WHEN WE COLLIDE

TER

the buzzing of my phone. I sig

lo,

lo,

p breath before

you over there?" I can he

to worry about me," I say, but

ven't you co

Mum.

ve been saying ev

ck anytime soon, so I ha

And can you please stop sen

p you, that's why I sent

igh. "I don't need help,

orgive yourself and find the happiness you deserve," she says, a

number from a previous client and wants a cake delivered for her daughter's birthday. I suggest we meet up to discuss more details

nd I call him almost immediately

speaking.

uff, like he wa

u." There's a brief pause o

you double," he says, sounding

you talk

up, but trust me, I'm not intereste

to talk about your sister's b

ment. "Sorry about

e best if we me

he

Gro

ar café only 15 minu

one walks into the café. I look up, hoping it's him, but it's just another customer looking for a seat. Frustrated,

mber, someone slides into the seat across from me. I glance up and

ing me?" I ask,

," he retorts

realization. "Y

am," he replies

e all this while?"

e until I got he

loss fo

? Let's get this o

k hair is slightly tousled, like he just rolled out of bed. He looks tired, maybe

"Okay, well, let's talk about the cake. Your mu

, she's turning ten next week. Mum wanted

to a blank page. "Do you have any idea

thing chocolate, though. And maybe somethin

hocolate unicorn cake. I can

equests. As we talk, I notice Jeremiah's demeanor start to soften. He's still guarde

between us. I start to gather my thing

. "About the misunderstanding. My mum has this habit of try

it. Honestly, I wasn't expecting

y. "Yeah, about that... I didn't mean to come of

e all have our things. And so

tands up. "Well, I'll see you

ready," I say, watch

. There's something about Jeremiah that intrigues me, someth

the couch. My mind keeps replaying our interaction, the way his eyes softened when

's no use. I keep wondering what his story is, why he's so

across my living room. I make myself a cup of tea and curl

ing new, something unexpected. And maybe