Chapter 7: Coffee in the Rain Part 1

We sat in the café at a small round table that was made from a dark stained wood. The chairs were black iron with cute pleather cushions. A charming centerpiece of roses sat on the middle in a glass bowl on top of a round cut of wood. The sound of muted conversation and clinking glasses echoed around us, while a coffee frothing machine cut through the sound. The fresh warm scent of coffee beans and fresh baked goods wafted through the air and the nice classical music added to the atmosphere. I loved the mood lighting and the way the rain pattered on the glass windows of the café and made it feel so inviting and relaxing at the same time.

I sank into my warm cappuccino with a blissful sigh. "I really needed this."

V smiled and softly laughed, "Me too."

"So, tell me more about you growing up." I picked up my napkin and placed it in my lap before grabbing my fork to start on my side salad.

"Well, I have two amazing parents that accept me and what I do. They live an hour from here and I talk to them probably once a week or less. I'm an only child and grew up in a small town where everyone pretty much knew each other. You?" He picked up his sandwich and took a bite from it.

"My parents aren't really around. They live in another state over and don't really talk to me." I shrugged and he reached across to take my hand in his. "It's okay though. I'm used to it. I've been making it on my own."

"What made you reach out to me?" V took another bite and I sighed.

"Your mysteriousness." I felt silly admitting it, but it was true. Something about the simple poetic line drew me to him.

"My mysteriousness? You know most people would see that as a red flag, little lady." V pointed out to me, and I giggled.

"You're right, which is precisely my problem. Well one of my problems. I lack the knowledge of a red flag, I guess." I sighed and thought of all the times I had made stupid choices.

"Well, luckily I wasn't one." V laughed and I suddenly giggled.

"No, not yet anyway." I hoped that I wouldn't regret him. He seemed so amazing from the way that he carried himself and made everything fun.

"Not yet? I'm wounded, kitten." V winked at me, and I blushed at the name.

"We just met in person." I giggled and teased him, taking a bite of my own sandwich.

"True. I wouldn't expect you to trust me in a day." V grinned and grabbed his cup of coffee to take a sip of it.

"Do you have any pets?" I took up my own drink to take a sip.

"Mm! A cat named Rosco." V set his cup down and laughed, "Silly little shit."

I giggled, "What type of cat is he?"

"Grey with white paws and he has a white marking beneath his nose that looks like a mustache. He's quite dapper." V mimicked twirling a waxed mustache and I laughed.

"I don't have any pets. I'd love to meet him." I calmed down from laughing and he searched my eyes.

"I'd love for you to meet him." V nodded and we finished eating in silence.

It was nice just being in each other's company, feeling one another out and eating. Just letting our souls mix and intertwine, barely touching yet doing so at the same time. Getting to know one another and seeing how we work as a couple.

The café had emptied for the most part by the time we got ready to pay and leave. It was dark outside, and the rain had finally stopped. The sidewalks and roads were glistening with the last of the rain and it looked absolutely, charming under the low lights of the street.

He walked me back to my car and I found that I really didn't want to leave yet. I wanted to hang out with him more. I wanted to pick his brain and learn more, but I knew that our time was up. All good things must come to an end as the cliché goes. I ran my hands down my dress and buttoned my peacoat because it was brisk outside. He took my hand and leaned down to place one single kiss to my rosy cheek.

"Until we meet again." He whispered against my ear, and it was enough to make a tremble go through my body.

"Until we meet again." I whispered back and felt his warm hand slip from mine in a slow motion.