Page 4 of Fall Twice

She’s married now and with a kid. Everything she always wanted. Sure, over the years we would wish one another well. To my surprise, too, considering how things ended between us—a parting of ways as two people who had relied on one another during that final grueling year of college. And now here we are as full-fledged adults.

I place my computer in the bag since I know she will be here any second. I arrived early to grade assignments, plus this place is my establishment. I frequent this cafe several times a week.

The sound of the door opening causes me to look up, and for the life of me I can’t figure out why the next few seconds feel like I’m watching a scene in slow motion, a moment in my life that I will never forget.

She looks exactly the fucking same. Her hair is long and in waves, partly curled, and her eyes, hazel, that I’m sure still change depending on the light. To my astonishment, she’s wearing skinny jeans and a deep green turtleneck. Lena always wore dresses and skirts in college, but this look suits her too.

Her eyes flick up and land on me, with her lashes fluttering, the line of her mouth stretched just enough, and her fingers tipped with pale red nails tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

I stand to greet her, and I’m stunned that I can function. Half of my brain feels excited, and the other half warns me this will taunt me about a life I didn’t choose.

Lena slows down as she approaches me; a nervous smile plays on her soft pink lips. “Hey, have we met?” She pretends to squint her eyes in confusion.

It causes me to grin. “Unfortunately, we have.”

Hug or no hug? This is kind of awkward. I follow her cues, but she is as neutral as the color gray. I hold my arm out to offer a side hug, and we keep it short and loose.

The touch is enough to short-circuit something inside of me, but I choose to ignore it.

After we both land on the comfy lounge chairs, we stare at one another, both in disbelief that we are in front of the real-life versions of one another.

“Lena Gold, it’s good to see you,” I tell her sincerely.

Her soft smile hasn’t faded. “Yeah, kind of unexpected but good nonetheless.”

A barista arrives to take our order. Normally, you need to order at the counter, but they know me here.

“Pumpkin spiced latte?” I suggest to Lena, and my hand comes up like I have a good idea.

Her look turns to concern. “Do you drink pumpkin spiced lattes?” She almost seems petrified.

My face turns puzzled. “Of course not.” Relief floods her face. “I go for the gingerbread coffee.”

Now her eyes go slightly wide, and her mouth parts open, with no words coming out. She shakes her head gently as if she is speaking internally. “Uh, pumpkin spiced latte sounds good.”

The barista smiles in response before she leaves.

Sinking back into the chair, I cross my arms and look at Lena. Damn, she hasn’t changed except her hair is lighter and maybe she’s a little older around the eyes. “When did you start drinking coffee?”

She laughs as she places her sweater to the side. “When I became a mom.”

“Yeah, I hear that a lot from colleagues and my sister.”

“It isn’t a myth, I assure you.”

I hold my hands up. “Don’t worry, I don’t need to be convinced. And what brings you to Hollows?”

She stalls for a second then awkwardly smiles. “Work. I have a new job at Ives & Wells in Chicago, the marketing firm. I’ll be working from home mostly.”

“That’s cool.”

Her eyes seem to be assessing me, from head to toe, actually. “You really are going for the professor look, huh?”

I glance down at myself and see my usual dress shoes, jeans, button-down shirt, and blazer. “This was always my style,” I defend.

She tilts her head to the side. “The stubble is a bit more.”

The barista arrives with our drinks, and we thank her. Lena and I both take hold of our mugs of coffee.

---