Chapter Four: One coffee, one kiss

And once again, he was here, staring right at me.

The message was sent.

I froze, my eyes locked on the tiny blue check mark for what felt like forever. My thumb hovered over the screen, breath shaking, heart hammering with every second.

And then… three dots appeared.

My pulse raced. “He's typing.”

Liam: Reese?

Just my name, and yet it sent shivers racing through my skin. It felt like he was leaning over my shoulder, whispering it into my ear. I bit my lower lip, unsure what to reply, maybe a ‘hi’ or ‘hello.’

Me: Hi, it’s been a while.

The dots flashed again.

Liam: Six years but who’s counting?

I swallowed hard, my throat stuttering. Six years. Six years since I left the only man I ever loved—the only man who has made me feel truly seen. I’d left him sitting hopelessly on his bed, convinced that stability was worth more than love.

I stood, pacing the room, my phone in one hand. I shouldn’t be doing this. This is wrong.

But before I could convince myself to delete the app, my phone beeped again.

Liam: You look exactly the same. Still beautiful and stunning. I almost didn’t believe it was you.

My chest tightened, and heat spread through my cheeks. Carter had never said anything like that to me before, not in years.

I hesitated, my fingers fluttering over the screen. I typed, deleted, my mind scrambling for the right words.

Me: You haven’t changed either, still dramatic.

The dots blinked again.

Liam: Haha… still stubborn too.

I laughed before I could stop myself, a sharp laugh that made me feel foolish. Falling for him again was too easy. He always knew the right words.

I sank into the chair, burying my face in my hands. The apartment was quiet, except for the low murmur of voices from the TV and then the sudden vibration of my phone.

Liam: So, you’re still single? I thought you’d be living the dream life by now, probably married to a billionaire, and succeeding in that fashion design business you always talked about.

Those words cut deep. Yes, that dream came true, but was it ever worth it? I wanted a stable and secure life, but I ended up in a passionless marriage.

Me: Life doesn’t always turn out the way we plan, does it?

Liam: No, it doesn’t. But we can always get a second chance.

My breath trembled. A second chance?

I immediately dropped the phone on the table as if it had burned my hands. My heart raced. I thought about Carter, the kids sleeping in the next room, and the lie I had just told on the app. But despite the guilt, I felt a risky spark of hope.

The phone buzzed again.

Liam: Let me buy your coffee tomorrow. Just to catch up. Nothing much.

My eyes froze on the screen. I tapped my foot restlessly on the floor, my heart tightened as thoughts battled between the two worlds: a faithful wife bound by vows, or a woman desperate to feel seen again.

Me: That’s not a good idea.

I tossed the phone on the couch and leaned back, my foot still tapping on the marble floor. The phone vibrated again.

Liam: Not a good idea or are you just scared?

My chest squeezed tight, and a shudder ran down my spine. Scared? I didn't reply, but the dots appeared again.

Liam: You’re not scared of coffee, Reese.

You're scared of me. Scared I'll make you remember how good we were, every damn thing we used to do. The way you whispered my name like it was a sin.

My thighs clamped together without thinking. I felt wetness between my legs just from his words. God… I hated him. I hated him for knowing exactly how to make my body betray me.

Another beep snapped me back.

Liam: One coffee, Reese. That's all, unless you're too afraid to find out what happens when you see me again.

Sweat built up in my palms. Just coffee… but nothing about Liam was ever just coffee. Nothing about him ever had.

And yet, my fingers moved before I could think.

Me: Fine. Coffee.

The second I hit send, my heart lurched.

Liam: Knew you couldn't resist. By noon. Galaxy Cafè.

My chest ached. I tried to convince myself it was just coffee, but deep down, I knew that saying yes had already changed everything.

By morning, those words were still staring at me: Let me buy you coffee.

I went to work, pretending it was just a normal day.

Everything about my boutique screamed luxury—shiny marble floors, racks of the most beautiful dresses glinting under the low light, soft remix versions of popular songs playing quietly in the background.

By ten, I’d typed and deleted a dozen excuses, my heart jumping every time my phone lit up. And by noon, I was standing in front of the cafè.

I stepped inside, and the sweet blend of cappuccino and roasted beans filled the air, mixed with the low hum of the espresso machine.

And then I saw him.

Liam.

Leaning against a booth, a cup of coffee in one hand. He was completely different now, definitely not the same diner boy I remembered. He was wearing a three-piece suit, quite unusual for a coffee date. His hair was shorter now, perfectly edged, with tattoos running up his neck.

And those blue eyes… God, those eyes still carried the same warmth I remembered.

He spotted me before I could look away. And as he stood, his grin slowly widened into a smile, the kind that turns me on in seconds.

“Reese.”

My legs trembled, my knees weakening like I’d forgotten how to walk.

I forced a nod, swallowing hard as I stepped closer. “Liam.”

“You look…” He exhaled as we slid into the booth. “Better than I remembered.”

He signaled the waiter, who immediately set a cup of steaming cappuccino before me.

He traced the rim of his cup, his eyes locked on me as if I might disappear if he blinked.

“Um…” I broke the silence, my voice barely a whisper. “Six years, huh?”

“Six years,” he repeated. “And here you are… still single.”

I shifted uncomfortably. “Yes.” I couldn't bring myself to say the truth.

“You’ve always wanted more, Reese.” He leaned back, his eyes studying my every movement. “I'm surprised.”

“Are you still working at the diner?” I asked, “You look… different.”

He laughed, rich and mocking, as if I’d asked the dumbest question. “No honey, that was six years ago.”

I sipped my coffee to hide the embarrassment rising in my cheeks. “Why are you here, Liam? On allure?”

He leaned closer, his gaze locked on mine. “Same reason you are, I guess. Looking to feel something again.”

My chest tightened, and I could smell his cologne lingering. It was sharp and expensive.

I set my cup down with trembling fingers.

“This… is insane.”

His voice dropped, low and tempting. “Then why are you still here?”

“Um, Liam—”

“God, you still do that,” he murmured before I could complete my words.

“Do what?”

“Look away when you feel too much.”His voice was husky.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could, his lips slammed against mine, shutting me up.

I went still, my eyes widening. He… he just kissed me. And as much as I hated to admit it, I like it. I like it very much.

I leaned in, tilting his head, deepening the kiss.

Our tongues didn’t just clasped, it devoured each other, intense and hard. With saliva dripping down my chin, that was how restless it was. I would have stopped but I was turned on even more.

God, I shouldn't… but every nerve in my body ached for him, my stomach twisting, and my mind completely blank.

I clutched the edge of the table to steady myself.

Finally, I managed to pull back, gasping, my lips swollen, my chest heaving.

“I… I need to use the restroom,” I muttered, my voice trembling.

He didn't argue, just nodded, his blue eyes still on me as he brushed the spit from my chin. Then he leaned back with a smile.

My legs felt like jelly as I walked toward the restroom, my pulse racing.

I splashed cold water on my face, trying to wash away the heat from Liam's kiss. Why did I let him? Why? I swallowed hard, staring at my reflection, hating how foolish I was.

And just as I turned to leave, I caught a reflection in the mirror.

A figure stood behind me.