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"Liz," Eva said flatly, not even attempting a smile. She'd always been civil to her, but she had no intention of welcoming her back.
"Hi Eva," Liz said, not meeting her eyes.
"I was hoping we could talk for a few minutes, if you have the time."
Eva slowly set down the tray of muffins in her hands, pulse racing. "Do you want a cup of coffee?"
"Yes, please," Liz replied gratefully.
Eva got her the cup, a little sweet from a splash of maple syrup with oat milk. She hoped someday soon she wouldn't remember her ex's coffee order so easily. "We can talk over here," Eva said, leading Liz over to a small table near the door.
Liz followed her over, looking nervous. "Thanks for the coffee. I really appreciate it."
"I can only spare a few minutes," Eva said curtly.
"Of course, of course," Liz assured her. "I won't take up too much of your time."
"Alright Liz," she said as evenly as she could manage. "What did you want to talk about?"
Liz sat down hesitantly across from Eva. "First, I just want to say I'm so sorry for ambushing you at work. I know me being here is probably really uncomfortable."
Eva remained silent, arms crossed. She refused to make this easy on her ex who had caused so much pain.
Liz took a shaky breath. "The truth is...I came here to properly apologize to you, Eva. What I did was absolutely inexcusable."
That caught Eva off guard. She had expected more excuses or accusations. Instead, Liz plowed ahead.
"I should have talked to you. I shouldn't have cheated on you. And I'm so, so sorry that I did. I didn't even tell you the full story. It was more than one woman. And I'm so embarrassed and ashamed that I did that."
"Liz, what do you want me to say? I accept your apology? We'll get back together?" Eva snapped, trying to keep her composure. "Because that's not going to happen."
"Of course not," Liz said.
"I know I can never undo the damage and hurt from my lies and betrayal. But I need you to know I fully take responsibility for my horrible choices. You did nothing to deserve that."
Liz's voice cracked slightly with emotion. "I'm just so deeply sorry, Eva. And so thankful that it seems you've found real happiness now. This cafe, Michael--"
"The woman I'm seeing," Eva added on for her, letting her clearly know that she was moving on. She sat very still, arms still crossed as she processed Liz's unexpected apology. The sincere remorse in her voice had caught Eva off guard.
"I appreciate you saying all of that," Eva finally replied slowly. "It doesn't erase the pain you caused, but it means a lot that you fully owned your actions."
Liz nodded, looking down at her hands. "I know nothing can undo the damage. I just hope someday you can forgive me, even if it takes time. I've done a lot of reflecting, and I know now that I was completely in the wrong with how I acted. The cheating, the lies - those were because of my own issues, not anything you did. The breakup was necessary, but only because I made such poor choices and destroyed our trust. You deserved so much better all along."
Liz was right, she did. And now she saw that. "I may forgive you, in time, but I don't want to make amends. I don't want you back, even as a friend."
"I understand," Liz said quietly. "And that's totally fair. I have no right to be in your life, after what I did. And I hope that, despite the fact that we didn't work as a couple, you find a great love. You deserve nothing less."
"Thank you, Liz," Eva said softly. Her anger had abated, replaced with a quiet calm.
"I'll let you get back to work now," Liz said.
Eva stood. Liz gave her an awkward hug, which Eva allowed, as the last one they'd ever share. As soon as Liz was gone Eva went into the back and sat down well away from where any customers could see her.
Michael emerged from the kitchen. "Hey, I thought I heard voices-" He halted when he saw Eva's expression. "Eva, what's wrong?"
"Liz was just here," Eva managed to squeak out. "She came to apologize for everything. I don't know how to feel."
"Oh my God. I'm so sorry." Michael hurried over and sat down beside her, taking her hand in his.
