Page 4 of Loving Josy
But now, here he is, standing in my coffee shop for the first time.Why now? Why, after all these years, does he decide to show up?
The question hangs in the air, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of asking. He doesn’t get to know how many nights I spent trying to forget him or how much effort it took to rebuild myself after realizing he’d never saw me the way I saw him.
“I have to go,” I say abruptly, stepping past him and into the crisp evening air. My heart pounds as I put as much distance as I can between us, the cool breeze brushing against my heated skin.
I don’t wait for his response. I don’t look back. Instead, I let the night swallow me, my strides purposeful and quick as I try to shake the memories he’s stirred. Noah Ross doesn’t get to unravel me anymore. Not again.
Chapter Two
Noah
Today, of all days, I decided to bite the bullet and visit Josy’s Sweet Shop. I've been meaning to come and see the place for myself, but there was always something stopping me.Stop lying to yourself, Noah. There’s nothing stopping you from coming to visit her coffee shop. Josy opened it five years ago. That excuse is stupid at this point.
Okay, fine.
I have been avoiding coming to the coffee shop. There. Happy?
The truth is, I’ve been dreading confronting Josy for the past ten years, and I'm sick of being away from her. In recent months, I've seen her more and more since she’s best friends with Violet, who is dating one of my best friends, Austin. Every time there’s a get-together or Adrian has a soccer game, I'm there. Sure, I love spending time with my best friends and love Adrian; he’s a cool kid. But I really go to see Josy, even if she doesn’t look at me or talk to me. Just being close to her makes me happy. It has always been like this.
I met Josy when I was a senior and she was a freshman in high school. Josy was the cool chick who hung out with mostly boys and was always ready to do fun stuff. She came to all ofmy basketball games, and we hung out all the time. I started noticing Josy as more than friends should before she started college. She had always been pretty, but the summer before she went to college, damn, that girl changed and became gorgeous. Her body morphed into that of a siren that called to me every time she was nearby. I started talking to her every day and texting her while she was studying and I was working. Since I didn’t want to go to college, I worked in construction.
I spent my days thinking about Josy, and when I was done with work, all I wanted was to talk to her. Our conversations were the highlight of my day. It became a habit to look forward to our talks, to share my day, and to hear about hers. I didn't even realize when it happened, but at some point I started to crave her presence more than anything else. I never told her about my growing feelings; there was no point. I knew that she was way out of my league so I kept it platonic while I dated other girls, trying to find someone that could made me feel a little bit like I felt every time I was near Josy. Even though I really tried, it never happened until one day I stopped trying.
But out of nowhere, she ghosted me. One day, she just stopped responding to my texts and calls. I couldn’t understand what had happened. There was no fight, no disagreement, nothing to explain why she would suddenly cut me off. Ever since, she’s ignored me. She moved back to Honey Springs after college, and she’s been avoiding me at all costs. I’ve seen her on the streets, in grocery stores, and she acts like I’m invisible. Once, I even caught her hiding from me. It’s like she went out of her way to make sure we never crossed paths.
That’s why I never dared to visit her shop. The thought of what she might say to me if we did speak kept me away even though I wanted to be near her. I was afraid of the rejection, of hearing that she didn’t want anything to do with me. But after being near her for the past few years, I can’t take it anymore.Seeing her with Violet and Austin, being so close yet feeling so distant, is driving me insane.
Esteban and Austin told me to just talk to her, to ask her what the problem is. They’re right. I need to know, to understand what happened and why she’s been treating me this way. That’s why I think that today is the day that I’m ready to talk to Josy. I’m going to find out once and for all why she’s been avoiding me. Because I just can’t stand being away from her anymore.
After I am done with work, I go straight to Josy’s coffee shop. I have never said it to her, but I love her coffee. Esteban brings me one most days, paired with a pastry, and I devour it like is the best thing that I have ever tasted because it is.
As I approach the coffee shop, the charm of the place immediately catches my eye. The building is cozy yet inviting, with soft pink lettering above the entrance that practically sparkles in the sunlight. Cute illustrations—dainty coffee cups and swirling steam—adorn the clear windows, giving the shop a whimsical touch. It’s so perfectlyJosythat I can’t help but smile.
My hand is halfway to the door handle when I see her on the other side. My breath catches and I pause, unable to stop myself from admiring her. The sunlight streaming through the window casts a soft glow over her dark, glistening skin, making her look radiant. Her long curls are gathered in a messy bun perched atop her head, with a few unruly strands framing her face like they were meant to escape. Her face is bare of makeup, revealing her natural beauty—light brown eyes that hold a quiet strength, high cheekbones that accentuate her regal features, and full lips that curve into a pout even when she isn’t speaking.
She’s always been beautiful, but right now, she’s absolutely breathtaking.
My gaze trails down to her outfit. Dark jeans hug her perfectly rounded hips, each step she takes making them sway in a way that’s hypnotic. She’s wearing the coffee shop’s logoedshirt that fits snugly enough to hint at the strength beneath her toned arms and the defined shape of her figure. Josy doesn’t just walk; shecommandsevery step with an effortless confidence that makes it impossible to look away.
For a moment, I’m rooted in place, my hand still resting on the door handle. She doesn’t see me yet, and I let myself enjoy the sight, grateful for this quiet second to simply admire her before she turns and everything changes.
Josy’s presence is magnetic; it has always been like this. She has this natural grace and confidence that draws people in, and I am one of them. Even when she’s in a hurry, there’s a fluidity to her movements, like she’s always in tune with some inner rhythm. Her laughter, which I used to hear often on the phone, is infectious and lights up the room. Now that I think about it, I haven’t heard her laugh in a long time. Now she likes to just ignore me whenever that I am near her. As she rushes out, I can’t help but notice the little details that make her so uniquely Josy. She’s not just beautiful; she’s captivating, with a warmth and strength that make it impossible to look away. It’s not just her looks, though. It’s the way she carries herself, the passion she pours into everything she does.
She’s built this coffee shop from the ground up, and you can see the pride in her eyes when she talks about it. Not that she talks to me about it. But I have seen her from afar when she talks with Violet, Esteban, or Austin.
When she turns and looks at me, her eyes go big with surprise, I use that moment to say, "Hi, Josy."
She looks perplexed but responds with a simple, "Hi." I am about to ask her to talk for a few minutes when she blurts, "I have to go." And I move out of her way, watching her walk away like her ass is on fire.
I stare at her as she heads to her truck. She doesn’t look back at me, and I just stand here holding the door open. I watch hertruck drive away until it takes the curve and disappears from sight. Sighing loudly, I feel like I missed another opportunity to talk to her. Turning to look at the coffee shop, I take in the cozy ambiance and the inviting atmosphere that Josy has created.
The sound of gentle chatter and the occasional clink of coffee cups add to the bustling yet serene ambiance. I can see why this place is so popular; it has Josy's touch all over it, from the decor to the menu items.
I walk in, taking a moment to soak in the environment. The walls are adorned with local artwork, and the shelves are lined with various coffee beans and books. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods fills the air. I make my way to the counter where a girl greets me with a friendly smile.
"Hi there! What can I get for you today?" she asks.
I glance at the menu, though I already know what I want. "I'll have a large coffee and one of those blueberry muffins," I say, pointing to the display case.
