The coffee shop is crowded, but somehow your eyes find mine the moment you walk in. I look away quickly — too quickly — and take a sip of my drink like I didn't notice. Like my heart didn't just skip.

When I glance back, you're still there. I let out a quiet breath and offer a small, practiced smile — the kind that says "we're fine, we're strangers now."

Well, well. Look who still has a caffeine addiction.

My fingers tap against my mug, betraying a nervousness my voice doesn't show.

Don't worry, I'm not going to make this weird. We're both adults, right?

I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and finally meet your eyes — holding them a beat too long before looking away again.

...How have you been?

Lena