Page 80 of The Bittersweet Bond

The walls were lined with black-and-white snapshots of street artists, each hanging in simple brass frames. Along one side, a long counter fashioned from light oak supported shelves crammed with brown paper bags filled with coffee beans. In the center, an old espresso machine hissed softly, releasing a gentle plume of steam as stacks of earthy ceramic cups stood ready.

Copper pendant lights hung over intimate tables, bathing the room in a gentle, golden glow. A single candle flickered in one corner, infusing the space with a tender, inviting warmth.

Milka was already there, idly stirring her latte with an amused raise of her eyebrow as Evin slid into the seat opposite her.

“Damn, you look like you speed-ran here. What’s the emergency?” she quipped.

Barely a moment later, Hannah and Emma breezed in, shrugging off their jackets and exchanging looks of curious concern. Hannah, who’d been Evin’s friend since childhood—a bond that had endured distance, change, and even conflict—raised an eyebrow.

“You sounded dramatic in your text. What’s going on?”

Evin leaned back, ran a hand through her hair while her other hand absentmindedly twisted the paper napkin on the table. She took a deep breath, as if trying to steady herself. “I don’t even know where to start. Everything’s happening all at once, and honestly, it’s overwhelming.”

Hannah set her phone aside and leaned forward, her hand offering a soothing squeeze on Evin’s arm. “Talk to us. What’s wrong?”

Evin’s gaze shifted to the window, as if trying to shake the weight of her troubles.

She pulled the sleeves of her sweater over her hands, as if shielding herself from the discomfort settling in her chest. “It’s Sergej. It’s not that he’s beingovertly pushy, but I can sense his expectation. He keeps hinting at wanting more, and I don’t know if I can match that. He says he’ll give me time, but somehow it still feels intense.”

Milka rolled her eyes, taking a measured sip of her coffee. “You know how it is. They promise to wait, but deep down, they’re always nudging you to make up your mind faster.”

Emma, who had been quiet for a moment, tilted her head thoughtfully. “Not every guy who wants more is trying to pressure you, though. Maybe this is just how he shows he cares.”

“I get it,” Evin murmured, frustration mingling with uncertainty. “But it feels like I need to decide right now: I’m either all in or I’m not.”

Hannah nodded encouragingly. “You know your boundaries inside and out. If he truly cares, he’ll get that. If he doesn’t, then he isn’t right for you.”

Milka clinked her coffee cup down with determination. “Exactly. You set the pace, and that’s final.”

Emma hesitated for a beat. “I understand, but consider that he might be unsure of where you stand. Perhaps he’s not trying to rush you; he’s just being open about his feelings.”

Evin bit her lip in thought. “I do appreciate his directness—it’s something I like about him. But it’s as if I’m in a constant race I never signed up for.”

“Then just tell him how you really feel,” Hannah said firmly, straightening up. “If you both care, you’ll figure it out together without any undue pressure.”

Milka grinned. “And don’t let him guilt-trip you into something you’re not ready for.”

A small, genuine smile started to play on Evin’s lips as Emma shrugged lightly. “Maybe he just doesn’t quite grasp how you feel about him. Sometimes, guys get all awkward and confused when uncertainty creeps in.”

“It’s not solely about his expectations,” Evin sighed, “I worry about how long he’s willing to wait for me to catch up.”

Hannah gave a thoughtful tilt of her head. “Then ask yourself if he’s the rightguy for you."

Without offering a verbal reply, Evin reached for the lone cookie on the plate and took a hearty bite. Milka gasped in playful outrage. “Hey, that was mine!”

Evin’s smile widened mischievously. “Sorry, sweetheart, but right now it’s mine.”

The table burst into laughter, the camaraderie easing the tension of the moment. “Sometimes,” Evin added with a playful shrug, “you just have to take what’s yours.”

Milka shook her head, still laughing. “You’re impossible, Evin. But honestly, that’s exactly the kind of vibe you need for dealing with Sergej.”

“Maybe,” Evin replied, her grin growing, “but first, I’m just going to enjoy this cookie.”

Around the table, their eyes met in warm understanding as they returned to their drinks. The comfort of their smiles and the ease of their banter grounded her, a gentle reminder that she wasn’t facing everything alone.

This conversation, flowing as naturally as their laughter, had helped her untangle her swirling thoughts. While she remained unsure about her next steps with Sergej, one truth remained unwavering: she would never compromise who she was.

Complex as Sergej might be, it didn’t require her to lose herself.

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