Page 3 of Chase Our Forever

I anxiously chew on my lips as I look at the bright pink board behind her. I have no idea the difference between a latte and a macchiato. I’ve drunk coffee since I was fifteen, but it was only because I needed to find a way to be able to handle going to school full-time and working until ten each night. Besides, the only option for coffee I had was instant coffee that tasted disgusting but got the job done.

“Ummm…surprise me?” A nervous laugh escapes me. I must look like such a mess to her. If only she knew just how much of a mess Iactuallywas.

Luckily, Lexi doesn’t seem thrown off by my lack of a go-to coffee order. If anything, she looks excited at the idea of surprising me. “I love surprises. Just tell me if you’d rather have hot or iced?”

I think about it for a moment. “Let’s do hot.”

“Is all of this for here or to go?”

“For here. Is it okay if I stay awhile?”

“Please do. Pippa should be in soon, and youhaveto meet her.”

I give her a small nod and try not to flinch when Lexi tells me the price of my food and coffee. The total is close to what I used to spend on groceries for myself for the week, but I try not to dwell on it. Soon, I’ll find where I want to start building a new life for myself, and I’ll get a job. I’ve spent ages saving money to get by on my trip. This one little splurge isn’t going to clear everything I’ve saved up, but my heart does race a little when I open my wallet and hand over the cash.

“You’re all set. If you want to go find a spot to sit, I’ll get you your food and coffee as soon as they’re ready.”

I give her a smile, tucking some of the extra bills she gave me into the tip jar before turning to look at the cafe. It’s one of the most warm and inviting places I’ve ever been to. Everywhere you look, you see pink, but in a cute kind of way that makes you feel cheerful. The only other colors in the space are from the opposite side of the business where the art’s on display.

There’s a booth tucked into the corner of the space that catches my eye, and I walk over to it. It’s the perfect spot for me to enjoy my food and coffee because it gives me a view of the entire cafe. I have no phone and only a book I found in a Little Free Library at one of my stops. It’s a fantasy romance with tattered pages and a faded cover. The title is barely legible at this point, but it doesn’t matter. I’m having the best time sneaking in more reading time any spare moment I can.

Sliding into the seat, I set my old and worn bag next to me and take a deep breath. My eyes scan the small little cafe as a realization settles over me.

I’ve been on the road for a few days now, and I’ve only wanted to stop long enough to eat or sleep. Nothing called to me that made me feel the urge to stay any longer than needed. But something about this town is different. I can’t put my finger onwhat it is, but all I know is I think I might want to stay here longer than a few hours.

2

LIV

I’m lostin between the pages of my book when a flash of red catches my attention. I look up, finding Lexi taking a seat in the booth across from me.

She wears a wide smile as she slides another coffee across the table in my direction. This is my third coffee of the day—well, it’s probably about afternoon now—and each mug she’s given me has been different. They look like they’ve been thrifted, which makes me love this little coffee shop and cafe even more. The one she’s slid in front of me now has pink flowers all over it, and it even comes with a matching plate.

“I’m on my break,” she explains. “Can I sit with you for a minute?” She lifts her mug to her lips, blowing on the steaming liquid before taking a hesitant sip. Her mug is a pale yellow. The color is so light it almost looks white.

I nod, excited to have some company. Although, not once have I felt lonely since I walked through the doors. Everyone has been so welcoming despite no one here knowing who I am. I don’t know if I just scream that I’m a lost soul or if this town is really truly so small they all can spot a wayward traveler easily, but either way, many of them have smiled in my direction or struck up small conversations.

“I told Pippa—my boss—that if she gets a chance, she should come over and meet you. I thought she could when she first came in, but there was something else she had to attend to in the back before mingling. You two need to meet, though. Since you were a huge fan of the pumpkin cinnamon roll and all.”

My eyelids flutter closed for a moment, thinking about that cinnamon roll. It might be the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth. I’m already wondering if I should just buy another one to be able to experience the delicacy again. If I wasn’t so full, I’d already have a second one in front of me.

“It was truly delicious. I’m going to be dreaming about that cinnamon roll for months.”

Lexi laughs. “I could eat five a day. They’re justthatgood.” She reaches across the table and pats the book in front of me. “How’s your book? You’ve been buried in it since you came in.”

I shrug. “I’ve always liked escaping to other worlds, and the book is good. It’s been really peaceful to sit here and read it.”

Lexi takes a sip of her coffee, her eyes trained on me. Typically, I don’t go out of my way to speak to strangers. Back home, talking with unfamiliar people led to nothing but trouble. I have to remind myself that not everyone is as terrible as I imagine them to be, and with this fresh start, I need to be more open to getting to know people. After all, even the best of friends or the most intimate of lovers start out as strangers. “Where are you headed to?” Lexi asks, setting her coffee back down.

I lean back in the booth, unsure how to answer the question. I decide to go for the truth, too tired to come up with a lie. “I don’t know.”

Her head tilts. “Like you don’t remember, or you just don’t know?”

“I just don’t know,” I answer honestly. “I just left home for the first time in my life. It was needed, and I’m enjoying thefreedom of just not beingthere. As far as my final destination, I’m not sure where that’ll be yet.”

Lexi opens her mouth to respond, but her eyes go wide before she can get her words out. “Is that my Clara?” she asks enthusiastically, her eyes trained on the door. She slides out of the booth in an instant, closing the distance to the front door and scooping up a little girl with lopsided pigtails.

The little girl screeches, her arms closing around Lexi’s neck. “Lexi!” she screams excitedly.

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