Page 21 of Dreams and Desires

I step into the café and take a moment to soak in the cozy atmosphere. It’s my first time here, so I head to the counter and order a black coffee—safe and simple. As I wait, my eyes wander around the room, taking in the warm lighting and inviting space. That is when I spot her—Juniper—sitting by the window, completely absorbed in a book.

The barista hands me my coffee, and I wrap my fingers around the warm mug, letting it ground me as I take another look at Juniper. The sunlight catches the soft waves of her dark hair, and for a moment, she seems... different. She doesn’t look like a problem right now. Just someone reading in peace. Her glasses catch the light a little. They make her look more... focused, I guess. Different than I’m used to seeing her. It messes with my head more than I want to admit.

With my coffee in hand, I stroll over, curiosity getting the better of me. “Hey there,” I greet her, pulling up a chair without waiting for an invitation. “What’s so interesting that it’s got all your attention?”

She looks up, clearly annoyed by the interruption. “I was enjoying some peace before you showed up. Can I help you with something?”

I lean back in the chair, my smirk widening as I catch a glimpse of the book cover she’s trying to hide. It’s one of those covers—a half-naked guy with rippling abs, his jeans hanging low on his hips, and a sultry, windswept woman clinging to him like he’s the last man on earth. “Is that why I’m getting the cold shoulder? Is that smutty novel of yours too distracting? The cover alone could make a grown man blush.”

Her eyes narrow, a flush creeping up her neck. “Careful, or I’ll read you a passage out loud. Let’s see how you handle that.”

I chuckle, raising my coffee cup in a mock toast. “I’m game. But don’t be surprised if I start asking for pointers. It seems like you’ve got some steamy secrets in those pages.”

“What do you want, Zade?” she asks, enunciating each word with careful precision. Her annoyance is obvious as she rolls her eyes.

I raise my coffee cup in a mock toast, still grinning. “I’m all for a good chat, but why so frosty? Maybe we’re not as different as you think.”

Her eyes harden, and she leans back, crossing her arms. “With you? Every word has a motive. So, what’s your angle?”

I tap my lips, pretending to think it over. “Maybe I’m just intrigued by you. Or maybe I’m planning to dismantle your campaign, piece by piece. Life’s full of surprises.”

“You’re impossible,” she mutters, clearly done with the conversation.

“Impossibly charming, I’d say,” I correct, standing up. “But don’t worry, I’ll leave you to your book.”

As I step outside, the brisk air hits me, refreshing after the warmth of the café. I lean against my car, sipping my coffee, feeling oddly satisfied. That is when I notice it—Juniper’s bicycle, parked right nearby. A mischievous idea forms in my head. It’s childish, sure, but I can’t resist.

After a quick glance around to make sure no one’s watching, I casually walk over to her bike. A silent deflation of her tires takes care of business. When she finally exits the coffee shop, she looks relaxed, almost content—until she sees her bike. Her face scrunches up. At first, she just looks thrown. Then her jaw sets, and her hand shoots to her bike like she already knows exactly what went wrong.

I stroll over, putting on my best concerned expression. “Hey, need a hand?”

She glares at me, suspicion flashing in her eyes. “What are you still doing here?”

“Just enjoying a coffee,” I say innocently, holding up my cup like it’s evidence. “But it looks like you could use some help with those tires.”

“No thanks,” she snaps, her tone icy. She starts to walk her bike away, clearly too stubborn to accept my offer.

I follow her in my car, driving slowly alongside. “You know, you really shouldn’t be walking. Let me give you a ride.”

“I’d rather walk than accept help from you,” she retorts.

“Suit yourself,” I say with a smirk. “But it’s a long walk home, and those jeans... well, let’s just say they’re gonna make it hard for me not to follow you.”

She stops and turns to me, her face flushed with anger. “You are such an asshole!”

“Thanks, I try,” I reply with a wink.

She starts walking again, faster this time. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

“Because you make it so much fun,” I tease. “Plus, I enjoy our little chats. Don’t you?”

“No, I don’t,” she says firmly. “And if you keep talking, I might just throw this bike at your car.”

“Now that would be interesting to see,” I laugh. “But seriously, Juniper, why do you hate me so much?”

She stops again, turning to face me fully. “You really want to know? It’s because you think you can come into this town, throw your money around, and change everything! You don’t care about us or this town!”

I raise an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. “And what makes you think I don’t care?”

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