The bell above the café door chimed softly as Gianna wiped down the counter, trying to keep herself occupied. It had been a busy afternoon, and now that the rush had subsided, she was left with a mix of relief and restlessness. She glanced out the window, watching the late afternoon sun cast long shadows on the sidewalk outside.
"Hey, Gianna," Taylor called from the back, where she was busy restocking supplies. "Table three needs their check."
Gianna nodded, grabbing the bill and heading over to the table. As she handed it to the customer, she caught sight of someone entering the café out of the corner of her eye.
Adrian.
Her heart skipped a beat despite herself. Of course, he would show up now, just when she was starting to relax. She kept her expression neutral as she made her way back to the counter, but she couldn't ignore the slight flush creeping up her neck.
He approached the counter, his usual calm demeanor in place as he waited for her attention. Gianna tried to focus on the register, tapping in his order without meeting his eyes. She handed him his coffee, their fingers brushing briefly—a touch that sent a jolt of electricity through her despite its brevity.
"Thanks," Adrian said quietly, taking the cup.
Gianna nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She watched as he headed toward his usual spot by the window, her thoughts a jumble of confusion and curiosity. It was like every time she thought she had him figured out, he surprised her all over again.
She forced herself to turn away, busying herself with wiping down the counter as Taylor shot her a knowing glance from the back. Gianna ignored it, focusing on the routine of her tasks. Adrian was just another customer. Nothing more.
But as the afternoon wore on, she couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching her, studying her in that way he had that made her feel exposed and seen all at once. She moved through the café with practiced efficiency, serving customers, refilling drinks, and doing her best to pretend that her heart wasn't beating a little faster whenever she caught sight of him.
It was during one of her trips to clear a table that their paths crossed unexpectedly. Gianna turned a corner and nearly collided with Adrian, who had just stood up from his table, coffee in hand.
"Oh, sorry," she mumbled, stepping back to give him room.
Adrian raised an eyebrow slightly, a small smile playing on his lips. "No problem. Guess we're both a bit clumsy today."
Gianna managed a half-hearted smile, feeling flustered for reasons she couldn't quite pinpoint. "Yeah, I guess so."
They stood there for a moment, awkwardness settling between them like a heavy curtain. Gianna felt the seconds stretch out, unsure of what to say or do next. She was used to smooth interactions, confident exchanges with customers and friends alike. But Adrian had a way of throwing her off balance, of making her forget everything she thought she knew about social interaction.
"Well, I should get going," Adrian finally said, breaking the silence. He nodded toward the door. "Thanks for the coffee."
Gianna nodded in response, watching him walk away with a strange mix of relief and disappointment. She waited until he was out of sight before exhaling softly, leaning against the nearest table for support. What was it about him that made her feel so off-kilter?
"Smooth," Taylor teased from behind her, a smirk evident in her voice.
Gianna shot her a glare. "Shut up."
Taylor laughed, holding up her hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm just saying. You've got it bad."
"I do not," Gianna insisted, straightening up and forcing herself to focus on clearing the table in front of her.
"Sure, sure," Taylor said, though she mercifully dropped the subject, returning to her tasks.
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of activity, but Gianna couldn't shake the memory of their awkward encounter. She found herself glancing toward the door more often than usual, half-expecting Adrian to walk back in and throw her off balance again.
When her shift finally ended, Gianna practically bolted out of the café, eager to put some distance between herself and the confusing mess that was Adrian. She walked home quickly, the cool evening air doing little to calm her racing thoughts.
As she reached her apartment building, Gianna took a deep breath, trying to push aside the unease that had settled in her chest. Adrian was just a guy—mysterious, intriguing, and infuriatingly attractive—but just a guy nonetheless. She had dealt with worse, she told herself. This was just another challenge to navigate, another puzzle to solve.
But as she climbed the stairs to her apartment, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway, Gianna couldn't help but wonder if Adrian was more than just another challenge. Maybe he was the kind of puzzle you weren't meant to solve, the kind that kept you guessing long after you thought you had all the pieces.