The bell above the café door chimed softly.
Warm light spilled across polished wood, the scent of coffee curling lazily through the air. Second Shift hadn't changed.
Not really.
Marcus stepped inside like he owned the place.
Not loudly. Not arrogantly.
Just… naturally.
Rings catching the light as he adjusted his sleeve. Watch glinting. Posture relaxed in a way that only came from never having to question your place in the world.
His gaze drifted—
—and then stopped.
Behind the counter.
Pink.
Not soft pink.
Not delicate.
Sharp.
Intentional.
A girl stood there, hair tied back, strands slipping loose like they refused to be controlled. Her apron matched—same bold color, like she was making a point just by existing.
She wasn't smiling.
She wasn't trying to be liked.
She looked… annoyed.
Marcus leaned slightly against the counter.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Four Years Ago
The café had been louder back then.
Jake was already grinning before Marcus even reached the counter.
"This is gonna be good," he muttered, nudging Raxian.
Raxian barely looked up. "Don't care."
Bruce took a slow sip of his coffee, watching without interfering.
Logan sat with one earbud in, attention elsewhere, Ava beside him quietly sipping her drink.
Marcus didn't acknowledge any of them.
He was already focused.
On her.
He leaned forward, resting his elbow casually against the counter.
"Pink hair, pink apron…" he tilted his head slightly, smirk forming, "you always match your attitude too, or is this a special occasion?"
Usually, that worked.
A pause.
A reaction.
A smile.
Something.
Anything.
But Tess?
She didn't even hesitate.
Her eyes lifted—sharp, unimpressed.
"Order something or move."
Jake choked on his drink.
Bruce's cup paused halfway to his lips.
Marcus blinked once.
Then smiled wider.
"Oh, I like this one."
From the table, Jake called out, "Careful, Marcus. She bites."
Marcus didn't look away from her.
"Good."
His voice dropped just slightly.
"I was getting bored."
Tess rolled her eyes, already turning away.
"Then go bother someone else."
And just like that—
Dismissed.
Marcus straightened slowly.
Not offended.
Not irritated.
Something else.
Something new.
His gaze lingered on her for just a second longer.
Then—
A thought.
Quiet.
Simple.
Dangerous.
I want her.
Not love.
Not even close.
Just—
She was the one thing in the room that didn't respond to him.
And that?
That was unacceptable.
Marcus turned, slipping his hands into his pockets as he walked back toward the group.
Jake raised an eyebrow. "Well?"
Marcus smirked.
"She'll get used to me."
Raxian didn't react.
Bruce exhaled softly.
Logan didn't even look up.
Ava hid a small smile behind her cup.
Behind the counter—
Tess pretended she hadn't heard a word.
Present — Four Years Later
The bell chimed again.
Same café.
Same counter.
Same girl.
Marcus stood in the exact same place.
And she didn't even look at him.
Not a glance.
Not a word.
Just continued wiping the counter like he didn't exist.
Marcus tilted his head slightly.
Amused.
Of course.
Of course she'd do this.
She wasn't as sharp-tongued anymore.
Not like before.
Back then, she would've snapped at him within seconds.
Now?
She ignored him.
And somehow—
That was worse.
Or maybe…
More interesting.
His gaze softened, just slightly.
Last night flickered through his mind.
Her head resting against his shoulder.
Breathing slow.
Asleep.
Trusting.
Marcus's fingers shifted faintly at his side.
Tess would deny that ever happened.
Over her dead body.
He almost smiled.
Across the café, things had changed.
Raxian hovered close to Sable, his attention glued to her like the world might take her again if he looked away.
Marcus glanced at them briefly.
Excessive.
Definitely excessive.
Though—
Ava and Logan didn't seem to think so.
They sat close, quiet, comfortable.
Annoyingly natural.
And even Mira—Mira—had found someone.
Evan.
Marcus clicked his tongue internally.
Everyone was pairing off.
Predictable.
Inevitable.
And Tess?
She finally looked at him.
A glare.
Sharp enough to cut.
"What?"
There it was.
Marcus leaned in slightly.
Close enough to disrupt her space.
Not enough to cross the line.
His voice dropped just enough—
"You've been staring at me for five minutes."
Her eyes widened.
Immediate.
Reflexive.
"I have not—"
She cut herself off.
Looked away.
Too quickly.
Color rising to her cheeks.
Marcus smiled.
Slow.
Satisfied.
Still the same.
Still reactive.
Still—
Herself.
And in the quiet space between them—
His thoughts settled.
Clear.
Certain.
Steady.
It's been four years.
I've never waited this long for anything.
His gaze lingered on her just a second longer.
Softer now.
Not a game.
Not entirely.
Tess…
You're worth the wait.