The following morning, I woke up feeling more grounded but still unsure about the future. The weight of yesterday's conversation with my parents, combined with the complicated dynamics between me, Tyler, and Shawn, lingered in my thoughts like a fog. We had all agreed to take things one day at a time, but that didn't stop the uncertainty from creeping in.
I walked to the kitchen, drawn by the scent of fresh coffee. Tyler and Shawn were already sitting at the table, cups in hand, their voices low. They looked up as I entered, "Good morning sweetheart." Tyler greeted.
"Morning, baby," Shawn greeted, his tone soft, as though he could sense my unease.
"Good morning, both of you!" I replied, a smile breaking through my lingering uncertainty. "It's nice seeing muscular bodies early in the morning."
"You're obsessed with muscles but still I'm not gonna forget what happened yesterday" Tyler chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"I think you lived long enough," I said, walking over to pour myself a cup of coffee. The rich aroma filled the air, soothing my nerves just a bit.
"You can't threaten me young lady, I do have your mother's number," he added.
"Whaattt!" I exclaimed. "Well you won't be able to tell anyone if I did it fast!" I grinned.
"You're having dark circles! Did you sleep ok?" Shawn asked, leaning forward, concern etched on his face.
"I-I did," I admitted, wrapping my hands around the warm mug. "How about you two?"
"Not bad. Baby, I understand there's a lot going on in your mind, but please rest well," Tyler replied concerned.
"I was just thinking about everything we talked about. I just want to make sure we're all on the same page moving forward." I added.
"Same here," Shawn added, glancing between us. "I want us to navigate this together, but it's a lot to unpack."
I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "It is. But I believe we can handle it. We just need to communicate."
"Exactly," Tyler said, his gaze steady and reassuring. "No matter how difficult things get, we need to be open and honest with each other. That's the only way we'll figure this out."
After a moment of comfortable silence, I decided to lighten the mood. "So, what's on the agenda for today? Anything exciting?"
Tyler smirked, "Well, if I remember correctly, Shawn owes us a breakfast that's not just coffee and toast."
"Hey, I'll have you know I make a mean omelette!" Shawn defended, playfully crossing his arms.
"Alright, Chef Shawn. Let's see what you've got," I teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Challenge accepted!" he declared, jumping up from his seat. "You two sit tight; I'll whip up something delicious."
As he moved around the kitchen, I felt a warmth spreading through me. Despite the complexities of our situation, moments like this reminded me that we still had fun together. It was a flicker of hope amidst the uncertainty.
"While he cooks, we can talk about the meeting with my parents," Tyler suggested, leaning back in his chair.
"Definitely," I agreed, feeling the weight of the upcoming conversation settle in.
"Exactly," Shawn nodded. "And we should let them know how serious we are about this."
"Right," I said, taking a sip of my coffee, steeling myself for the discussions ahead. "Together, we'll face whatever comes next."
Just then, Shawn returned with a triumphant smile and a plate stacked high with fluffy omelettes. The golden edges glistened under the morning light. "Breakfast is served!" he announced, placing it on the table.
"Now this is what I'm talking about!" I exclaimed, the warmth of the morning settling into something comforting.
The rest of the day unfolded like a well-rehearsed play. The hum of customers at the café, the hiss of the espresso machine, and the occasional clink of dishes provided a familiar backdrop. Yet, even as I poured coffee and exchanged pleasantries with patrons, my thoughts were elsewhere.
The image of Tyler and Shawn at the breakfast table kept resurfacing, their voices echoing in my mind. "We need to communicate." Their words were simple but carried a weight that left my chest tight. What would happen when I met Tyler's parents? Would they see me as an outsider, someone unfit for their world?
I tightened my grip on the coffee pot, steadying myself. Whatever lay ahead, I had to face it head-on.
As I wiped down the counter, lost in thought, the door swung open, and in walked Tyler. "Hey, baby girl!" he called out, his smile lighting up the room.
I raised an eyebrow, unable to hold back a smile. "Why aren't you at work?"
"Well, I missed my girlfriend, so I decided to come see her," he replied, leaning on the counter with a teasing grin. Before I could respond, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and straightened. "I'll be right back; I need to take this call."
As he stepped away, my cheeks warmed at the word "girlfriend." A few months ago, I would've laughed at the idea of finding love again, not after Mark and everything that followed.
The thought lingered until the doorbell chimed, jolting me back to the present. My stomach sank as Mark and Emma stepped inside. Emma, once one of my closest friends, had betrayed me in the worst way possible. Now she stood before me, her arm casually looped through Mark's, her eyes scanning the café before landing on me. Mark stood outside to answer a call.
"Well, look who we have here!" Emma's tone was overly bright, her smile sharp-edged.
"Hello, Emma," I replied, keeping my voice steady and neutral.
Her gaze flicked over me, taking in my apron and the café around us. The faintest glint of disdain flashed in her eyes. "So, you're just a waitress now?" she said with a mocking laugh. "I knew Mark's future wouldn't be bright if he stayed with you. Naturally, he needed someone on his level—someone like me."
A familiar bitterness curled in my stomach. Emma's words stung, but I forced myself to stay composed. "I'm happy where I am, Emma. Success isn't always about titles—it's about doing what you love and finding peace."
Emma raised a perfectly arched brow, her smile curdling. "Peace doesn't pay the bills, Ann. Mark and I are building a real future together. He deserves someone who can match his ambition."
Before I could respond, Tyler returned, slipping an arm around my waist with a casual ease that made Emma's smile falter. His presence steadied me, his confidence an anchor in the rising tide of tension.
"Hey, baby, everything okay?" he asked, his warm gaze focused entirely on me.
Emma's composure cracked further. "You're... charming," she stammered, her tone suddenly flirtatious as she took in Tyler's presence.
Tyler didn't spare her a glance. Instead, he pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Let me help you with this order," he said, his voice low and comforting.
I smirked, grateful for his unwavering support. "Sure, but don't expect any special treatment."
Behind us, Emma huffed, her frustration bubbling over. "Aren't you being rude to your customer?" she snapped, her voice loud enough to turn heads.
Mark entered the cafe, startled by her outburst. "Emma, what's going on?" he asked, his embarrassment evident.
"They're being rude to me!" she exclaimed, her voice shrill.
"Ann?" he said, surprise colouring his voice.
I met his eyes calmly. "Hello, Mark."
He looked caught off guard, and guilt flashed across his face. "H-how are you? You… you work here? I—I've been looking for you."
Tyler tightened his hold on my waist, his stance protective. "I'm Tyler, Ann's boyfriend."
Mark's face fell as he glanced between me and Tyler. He opened his mouth to say something, but Emma cut him off, her face twisted in a mix of irritation and smugness.
Tyler and I exchanged a look of disbelief as she pulled out her phone and made a quick call. Moments later, a man entered the café, his face serious as he approached us.
"Uncle, they're bullying me!" Emma declared triumphantly.
Her uncle surveyed the scene, his gaze lingering on Tyler before his demeanour shifted. Bowing his head slightly, he addressed Tyler directly. "Mr. Sinclair, is there an issue here?"
Tyler's eyes flicked toward Emma, unimpressed. "Not at all. We were just trying to work when your niece caused a scene."
Emma blinked, her confidence unravelling. "Uncle, what are you talking about? She's just—"
Her uncle cut her off with a sharp look. "Do you even realise who you're speaking to? Tyler Sinclair doesn't just own half the properties in this district—his company sponsors our major clients. Show some respect."
Emma's face drained of colour. She stammered, trying to recover, but her uncle sighed, his disappointment clear. "Apologies for the disruption, Mr. Sinclair," he said with a bow before steering Emma toward the door.
Mark hesitated, his gaze darting between me and Tyler. "Ann… I—"
Tyler's arm tightened protectively around me. "Let's go, Mark," Emma's uncle ordered. With one last apologetic glance, Mark followed them out, Emma's protests trailing behind them.
As the door closed, the café buzz slowly returned to normal. I let out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding.
Tyler chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Well, that was… something."
I laughed, the tension finally melting away. "Something, indeed. Thank you for standing up for me. I don't know how I would've handled that alone."
"You're never alone, Ann," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. "We're a team."
The warmth in his eyes was enough to make the chaos of the day fade into the background. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew we could face them—together.
Later that evening, as the café emptied out and the last few customers lingered over their coffee, I sat at the counter, lost in thought. Tyler's visit earlier had been a welcome distraction, but even his comforting presence couldn't shake the weight that had settled in my chest.
I couldn't deny it—Tyler was becoming an anchor in my life. His strength, confidence, and the way he always seemed to have everything under control made him an easy person to lean on. But there was something about Shawn's quiet support that grounded me in a different way. His sensitivity, his concern for my well-being—it was the kind of comfort I hadn't realized I needed until I'd had it.
I glanced up as Shawn entered the café. "Hey, Jaan," he greeted with a warm smile, his eyes lighting up as they met mine. The word rolled off his tongue with a tenderness that made my cheeks flush instantly.
"Hey," I replied, managing a small smile despite the heaviness in my chest.
He tilted his head, studying me carefully. "Rough day?"
I shrugged, swirling the spoon in my half-empty coffee mug. "You could say that. Emma and Mark stopped by earlier."
Shawn's brows furrowed, his posture shifting into something more protective. "What did they want?"
"To stir up trouble, mostly," I said, my tone laced with exhaustion. "Emma couldn't resist throwing a few jabs about where I am in life. But Tyler showed up and handled it. You know how he is."
Shawn chuckled softly. "Yeah, I can imagine. Tyler's not one to back down when it comes to protecting you."
His words made my heart ache in a way I couldn't quite explain. I looked down at my mug, tracing its rim with my finger. "He's... incredible," I admitted. "But so are you, Shawn. You both are, in your own ways."
Shawn leaned forward, his expression softening. "Ann, you don't have to figure everything out right now. It's okay to feel overwhelmed. Just know that I'm here, no matter what."
His words were like a balm to my frayed nerves. I reached out, placing my hand over his. "Thank you. That means more than you know."
For a moment, we sat in silence, the café's soft hum filling the space. It was one of those moments where words weren't necessary—a quiet understanding passed between us.
Shawn broke the silence with a small smile. "So, did Emma at least order something, or was she just here to cause chaos?"
I laughed despite myself, the tension easing slightly. "Chaos, mostly. But her uncle showed up and put her in her place when he realized who Tyler was."
Shawn raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Let me guess—Emma's confidence vanished in record time."
"Pretty much," I said with a grin. "Her uncle couldn't apologize fast enough."
Shawn shook his head, his smile widening. "Serves her right."
As the laughter faded, Shawn's gaze turned serious again. "Ann, if you ever need to talk about Mark, or anything else... I'm here. You don't have to carry all of this alone."
The sincerity in his voice made my chest tighten. I nodded, grateful for his unwavering support. "I know. And thank you, Shawn. For everything."
He squeezed my hand gently before pulling away, his smile returning. "Alright, now let's get you home. You've had enough excitement for one day."
I hesitated, glancing around the café. "But there's still—"
"Ann," he interrupted, his tone firm but kind. "The café will still be here tomorrow. You need to take care of yourself, too."
His words left no room for argument. With a sigh, I nodded and grabbed my coat. As Shawn walked me to my car, I couldn't help but think about how lucky I was to have two incredible men in my life. But with that realization came an undeniable truth—I couldn't avoid making a decision forever.
And when the time came, I could only hope I'd make the right one.