Complicated.

8a:

While clutching the Gucci handbag over her right shoulder, Ashley stood near her parked car and stared at the small, family-owned café ahead. She couldn’t believe she was actually going through with this — coffee with, not just one, but two of her exes. For her, it was going to be an hour of awkward conversation, fake smiles, and shifting uncomfortably in her chair.

She inhaled a shaky breath, released it, and looked down at the outfit it took her nearly all morning to pick out. Finding a couple of wrinkles in her skirt, she ran both hands over the front of it, smoothing it out. Now satisfied with her appearance, she replaced her hands around the strap of her purse and forced her stiff legs to move forward.

Right outside the café, she could hear the voice of Neko Case pouring out of the speakers overhead. But once she opened the door and stepped inside, the music was quickly drowned out by the chatter coming from the patrons in need of their daily java boost.

As she scanned the crowded area, hoping to catch a glimpse of Spencer or Aiden, she noticed that the building was longer than it was wide. At one end was a work station, with two cash registers and all the essential appliances needed to make the coffee being served. Next to it were three shelving units stocked with items like coffee mugs and thermoses for purchase. On the other side of the room, there was a small stage, which she assumed was used for open mic nights. A long couch and four small, cushioned chairs were positioned in front of it. In the center of the café, there were a dozen tables scattered about; some square, some round. What she found most interesting about the place was the color choices; lots of browns and oranges, giving off an autumn feel. The colors weren’t very attractive, but they were warm, inviting, cozy.

Nearly every table and chair was occupied; however, not by the two people she was there to meet. She remained where she was for a couple of minutes, searching, until finally, amongst a cluster of people in line to order, she spied the back of Spencer’s head. Keeping the blond in view, Ashley began weaving her way through the people in line.