Bittersweet Love • Sacrifice •

11. 𝕎𝕙𝕠 𝕚𝕤 𝕙𝕖 ?

At work, I was basically a walking daydream. Pinch me, I've got a boyfriend, and not just any guy, but Ashton Kayne himself—the heartthrob on everyone's radar! The coffee shop was buzzing with the usual morning rush, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the scent of pastries. The chatter of customers and the clinking of cups created a lively atmosphere, but my mind was elsewhere.

Can you believe it? Because I sure can't.

Ladies of all ages are swooning over him, but guess what? He's all mine. I am caught in his charm, despite our six-year age gap. But hey, when there's a spark, age is just a number, right?

"Psst, check out Mr. Hottie at the door," Clara's whisper tickled my ear as a new customer strolled in. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and she nudged me playfully.

"Is that... Ashton?" Abby chimed in, barely containing her excitement. She leaned over the counter, craning her neck to get a better look.

I spun around, heart racing, only to realize—oops, classic friend prank. There was no Ashton, just a room full of giggles at my expense. The barista counter was bustling, and customers were lining up, oblivious to our little drama.

"Gotcha! Ashton's taken over Riley's brain," Clara giggled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Their laughter was infectious, and I couldn't help but join in, albeit with a blush painting my cheeks.

"Being in love suits you, Ry," Abby teased, giving me a playful shoulder nudge. She was grinning from ear to ear, clearly enjoying my embarrassment.

"Stop it, you guys! It's not like that," I protested, my voice a mix of embarrassment and denial. I tried to focus on the orders, but my mind kept drifting back to Ashton.

"Riley Hayes, all grown up and off the market!" Clara declared, her grin wider than ever. She handed a customer their coffee, still chuckling at my expense.

"Boyfriend? Who, me?" I played along, hoping to throw them off the scent. I grabbed a towel and started wiping down the counter, trying to hide my smile.

"Even your uncle's noticed those lovey-dovey glances between you two," Abby added, her eyes gleaming with amusement. She leaned against the counter, clearly enjoying the conversation.

My cheeks must've been the color of ripe tomatoes. "Uncle's cool with me and Ashton?" I ventured, my voice barely above a whisper. The idea of my uncle approving of our relationship made my heart flutter.

"Admission: accepted!" Abby teased, and I gasped, realizing I'd just spilled my own beans. She laughed, clearly delighted by my slip-up.

"Don't sweat it. Your uncle's probably over the moon about you two," Clara reassured me, her hug a cocoon of warmth. She squeezed my shoulder, giving me a reassuring smile.

I was grinning ear to ear, basking in their support. I couldn't wait to see Ashton and spill all the beans.

Then, my phone buzzed. It was him. "Hey, baby, what's up?" Ashton's voice was like a warm blanket on a chilly night. The sound of his voice made my heart skip a beat.

"Just tackling the workday. You?" I replied, my heart doing somersaults. I glanced around the coffee shop, making sure no one needed my immediate attention.

"Just thinking about you. Wanna hang out after work?" His words were like honey, sweet and comforting. I could almost picture his smile on the other end of the line.

"Absolutely! What's the plan?" I asked, excitement bubbling up inside me. The thought of spending time with him made the rest of the workday seem more bearable.

"Dinner at that new Italian spot, followed by a movie. Sound good?" he proposed, and it sounded like a dream. I could already taste the pasta and imagine the cozy movie theater.