Good morning, lights of my life ✨

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'Oh, God, what happened?' Pippa asks.

'So, obviously we knew that things weren't going great with Caven...'

She nods and hands the coffee to her grandmother. She wipes her hands on her apron and turns back to me.

'Yeah, he's turning out to be a bigger prick than a cactus.'

My eyebrows draw together. 'Cactus? Right, well, you're gonna hate him even more now. I get to his early and see this girl coming out of his house-'

'What? Don't tell me it was his sister or some shit like that.'

'Oh, no, definitely not his sister. We bumped into her on our date last night. She used to work as at Jack's with him. Anyway, she comes out in last night's clothes, they kiss and she leaves.'

Pippa's mouth drops open. 'Shut the front door.'

'I know. What the fuck? We're not exclusive or anything, but I think it's muggy.'

'It's super fucking muggy. And it's muggy on that girl, too, unless she knows it's a one-time thing. Jesus.' Pippa puts her hands on her hips and shakes her head. 'Is one woman not enough for him?'

'That's what I thought! Greedy, much.'

'Excuse me, miss? I'm sure your love life is really interesting for you girls and all, but I'd really like a coffee before my break ends at work.'

My face turns hot with embarrassment and I turn away from the bloke behind the counter. Pippa hurriedly apologises and takes his order. I spot her grandmother busy with putting cake slices into a bag for a customer.

We get back to work. Pippa and I don't get to talk properly again until my lunch break. I eat my sandwich behind the counter, talking with her about Caven.

'I haven't even checked my phone,' I tell her. 'He's probably tried to contact me but I can't be arsed with it.'

'Oh, my God, let me know what he says! I want to know what his excuse is when you call him out.'

'I won't properly call him out, cause you know, we are no way near being exclusive or whatever. But, what I will tell him, is that I'm glad to know where I stand and what kind of person he is.'

'Not the kind we want to date.'

'Amen, Pips.'

'What a spoon,' she mutters under her breath.

At the end of the day, after Pippa and I have closed up, we both agree to walk to Giuseppe's for an Italian coffee. Pippa texts Christie and Gilly to meet us.

Once again, we're planning to eat out, meaning I don't have to cook. This is going great, so far. It's not so good for my bank account though, but thanks to my inheritance, it can take a small hit.

My mum would want me out, socialising with friends. I know it would make her happy to see me doing all these things rather than sitting in by myself.

Once we're at the table, I finally check my phone. Pippa waits anxiously, leaning across the table, to hear me read his texts aloud.

'Okay, so I have two missed calls,' I tell her. 'And five texts.'

I read her the text that I sent first. Then, I read Caven's replies.

'What do I reply to those?' I ask her.

She chews on her nail and thinks about it.

'Just say that you saw the girl leaving, you're not into him anymore, end of.'

'Okay.'

'Is that too blunt?'

'Hell, no, girl. Let's be honest, you're amazing, but the guy isn't going to be crying about this. He obviously can't appreciate a good thing when it's right in front of his fucking face.'

'Has the Caven-bashing started already?'

Pippa and I both look up to see Christie grinning next to us. Gilly is following close behind.

'Sit down, girls, and Lils will spill the tea.'

Two hours later, we've eaten an early dinner and slagged off every guy we've ever dated, pretty much.

As I walk home alone, I think over the Caven situation. I just want it to be left now, I hope he doesn't reply to my text and moves on fast.

My ex cheated on me. I need whoever I am with next to be 100% invested in me and our relationship. I'm not here for part-timers.

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Pippa and I open the café at half seven on Sunday.

A few customers come in and Pippa handles them. I focus on making the cake and pastry display look wonderful.

The author, Zane Torres, comes in around 9AM. Pippa shoots me a wink and suddenly makes herself scarce.

There are no other customers, it's only me and him now that Pippa has conveniently popped into the staff break room.

'Morning,' I greet him breezily.

He smiles back at me. 'Good morning. Can I have a latte and a slice of carrot cake, please?'

He's not ordering his usual croissant.

I grin at him. 'Ooh, we're changing it up this morning,' I tease him as I get out a plate and a cup. 'Any particular reason for the treat today?'

Zane shrugs and puts his hands in his hoodie pocket.

'Not really, just fancied treating myself.'

'We all need that once in a while. Although, I'll confess that I treat myself more often than I probably should.'

Shut up, Lily, he doesn't care.

'That will be £5, please.'

'We all deserve treating,' he says and pays with his card. 'I'm Zane, by the way. I'm sorry that I didn't introduce myself properly the other day.'

'No problem.' I grin. 'I'm Lily, but I already told you that.'

His lips twitch with an amused smile. 'Yes, you did. Thank you, Lily.'

He turns and walks over to his table before I can make a bigger fool of myself. Pippa comes back out as I'm finishing up his order.

I take it over to Zane whilst she serves the next customer that has just walked in. I set his things down on the table. I hesitate and put my hand on my hip.

'Writing anything interesting?' I ask him, gesturing to his open laptop.

Zane looks up at me, momentarily dazing me with those big green eyes of his.

'I'm starting a new book. Well, trying to. It's not as easy as it was the first few times.'

'Why do you think that is?'

The question is out of my mouth before I've really thought about it. It might be a personal question, and he probably wants to get on with writing, not talk to the damn barista.

He seems as surprised as me that the question has fallen from my lips. He thinks about it for a moment.

'I guess, when I first started, it was a distraction. My life has gotten easier since then, and I don't need to escape as much.'

'Do you not write because you love it?'

At this rate, I should pull up a chair.

He snorts at my question and shakes his head.

'I think most authors have a love-hate relationship with their craft. I never knew what they meant at first, but now, I get it. I do love it, don't get me wrong, but it's not easy. Anyway, don't worry about me, something will come to me eventually. I don't want to keep you from your work.'

'Sorry for all the questions,' I respond. 'Good luck.'

I get back behind the counter and leave him to it. Unable to stop myself, I watch him type away on his laptop.

I really need to read one of his books. I'm curious about this handsome author and I bet the best way to learn about him, without actually talking to him, will be by reading his books.

Pippa has served the customer and now, Zane is the only customer in the shop. Whilst Pippa wipes down the counter, I surreptitiously pull out my phone. I search Zane's name and bring up his books.

I screenshot the list to remind me to buy one later.

I don't know what it is about Zane Torres that has me so interested. Maybe the fact that he's an author? I've never met a proper, published author before.

Maybe the fact that he's so handsome? I can't remember the last time I had a guy's eyes drag me in so deep.

Or, maybe, it's the fact that he is probably the one person in town who can relate to the loss I have experienced.

Even now, it sucks to hear the girls talk about their parents and their families. Loss is so prominent in the lives of those it affects, and so much like a stranger to those who haven't experienced it.

The door bell tinkles and I pocket my phone. My head snaps up to see who it is and my heart sinks.

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Everyone say his name in 3...2...1...