The café has been dead for the past half hour. The espresso machine sits quiet and the pastry case is fully stocked. Dawn and I are still technically working, perched on the stools behind the bar, but at this point we’re mostly just keeping an eye on the door.
Across from us, Tess and Daphne sit on the customer side of the counter, both of them sipping on coffee and enjoying our homemade brownie. They came into Baylin to catch up.
The four of us were inseparable in middle school, and whenever we meet up again, it feels like we’re exactly the same girls. Like we’re eight again and about to get in trouble for laughing too loud indoors.
“I’ll go first,” Tess says dramatically, pushing her curls back over her shoulder. Her glasses slide halfway down her nose for what has to be the fifth time since she got here. “My love life is still non-existent. Men are exhausting. That’s my update.”
Dawn nods once in agreement. “Well, same here.”
Daphne, meanwhile, is practically glowing with optimism. She leans forward, eyes bright. “Okay, but I refuse to believe we’re all doomed,” she says. “Statistically speaking, at least one of us should be meeting the love of our life soon.”
There she is. Our resident hopeless romantic.
I press my lips together slowly… already feeling Dawn’s attention sliding my way, because now it’s my turn to update the girls. They all turn toward me.
“Well…” I lower my voice and lean forward. “I’m kind of fake dating someone.”
Three jaws drop at the same time.
Dawn practically squeals. “I KNEW SOMETHING WAS GOING ON!”
“Sshhh! No one else can know.” I say, looking around to see if anyone heard us.
Daphne’s jaw is still on the floor. “Wait—what?!” She whisper-shouts.
“Wait, wait,” Tess whispers, putting her hands up. “Explaineverything.”
So I do. I explain everything in a rush, how Ryan and I struck a deal, how Jacob is very much jealous, how the town is absolutely eating it up. I keep my voice low, leaning over the counter like I’m sharing classified information. They lean in with me, eyes wide.
Dawn blinks, her brown ponytail swinging as she shakes her head. “Wait.RyanRyan?”
Tess squints. “Like… Ryan Drayton? Noah’s best friend Ryan?”
“The one who basically lived at your house?” Daphne adds.
I sigh. “Yes.ThatRyan.”
Dawn presses a hand to her chest. “Girl. I expected much from you, butthis?” She exhales dramatically. “I’m shook.”
I just roll my eyes while Tess tilts her head. “Okay, but what if you, like… actually catch feelings?”
“What? No,” I say immediately. “Of course I won’t.”
They exchange a look, and I open my mouth to argue, but the bell over the café door rings and Ryan walks in. And just like that, the entire energy behind the counter shifts. The girls catch me staring at him, because I mean, hello, timing? Does he really have to walk innow?
My eyes track him as he steps inside with a bag slung over one shoulder, brown curls still a little wind-messed up and grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips, which is basically every girl’s weakness.
“Speaking of the devil,” I mutter.
Daphne gasps. “Why didn't you tell us he got a glow up?”
I feel my face heat up. “Guys—”
“He got hot,” Dawn whispers with wide eyes.
“Like… unfairly hot,” Tess adds.
“Shh,” I hiss. “Stop. He can hear you.”
