Chapter five

Aria pushed through the glass door of Brew Haven, the cafe where she had clocked countless shifts for the past 3 years. The smell of fresh espresso beans roasting and cinnamon scones baking wrapped around her like a comforting hug, mingling with the chatter of customers packed around their seats. The place was packed as expected since this was one of the cafe’s peak times.

She spotted the girls at their usual corner booth as Lena waved frantically to get her attention. Mia was scrolling on her phone with her signature sharp eyeliner framing a smirk. Jade hadn’t arrived yet, I thought, since she wasn’t at the table. This was her tight circle, a makeshift sisterhood that made the world seem less cruel.

“Finally! I thought you’d never leave campus,” Lena teased as Aria took her seat in their booth opposite them. She shoved a steaming latte across the table to her.

Just then, Jade arrived and joined them, her energetic grin lighting up as she dropped her DJ headphones on the table with a loud thud. “Spill, queen. Your texts were cryptic AF.”

“Yeah, but go from the beginning,” Mia said, finally dropping her phone. “Starting from the time you walked out of the club with that hottie.”

“Every detail counts,” Lena added. “Do not leave anything out.”

Aria’s cheeks turned red and her palms became clammy around the hot mug. The weight of yesterday till this morning crashed on her suddenly as the words spilled out.

“Okay, club stranger? He’s an absolute god in bed. Oh my god, you guys. That was the best sex I’ve ever had in my entire life.”

The gasps came simultaneously as Lena’s jaw was already on the table.“Oh? Don’t you leave us hanging, bitch.”

Jade whooped low, tossing a sugar packet. “Details, girl! Bulge size?”

Aria laughed, heat pooling in her sex. “His cock was… gosh! Thick, veined. Better than 8 years with limp-dick Marcus. Just thinking about it still makes me wet. He was so commanding, yet gentle with me. Everywhere he touched, my skin was ON FIRE! Look,” she pulled down her shirt to show them the bruise he’d left on her neck.

“Omg, he gave you a hickey,” Jade almost screamed. “Oh yeah, I can imagine how hot the sex was.”

All the girls squealed with laughter, almost like they’ve been waiting for the day this would happen.

“Somebody has people to thank for dragging her out of that miserable state she was in,” Lena said, laughing.

“That’s true. I can’t believe you would still be crying over that loser and miss out on the best cockitful day of your life,” Mia said, taking a bite from her scone.

Lena held her hands. “So… what’s his name? Please tell me you took his number and y’all are gonna start dating.”

“When do we get to see him?” Jade asked. “As your best friends, we get to approve who you chose to date.”

Mia raised her eyes to Jade. “Bitch, you know you only date women, right?.”

“So? What does that have to do with anything? Men, women, as long as there is some emotional entanglement, we still judge them.”

Lena glanced at Aria and saw that she wasn’t as happy as they were. “Guys, stop. Aria, why the face?”

“So,” Aria felt her heartbeat slow momentarily. “That cute hottie is my fucking professor.”

There was a stunned silence in their midst. No one dared move, or even blink.

“I swear, I had no idea until this morning,” Aria gulped some latte. “We didn’t exchange names because I just saw it as some one-night stand thing. I was late, rushing and then—bam! I literally bumped into him on campus.”

The girls sat there, unmoving, like their brain was still trying to process the information. Mia spoke first.

“So wait… you had mind-blowing sex with a hot stranger last night, then he turns out to be your professor on campus this morning? She nearly snorted, elbowing Jade. “Talk about some twisted drama central!”

Aria sighed and ran her fingers through her dark waves. “I wish that was all. I found out he’s married too… and ‘accidentally’ ended up in his office later.”

They all gasped.

“Things escalated fast, there was kissing, touching, and we almost got caught by his TA.” Her face went bright red. “Then, we made this deal to be cordial with each other and pretend like nothing ever happened between us.”

Lena narrowed her eyes, leaning forward. “Girl, I did NOT push your ass to apply for that Masters after Marcus’ bullshit. You’re brilliant, Aria. Especially not that you got the scholarship. And day one, you’re risking expulsion for a married professor dick?”

Mia nodded sharply, “Yeah, girl. That scholarship isn’t just about tuition. It’s about conferences, stipends, travel. It’s literally a golden ticket. You can’t let some sexy professor derail your whole future.”

Jade laughed, trying to ease the tension of how serious the conversation had gotten. “And now that Aria knows not to get in with the professor, no matter how hot and big his cock is, let’s move on to the laundry list of new guys Aria might be interested in. Anyone caught your fancy yet, love?”

Aria’s smile softened, grateful for the change of subject. “Well… there’s this one guy. His name is Tyler.”

Lena smiled slyly. “Tyler, huh? Tell us about him. Is he a student too?”

“No, he’s a barista at the school’s coffee kiosk,” Aria admitted. “I don’t know… he’s cute and sweet, different from the chaos in my life.”

Mia nudged her, grinning. “Oooh, barista boy. Did he serve caffeine with a side of romance?”

Aria laughed, her heart fluttering. “Just coffee for now. But it’s nice to have someone who sees me beyond the mess that I am.”

Mia teased, “Careful now, Aria. Barista charm is dangerous when you’re already drowning in a professor’s deep blue eyes.”

The friends chuckled, easing the weight as the conversation flowed.

- - -

Back at their apartment, as Aria and Lena were dressing up to head to their shift, her mind drifted to Marcus. She still hadn’t picked up her things yet, but she had plans to go the next day.

“I don’t think I can do this,” She said, burying her head in her palms. “It still hurts.”

Lena, who was just about putting on her shoes, turned to her. “You need closure, girl. Go get your stuff and slap that lying cheat and his stupid bitch with your independence. It’s time to close that door for good.”

Swallowing her nerves, Aria knew tomorrow she would have to face him after two months… and herself too.