One rainy evening Ava closed the café late.
When she stepped outside, the rain was pouring.
No umbrella.
Perfect.
Then a voice behind her said,
"You're going to get soaked."
Noah stood there holding an umbrella.
She crossed her arms.
"Is this pity?"
"Basic human decency."
She hesitated.
Then stepped under the umbrella.
They walked together.
Awkwardly close.
"So," Noah said, "what do you actually want to do?"
"What do you mean?"
"You don't look like someone meant to spend her life making coffee."
She smiled faintly.
"I want to write novels."
"That explains the dramatic personality."
She nudged him.
"Careful, Suit Man."
He laughed.
For the first time.