Liana told herself it didn't matter if he came or not.
She repeated it the whole morning.
It didn't work.
She arrived earlier than usual, just like before. The café was quiet, the air still cool, the sunlight slowly coming through the window.
Everything looked the same.
But it didn't feel the same.
She kept glancing at the door while preparing the machine. Every time the bell rang, her chest reacted before her mind could catch up.
Not him.
A delivery guy.
A regular customer.
Two students.
Not him.
By nine, she stopped looking.
By ten, she started again.
Mia noticed.
"You're waiting for someone?" she asked, casually wiping a table.
"No," Liana said too quickly.
Mia raised an eyebrow but didn't push.
The morning passed slower than usual. Every small task felt longer. Every minute felt noticeable.
By eleven, she finally accepted it.
He wasn't coming.
She hated how that thought settled in her chest.
He told you, she reminded herself. He doesn't stay.
She focused on work. Took orders. Cleaned tables. Avoided thinking.
It almost worked.
Until the bell rang again.
Her head lifted automatically.
Still not him.
Just another customer.
She looked away faster this time.
By noon, her shift ended.
She removed her apron and hung it behind the counter. Mia was talking about something, but Liana barely heard it.
"I'm heading out," she said.
"Okay. See you tomorrow."
Tomorrow.
The word felt heavier now.
Instead of going straight home, Liana walked to the back of the café. To the small bench where they sat a few days ago.
It was empty.
Of course it was.
She sat down anyway.
The place was quiet, just like before. The same plants. The same worn-out wood. The same stillness.
But now, it felt different.
She stared at nothing in particular, her hands resting on her lap.
It was strange.
How someone you barely knew could change the way a place felt.
She let out a small breath.
"Maybe that's it," she whispered to herself.
Maybe that was all it was.
A few mornings. A few conversations. Nothing more.
Something temporary.
Something she should've expected.
She stood up, brushing her hands lightly on her jeans.
As she turned to leave, something caught her attention.
A folded piece of paper on the bench.
Her steps slowed.
She picked it up.
It was from a notebook.
Her fingers tightened slightly as she opened it.
"Had to leave early today. Not my choice.
I'll explain.
Same time tomorrow?"
She stared at the words longer than necessary.
Then she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
A small smile formed on her lips.
"Tomorrow," she said quietly.
And somehow, that was enough.