Ava slammed the car door harder than she meant to, the salty ocean breeze whipping her dark hair across her face like a slap. Elyndor bay stretched out before her—a sleepy coastal village hugged by jagged cliffs and endless turquoise waves, where palm-fringed dunes whispered secrets to the wind. She'd driven hours from nowhere-special to this slice of summer paradise, chasing escape from the wreckage Rohan left behind. Three months since his text: *It's not you, it's me. With Priya now.*
She kicked at a clump of pearl-white sand, watching it scatter like her shattered trust. This gig at WaveCrash Cafe was her lifeline—minimum wage, maximum distraction. No more stalking his feeds, seeing Priya draped over him at parties she used to crash. Just brews, beachgoers, and the healing rhythm of tides.
The cafe perched like a bohemian jewel at the bay's edge, thatched roof dancing with tattered banners hawking frosty lassis and sunset cocktails. Surfboards lined the walls like trophies, and the air pulsed with steel drums blending into the sizzle of spiced fritters. Ava shoved through the bamboo door, bell tinkling like hesitant laughter.
"You're late!" A voice boomed from the counter. Auntie Priya—voluminous bun, apron flecked with masala—didn't look up from flipping flatbreads. "First day slacking? Apron on. Tables three and seven—now."
Ava knotted the apron tight, a makeshift shield. "Sorry, cliff road winding. I'm Ava."
"Everyone's Ava here. Don't scorch the brew." Priya shoved a tray her way—plates sticky with fruit rinds and half-gnawed pastries. Ava steadied it and navigated the lunch swarm: families slathered in sunscreen, whispering teens, a surfer hunkered over chilled nut milk in the shadows.
Table three was carnage—crumbs galore, a toppled lassi pooling like regret. She mopped it, stacking debris on autopilot, mind replaying Rohan. *Late replies, stolen glances—how blind was I?* Throat tight, she shoved it down. No tears on shift one.
Table seven: gossiping elders debating village festivals, barely registering her as she cleared their platters. One eyed her worn shorts and messy ponytail—*outsider vibes*—but Ava shrugged it off. Not here to dazzle.
At the counter, Priya thrust a steaming coffee urn. "Menu drill: sweet for tourists, bold for locals. Surfers tip fat, dawdle long."
Ava poured rich ebony streams into clay mugs, the scent anchoring her like driftwood. Peering through the wide window, she watched Elyndor Bay's waves curl sapphire peaks. Surfers speckled the swells—one shredded a monster with liquid grace, popping aerials before gliding to shore with a triumphant yell.
*Cocky,* she mused, but her lips twitched upward. First genuine spark all day.
"Orders!" Priya barked, sliding iced lattes swirled with spice. Ava snatched the tray, sidestepping a ball-chasing toddler. The surfer had ambled inside, seawater dripping from sun-kissed skin. Close up: tall, wiry power from wave battles, board shorts low on hips, a conch-shell pendant swaying.
He grinned as she neared, teeth flashing against scruff. "Iced latte, foam heavy. Make it taste like freedom?"
Ava unloaded the tray, heat rising in her cheeks under hazel eyes flecked like buried treasure. "Freedom's extra. WaveCrash special."
He chuckled, deep and rolling. "Deal. Max. Chasing sets till the bay quiets." He lounged back, arms folded, tracking her pour with lazy intensity.
"Ava." Fingers grazed handing it over—zap of static, pulse tripping. *Rohan's echo—stop.*
"Fits you. Bay-born?" Max sipped, gaze pinning hers.
"Day one." She wiped palms on fabric, retreating. "Savor it."
Chaos erupted. The kid rammed her shin; tray flew. Mango shakes arced—splattering Max's table, drenching his lap in frothy white.
"Shoot, sorry!" Ava lunged with napkins, cheeks aflame, blotting the spill. Her hand brushed thigh—solid, sun-warm—snatched away fast. Eyes met his: mirth, not ire.
"All good." He smirked, claiming the stack. "Adds adventure. Catch you tomorrow, Ava?"
She stammered nonsense, bolting to Priya. The manager chortled. "Surfers. Saltwater charm, tidal drama."
Ava peeked. Max strolled out, flicking shake droplets, snagging his board. At the threshold, he tossed a grin back.
Bell chimed. Her blank-slate summer just got waves.Heart shivering . For the first time her heart felt love and warmth .
Question ❓ Is this a baby attraction or is someone finally falling in love .