Espresso in The Rain

Noah barely slept that night.

After leaving the bar, he had gone straight back to his condo, hoping a shower and sleep would help clear his head. It didn't. Instead, he lay awake, staring at the ceiling, replaying everything that had happened between him and Elias.

The dance. The way Elias had touched him. The way he almost kissed him.

And the way Noah hadn't stopped him.

Groaning, Noah rolled over and buried his face in his pillow. This is bad.

He had no time for distractions. His second-year engineering courses were only getting harder, and he could already feel the weight of deadlines pressing down on him. The last thing he needed was to get tangled up with someone like Elias—someone he barely knew, someone who made him feel things he wasn't ready to deal with.

And yet…

He couldn't stop thinking about him.

Noah groaned again, sitting up. Sleep wasn't happening. He might as well get an early start.

He dragged himself out of bed, threw on a clean outfit, and grabbed his bag before heading out.

The early morning air in Bangkok was crisp, the streets still quiet as he made his way toward the coffee shop.

He didn't mean to go there.

Really.

It just… happened.

At least, that's what he told himself as he pushed open the door to The Roasted Heaven.

The familiar scent of coffee and warm pastries wrapped around him like a comforting embrace. A few early customers were scattered around, but the shop was mostly empty.

And behind the counter, Elias stood, pouring a fresh cup of coffee.

His head lifted at the sound of the door chime, and when his eyes met Noah's, something flickered across his face.

Noah's breath caught.

He should leave.

He should turn around, pretend he had never walked in, and go.

But his feet wouldn't move.

Instead, Elias wordlessly poured another cup and slid it across the counter toward him. "Morning."

Noah hesitated before stepping forward and taking the cup. He wrapped his hands around the warm ceramic, avoiding Elias's gaze.

"Morning," he mumbled.

Elias didn't say anything, but Noah could feel him watching.

It was stupid how easy the silence between them felt. It should be awkward after last night—after everything that almost happened. But instead, it was…

Comfortable.

And that terrified him more than anything.

Elias leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "Couldn't sleep?"

Noah frowned. "How do you—" He stopped himself, scowling. "Right. Stupid question."

Elias smirked. "You have that look."

"What look?"

"The I spent all night overthinking something I don't want to admit I care about look."

Noah's scowl deepened. "You're annoying."

"And you're avoiding something."

Noah clenched his jaw, gripping the cup a little tighter. He didn't want to talk about this.

Not here.

Not with Elias.

Not when he didn't even understand what he was feeling himself.

Elias must have sensed it, because after a moment, he sighed and pushed away from the counter. "I won't push," he said, voice softer now. "But if you ever do want to talk, I'm here."

Noah stared at him.

Elias was frustrating. He was confident, smug, and had a way of getting under Noah's skin like no one else.

But he was also…

Kind.

And that might be the most dangerous thing of all.

Noah exhaled, setting his cup down. "I should get to class."

Elias nodded, but something in his gaze told Noah he wasn't fooled. "See you later, then."

Noah turned to leave, but at the last second, he hesitated.

He glanced back over his shoulder.

And before he could talk himself out of it, he muttered, "Thanks for the coffee."

Then, before he could see Elias's reaction, he pushed the door open and stepped out into the busy Bangkok streets—his heart pounding the whole way to campus.