Love and latte

Lucy hesitated for a moment before slowly stretching out her hand. Jonathan grabbed it firmly and pulled her up with surprising ease. His grip was warm and strong, and for some reason, Lucy suddenly became aware of how large his hands were compared to hers.

She quickly looked away.

At first, she assumed he was taking her to the school cafeteria, but instead, he kept walking past the crowded hallways and straight toward the college gate.

Lucy frowned slightly. “Where are we going?”

Jonathan glanced at her briefly but kept walking. “Somewhere quieter. Somewhere we don’t have to deal with fake smiles, fake people, and coffee that costs more than actual food.”

Lucy couldn’t help the tiny smile that escaped her lips.

The further they walked from campus, the lighter she strangely felt. The loud noise of students slowly faded behind them, replaced by the sound of passing cars and the cool evening breeze brushing against her skin.

After a few minutes, Jonathan stopped in front of a small coffee shop tucked between two old buildings.

Lucy looked up at the wooden sign hanging above the door.

LOVE AND LATTE.

The place looked old and cozy, nothing like the expensive cafés Adrian usually took her to. The windows were fogged slightly from the warmth inside, and soft music played faintly through the open door.

Jonathan pushed the door open for her.

The smell hit Lucy instantly—fresh coffee, baked bread, cinnamon, and old wood. It felt comforting somehow.

She looked around curiously as they entered. The café wasn’t crowded. A few students sat in corners quietly studying while an elderly couple shared a slice of cake near the window.

“You’ve never been here before?” Jonathan asked after noticing the way she looked around.

Lucy shook her head. “I didn’t even know this place existed.”

“That’s because people like you and your friends only go to places where the coffee is overpriced and everyone’s pretending to be important.”

Lucy laughed softly before she could stop herself.

Jonathan walked up to the counter and ordered two medium coffees without even asking what she wanted. Somehow, that annoyed her and amused her at the same time.

“You didn’t even ask what I wanted,” she said as they sat down at a small table near the back.

Jonathan shrugged casually. “You look like someone who drinks cappuccino.”

Lucy blinked. “What does that even mean?”

“It means you look emotionally attached to soft things.”

Lucy rolled her eyes, but another smile escaped her anyway.

Jonathan dropped his bag onto the empty chair beside him and pulled out a sketchbook and pencil. Without saying anything else, he started drawing.

Lucy wrapped both hands around the warm coffee cup.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then she finally asked quietly, “You’re not going to ask why I was crying?”

“Okay,” Jonathan said casually without looking up from the sketchbook. “Why were you crying over a guy who treats you like crap?”

Lucy immediately stiffened.

Jonathan continued sketching calmly.

“Oh wait,” he added. “I already know why. Because you think if you love him hard enough, eventually he’ll change.”

Lucy looked down at her coffee. “That’s not true,” she muttered softly.

Jonathan raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet.

Lucy sighed. “Adrian is just… under pressure right now. His father’s business is stressful and—”

“Stop defending him.” This time Jonathan finally looked up at her.

His eyes were intense, serious enough to make Lucy lose her words for a second.

“Lucy,” he said calmly, “people show you who they are. You just keep trying to rewrite the story because you don’t like the ending.”

Lucy swallowed hard. No one had ever spoken to her that directly before. Especially not about Adrian.

The strange thing was… part of her knew he was right.

Jonathan leaned back slightly. “Let’s talk about something less depressing.”

Lucy let out a small breath. “Like what?”

He tapped his pencil lightly against the table. “If you weren’t tied to Adrian… if you didn’t have to marry him because of your family’s business… what would you actually want?”

The question caught her off guard. Lucy froze. She had spent so many years planning her life around Adrian that she had never really stopped to think about herself.

What did she want?

She stared quietly at the table for a moment before answering.

“I think…” she started slowly. “I’d travel.”

Jonathan nodded for her to continue.

“I’d visit different countries. Maybe live somewhere peaceful for a while. And…” She smiled shyly. “I’d write stories.”

“What kind of stories?”

Lucy looked embarrassed suddenly. “Romance.”

Jonathan smirked lightly. “Of course.”

“What’s wrong with romance?” Lucy asked defensively.

“Nothing,” he replied. “It explains why you keep seeing red flags and calling them love letters.”

Lucy gasped in fake offense and threw a napkin at him.

Jonathan laughed quietly.

It was the first time Lucy realized how nice his laugh sounded.

For the next few hours, Lucy forgot about everything else.

She forgot about Adrian. She forgot about school. She even forgot about the heavy feeling that had followed her around all day.

Jonathan had a strange way of making conversations feel easy. He asked questions no one had ever asked her before. Not because he was trying to impress her, but because he genuinely listened.

They argued over books and movies.

Jonathan teased her endlessly for loving emotional endings. Lucy argued that sad endings were beautiful. Jonathan claimed they were emotional manipulation.

Every time Lucy made a good point, Jonathan rewarded her with a nod or one of those small rare smiles that made his entire face soften.

It did something dangerous to her stomach.

“You’re not what I expected,” Lucy admitted quietly as evening slowly settled outside the café windows.

Jonathan closed his sketchbook. “People usually say that after meeting me.”

Lucy tilted her head slightly. “Who are you really?”

Jonathan held her gaze for a second too long before looking away.

“Just a guy trying to survive college.”

For some reason, Lucy felt like that wasn’t the truth.

Jonathan stood up and slung his bag over his shoulder. “Come on. I need to get to work soon.”

“You work after classes too?”

“Scholarship students don’t magically pay bills, Princess.”

Lucy frowned slightly. “You keep calling yourself poor like it’s funny.”

“It is funny.”

“No it’s not.”

Jonathan looked at her for a moment before giving her a small smile.

“I’ll walk you back.”

The walk back to campus felt strangely shorter than before. Lucy noticed herself smiling at random things he said. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this relaxed around someone.

Halfway back, she checked her phone. Still nothing from Adrian.

No missed calls, no texts, no apology.

The old Lucy would’ve spent the entire evening crying over it. But somehow… she didn’t want to ruin this feeling.

When they finally reached the school gate, Jonathan shoved his hands into his pockets. “I guess this is where we dramatically part ways.”

Lucy laughed softly. “Thanks,” she said sincerely. “For today.”

Jonathan studied her face for a second. “You smiled more today than you probably have in months,” he said quietly.

Lucy’s chest tightened unexpectedly.

Before she could reply, Jonathan stepped back slightly.

“Go before your future husband sends a search party.”

Lucy rolled her eyes.

But as she walked away, she couldn’t stop smiling.

And she hated that.

—

By the time Lucy reached her dorm room, Zoe was already there waiting for her.

Zoe immediately sat up the moment Lucy entered. “Oh my God, Lucy! Where have you been?” Zoe rushed over dramatically and hugged her tightly. “I was starting to think you got kidnapped.”

Lucy laughed tiredly. “I’m fine.”

Zoe pulled back quickly and examined her face carefully. “I heard about what happened with Adrian after class,” Zoe said angrily. “People were talking about it everywhere. Honestly, he sounded like a complete jerk.”

Lucy slowly sat on her bed and removed her shoes. “He told me our engagement is basically just business now,” she admitted quietly. “He said he doesn’t feel anything anymore.”

Zoe’s face twisted with anger immediately “That idiot.”

Lucy looked down silently.

“How could he even say that to you?” Zoe continued. “You literally worship that man.”

Lucy gave a weak laugh. “Apparently that’s my problem.”

Zoe sat beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“He’s probably scared of commitment,” Zoe said softly. “Guys like Adrian always panic when things start getting serious.”

Lucy nodded slowly even though deep down, she wasn’t sure she believed that anymore.

“I’ll keep an eye on him for you,” Zoe added quickly. “If he’s doing anything stupid, I’ll find out.”

Lucy leaned her head against Zoe’s shoulder thankfully.

“Thank you, Zoe,” she whispered. “I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you.”

A strange look flashed briefly across Zoe’s face before disappearing.

“Always, Lucy,” Zoe said softly while glancing down at her buzzing phone. “Friends like us? We’re forever.”

Lucy smiled weakly and finally lay down on her bed.

For the first time all day, she felt emotionally exhausted.

Within minutes, sleep slowly pulled her under.

Completely unaware that beside her, Zoe unlocked her phone and stared at the newest text message lighting up her screen.

Adrian: I’m at the hotel bar. Hurry up.