A Sip Of Love

6

Chapter 6:

The rain had finally let up by the time Raya stepped into the shop the following week, but the chill in the air lingered, a constant reminder that fall was quickly giving way to winter. The familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and the warmth of the shop wrapped around her like a soft embrace, but today, something felt different. The air was a little more charged, as if there was something unsaid lingering between her and Travis.

She had noticed, over the past few days, that her visits were becoming more than just a way to kill time. There was a quiet comfort in the way Travis greeted her each morning, in the small, unspoken conversations they’d started having while he prepared her cappuccino or when she sat at the window, lost in thought.

It was a gentle kind of bond, one that didn’t rush or pressure. It was just there, in the way their conversations flowed easily, in the way he seemed to sense what she needed without having to ask.

Today, as she walked in, she was greeted not just by the usual warmth of the shop, but by a soft, unexpected gesture from Travis.

“Hey, Raya,” he said, his voice warm, but with a certain edge of excitement. “I got something for you.”

Raya paused, slightly taken aback by his tone. “For me?” she asked, raising an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “You spoil me, Travis.”

He smiled, but there was something more thoughtful in his expression than usual. “I know you’ve been reading a lot lately, and I remember you mentioning this one book a while ago.”

He reached under the counter and pulled out a worn copy of The Night Circus, the novel she’d been eyeing at the bookstore for weeks but hadn’t gotten around to buying.

Her breath caught in her chest. “Oh my god, I’ve been wanting to read this for ages.”

“I figured you might,” he said, his eyes crinkling at the edges with that easy smile of his. “I saw it at the used bookstore down the street and thought you’d appreciate it. It’s one of my favorites.”

Raya’s heart swelled. It was such a small gesture, but in that moment, it felt like the most thoughtful thing anyone had done for her in a long time. It wasn’t just a book—it was a sign that Travis had been paying attention, that he remembered what she had said in passing weeks ago, and that he cared enough to follow through on something so simple but meaningful.

“You really didn’t have to,” she said softly, her fingers brushing over the book’s cover, feeling the worn edges beneath her fingertips. “Thank you, Travis.”

“Of course.” His voice was warm, like he was offering her more than just a book. “I thought you might like it.”

Raya glanced up at him, her smile faltering for just a second. For a brief moment, their gazes held. It wasn’t just the book. It was the way he made her feel—like she mattered, like her thoughts, her interests, even the small things about her, were noticed. Seen.

There was a subtle shift in the air between them, a quiet understanding that had been growing steadily, like the slow blooming of a flower. It wasn’t rushed or forced, but it was undeniable. The bond they were forming was more than just friendly—there was something deeper simmering beneath the surface, something she couldn’t name yet but that was beginning to feel a little too real to ignore.

“So, uh,” Travis continued, breaking the silence as he glanced around the coffee shop. “There’s a small event happening here tonight. An open mic, actually. Just a few regulars who come to play music, share poems, that kind of thing. I thought you might like to come.”

Raya’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You’re serious? I didn’t know you hosted things like that.”

“We don’t do it often,” Travis said, his voice a little more hesitant now, as though he wasn’t sure how she would react. “But it’s kind of fun, a chance for people to get together and just... share something. If you’re interested.”

Raya hesitated, her fingers gently running over the book’s spine. The idea of being around people in a setting like that made her feel uneasy, her usual introverted nature flaring up at the thought of being in the spotlight, even if she wasn’t the one performing.

But then she glanced up at Travis, at the quiet hope in his eyes, and something about his invitation made her pause. It wasn’t about being in the spotlight. It was about being part of something—a moment of connection that she hadn’t realized she needed.

She smiled, feeling the tiniest flutter of excitement. “I’d like that. I think... I think I’ll come.”

Travis’s face lit up, and the warmth in his smile made her chest feel lighter, like she had just taken a deep breath for the first time in days.

“Great,” he said, his tone clearly relieved. “I’ll save you a spot. It’s pretty casual, no pressure.”

Raya tucked the book carefully under her arm, glancing around the coffee shop. The familiar hum of the espresso machine and the low murmur of conversations felt suddenly warmer, more inviting, like it was all part of something that made her feel like she wasn’t just drifting through life anymore.

“Thanks, Travis,” she said, her voice sincere. “You’re really thoughtful. I didn’t expect you to do something like this for me.”

“It’s no problem,” he said, leaning slightly against the counter. “You’ve been coming here a lot, and I can tell you could use a little fun. Sometimes it’s good to get out of our heads for a while.”

Raya couldn’t help but laugh softly at that. “I think you might be right about that.”

She tucked the book into her bag and stood up, ready to head out, but she lingered for a moment, watching him as he moved behind the counter. There was a quiet understanding between them now—something more than just a casual connection, more than just coffee.

“I’ll see you tonight, then?” she asked, her voice quiet, but there was a playful edge to it.

“You will,” he replied with a smile that held more than a little warmth. “I’ll be here. Don’t be late.”

Raya smiled, feeling the tiniest spark of anticipation stir in her chest. “I won’t.”

As she walked out the door, the cool evening air hit her skin, but the weight of the book in her bag felt like something more now. It wasn’t just about a novel; it was about the small moments that were beginning to build between her and Travis, the little gestures of care that were slowly weaving a deeper connection.

Tonight, she wasn’t just going to an event. She was stepping a little further into something that felt real, something that was just starting to unfold.

And for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t afraid of what it might become.