden’s recommendation. It was just the PR side of her. It never shut off.

She startled as her door open, but relaxed into a smile. ‘I can’t believe he still does that’ She took his offered hand, climbing out gracefully with his help. It made her feel young again: pretty like before.

She waited as he shut her car door, locking it before following him inside. It smelled heavenly. Even as a child, she’d loved the smell of coffee. Her parents would put on a pot every morning. In college she’d bought a coffee maker just to feel less homesick. Though that went by the wayside with everything else when Becca broke.

Thankfully the barista interrupted her thoughts. She gave Aiden a look, when he offered to pay, but did not comment. She’d just follow the basic rule: she’d get something of equal or lesser value. Not wanting to bother with a menu, she took the special as well, asking for extra cream. She smiled as she gave her thanks.

As the girl went to work, Lynn focused on Aiden. He looked better. More comfortable in his skin. Was he a regular here? It was certainly within walking distance. “Do you come here often?”