The next few days at Sunflower Brew were a blur of stolen glances and teasing. Mia couldn't stop thinking about that kiss. Every time Kai brushed past her or whispered something silly, her heart did that annoying flippy thing again. She wasn't sure if she was falling for him or just caught up in his charm, but either way, she was hooked.
One evening, they got stuck with the late-night shift. The cafe was open until 10 p.m., and the last customers had just left. Mia was mopping the floor, humming to herself, when Kai turned off the main lights, leaving just the fairy lights glowing.
"Kai, what are you doing?" she asked, pausing with the mop.
"Setting the mood," he said, hopping onto the counter and patting the space next to him. "Come on, take a break. We've earned it."
Mia hesitated, then climbed up beside him, her legs swinging. The cafe felt different at night—quiet, intimate, like their own little world. Kai handed her a leftover strawberry pastry, and they shared it, laughing when crumbs got everywhere.
"You're messy," he teased, brushing a crumb off her cheek. His fingers lingered again, and Mia's breath hitched.
"You're messier," she shot back, trying to keep her cool. But her voice was shaky, and Kai noticed.
He tilted his head, his grin turning softer. "You know, Mia, I like you. Like, really like you."
Her heart stopped. "Y-you do?"
"Yeah." He shifted closer, his knee bumping hers. "You're sweet, funny, and… you make this job way more fun than it should be."
Mia's face was on fire. She wanted to say something clever, but all she managed was, "I… like you too."
Kai's eyes lit up. He leaned in, slower this time, giving her a chance to pull away. But she didn't. Their lips met again, longer this time, sweet and warm like the summer night outside. When they parted, Mia was dizzy, her hands gripping the edge of the counter.
"Kai…" she whispered, half-laughing. "We're gonna get fired."
"Nah," he said, lacing his fingers with hers. "We're just… keeping the cafe's secrets."