Page 50 of Sorry, We're Closed

I open the editing menu and change his name, so it displays Avory <3, and I send a message his way.

Sawyer:Thinking about you and how if you had never walked into Sombre's Café on that specific day and specific time, maybe we wouldn't be here. I'm grateful for you, Avory <3.

And I speak the truth, or at least a very simplified version of it. I am grateful for him, for a list of reasons which extends every time I see him. To add to that list, how quickly he responds, because it stops my overthinking, anxiety fuelled mind from regretting whatever I do in the moment.

Avory:For every inch of your being, inside and out, I am grateful for <3.

My eyes well as I read his message over and over again, and after the fifth read, my sleeve has darkened since I used it to wipe away my downpour. No one has ever spoken about me in this way, and the buzzing sensation that tingles across my skin and causes all my brunette hairs to stand, is overwhelming in the best possible way. Avory sends me to cloud nine and above, and everything that tethers me to this earth is left behind and forgotten in half a heartbeat. When it's just us, everything becomes part of our world, and I dread the minutes until reality slaps me across the face once more. It reminds me that Avory will have to leave one day, whatever we have will have to face the challenge of distance, and that I am growing tired of leaving our world over and over.

Before my thumbs can somewhat organise my thoughts into a message, Avory's name pops up once again.

Avory:I'll see you tomorrow, beautiful.

Avory:And yes, you are beautiful. A beautiful man with a beautiful soul.

He thinks I'm beautiful?

Oh no, I'm definitely falling.

“I hope you enjoy, have a great day! Yes, you too!” I call out to what I hope to be my last customer of the day as they exit the café.

I have spent the last hour of our opening hours trying to clean and close whatever I can before Avory shows up,ifhe shows up. No matter what reassurance he gives me and even with the trust I have in him, I struggle to believe that what we have going on isn't too good to be true. Especially for someone like me.

The clock hands which I eye up throughout the day finally reads the desired closing time, and I couldn’t lock the front door quick enough. I admire the café all around as I realise how much of the cleaning I have already completed, particularly the parts which Avory focuses on, leaving only the machinery.

I begin to ponder whether a coffee is in my near future before I relinquish the machines of their power for the evening, but a knocking interrupts my stare off with my own reflection in the silver surfaces.

“Sorry, we're—Never mind…” I trail off as I remember whose knocking.

My cheeks are already burning, and a smile is already growing with each step I take. I push on the fire exit door and there he is – Avory’s smile practically glows against his pale skin as he slides his way into the staff room. I release the door from my grip and instinctively, my arms wrap around his neck and rest around the comforting, thick fabric of his hoodie. His hands smooth against my waist and sit on the small of my back, sending pleasant shivers up my spine. For a moment, his forehead presses against mine as our smiles smother any of our other facial features, but soon after, Avory's lips crash into mine, and I fully sink into him, all of him.

I move as close as I can get to Avory, my chest pressing against his as his hands travel up and down my back. If I could freeze time, I'd freeze it now and never press play. This is us, the best way to sum us up. Not in words, not in actions, but in the warming comfort which we create together, the safe haven which we continue to reign over together.

He pulls away and a gentle laugh leaves his lips, his forehead resting on mine once again. I can't help but laugh along with him because none of this feels real. I’m waiting for the cameras to roll out, for a crew to stop filming some random prank show, targeting vulnerable queer baristas by handing them the most gorgeous guitarist on a platter. I’m waiting to suddenly wake up and to find out I've been kissing my pillow this whole time.

“I missed you, Sawyer.”

“I missed you too, Avory.”

My hands trail from around his neck and down his chest, which may be becoming a favourite place of mine, and continue down to his hands where our fingers interlock. Saying “I miss you” to Avory feels insane since I saw him yesterday, but I did. I miss every single thing about him when he’s not around and it somehow feels reciprocated.

I pull him along and into the café where his eyes dart around the sparkling tables and chairs with their table mats and trinkets lined up and ready for the next day.

“Sawyer, have you cleaned already? I wore my moving day cargos today. I was so ready to get down and dirty!”

Avory slides his bottom lip forward and pretends to seem upset. He can't hold it for long since his lips curl up and soft laughter escapes from his innuendo. Everything he does, even these silly moments, are unbelievably gorgeous and I find myself entranced by him.

“Yes, I did, and I'm longing for a coffee! Would you like one?”

I release my grip from his hands and strut around the counter, and for a second, we're stood in a familiar setting. Me behind the counter, and Avory standing on the other side, glancing between the menu, my cake selection and me. My mind darts back to the first time I saw Avory, and I can't help but hide my smile from him.

I duck behind the counter, finding two mugs as Avory brings himself to my side of the counter, and bites his lip. His eyes dart between the two mugs and my eyes and suddenly it hits me. I slide one of the mugs back into storage and grab a tall glass with the ridiculously small handles, and Avory's smile turns wide.

“You remembered.”

Avory only drinks iced coffee. I roll my eyes at him as I begin to set up to make our drinks. As I grind the mahogany beans each with their own individual markings and curves, I notice Avory leaning back on the counter and watching in the reflection of the machine. I smile to myself, realising what fun I could have with this. I spin myself around and grab Avory by the hands, pulling him to the machinery and placing myself behind him.

“Instead of watching me, why don't you try it yourself?”

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