I wish that I could walk you home

 "You're a Barista?" It was the only question Rafe could think of. Something like a rock got caught in his throat. He was about to choke, sitting there on the bar stool at the new Down Town Coffee shop.  

She was totally mesmerizing with a sweet smile, and those braids just drove him crazy. So much he wanted to know. What was her name? Where did she come from? She was too perfect to be true.

He nursed his cup of fresh coffee with just a splash of milk. Here he was trying to be well caffeinated before he met up with Kimmy, who was still a no-show.

"Something like that," she said her name was Chili.

"Is that really your name?" He wanted to ask about the chili.

"I'm afraid so," she shrugged as if not to give him a boring story. "I cook a little."

"Oh," Rafe nodded. He pressed his best smile as if maybe they could keep this conversation going. But no, Kimmy showed up.

"Whatcha doing?" She said in that catchy voice of her.

He straightened up as if she'd killed the mood. He showed her to a booth and Chili brought breakfast menus. He knew they needed to have breakfast first. That's when Chili mentioned the Angel Waffles. It was their best seller.

"Let's have that with strawberries and whipped cream," Rafe nodded as if he knew it would take Kimmy forever to decide on anything.

"Hmm," her mouth twitched. "Sounds good."

Rafe looked at her blankly. Really, they didn't talk much. It was like they both used each other on kissing techniques. Maybe that's all it ever was.

Chili brought Kimmy hot tea with lemon. 

"We have a nice chicory, if you'd like to try that one," Chili mentioned to Rafe. He nodded. His eyes were so big as he looked at Chili and her enchanting smile. Instantly, he wanted to let those words slip, I LOVE YOU. But he looked at Kimmy who was looking at Chili too and Kimmy only frowned.

Something told Rafe this might be their last meal together. Soon enough, Chili brought the waffles with all the fixings. Both ate as if this was too good to let it go cold.  It was quiet and Rafe was certain he wouldn't let it get to him. Yet, it drove him crazy all the while. What did Kimmy want?

"Maybe..maybe we could take a walk," he said as if he would have to fake a smile with a sigh.

"No, I don't think so."

Had he heard her correctly? Kimmy loved walking around holding hands. She practically wanted to be attached at the hip. Always smiling as if they were the happiest couple on the planet. Rafe nodded as if he understood. Really, he had nothing planned. Would they try to find an ally with a great brick wall and just let her take selfies of them together with her phone? She did love her social media.

"I'm going back to Seattle." She said it as if a contest was over. There were no prizes to be given out.

Rafe set up and looked at her even-lipped. Was it over? Really?

"It's been fun, really." She sounded as if she knew this script through and through. She was breaking up with him. "But I don't think it's good for us to be pinned down. Life is short. We need to go our separate ways...before it's too late."

It felt like a relief to hear, but it stung deep. It wasn't supposed to. He was the one who was through with her, but here he was with his hands clasped together, feeling a little dizzy. Possibly faint. 

"Oh." That was about all he could get out of his mouth as he watched her get up and walk away. Was it really over? Was it that easy? It was such a shock. About then, Chili came by to get the plates from breakfast. "Are you done?" She told him the bill had been paid.

"Huh?" Rafe looked up at her sweet face. Yes, he was in love all over again. Except, she was kind and not the bossy type like Kimmy who always kept him on his toes. He squinted as if he knew he'd smiled too much. He was even lipped wondering if he'd ever get this relationship stuff right.