After my pleasant time with Leo, we both separated to do our own thing, but not before we exchanged numbers! I still couldn’t believe he was my savior all those years ago. The wonderful day had only been enlightened even more with this revelation. My smile couldn’t be any cheerier and my step couldn't be any more peppier. Life was looking up in a lot of ways I couldn’t help but feel grateful for how my summer was going. 

It’s crazy to think how I hyper focused on meeting Dylan again; thinking how anxiety inducing it might have been. Which it definitely was, but we’re now in recovering mode, at least I hoped we were! That’s how it appeared anyways. And now I’m making new connections with old friends such as Leo and Stef!

I am happy. My smile was ear to ear when I strolled into The Brew. It was the later afternoon now and the shop wasn’t as busy or crowded. I spotted Stef immediately with his back turned. It appeared that he was assisting the machine. His beach blond hair was tied up in a loose bun and his shoulders seemed tense.

I approached the coffee bar quietly so I didn’t alarm my dear friend. I think the machine jammed or something. I swiftly slid on the stool and pulled out my phone. 

I spotted a text from Dylan. 

Dyl Pickle 🥒: hey do you have any plans tonight?

Me: I think I’m free. My parents are having a date night tonight. 

It wasn’t unusual for my parents to take Fridays or sometimes Saturdays to go out with just the two of them. Married almost 30 years and they still go out like they did when they were in their 20s. It’s very admirable and certainly always made me happy to see. 

Dyl Pickle 🥒: do you remember our local fair every summer? It’s opening up tonight and I was wondering if you wanted to go. I know you hate heights and stuff so we can just walk around and play those rigged games :) 

A wide grin creased my lips at the text. It made me feel like I was getting asked on a date, which is comical since I haven’t been on a date in a hot minute. Plus it’s only Dylan, not really a date. Right? 

Me: Actually in Florida, my friends made me go on rides to help conquer my fear, which helped! Sounds like fun regardless. What time?

Dyl Pickle 🥒 is typing…

The bubbles to indicate texting were there for a solid minute. It’d go from nothing to those dots again. I wondered if I had said something I shouldn’t have. But did I really say anything wrong?

Dyl Pickle 🥒: I get off around 6 and it opens around that time. Let me get home and change and I’ll pick you up, is that okay?

My brain definitely turned off because the ‘I’ll pick you up’ made it sound very date-like. Stop that Noah, it’s not like that. Why do I even think that anyway?? Maybe it’s because I’m in such a good mood that I’m reading too much into nothing. 

Me: Sounds perfect :) See you then! 

Dyl Pickle 🥒: I’ll let you know when I’m on my way :D

“Who are you texting?” Stef interrupted my trance with my phone. “Got a hot date or something? You’ve got a smile the size of the crescent moon.”

I felt my face heat up at the accusation but I smoothly said, “nah I’m just making plans for this evening with a friend. Just a friend.” I found myself emphasizing the last part because Stef was a cheeky bastard.

He had tan arms wrapped over his chest with a lopsided smile. “Who? Dyl?” I’m not sure why I tried to conceal the person's identity. That was until I saw the blond’s face. He had a smirk and slitted eyes. 

“Why do you care anyways? Yeah it’s Dylan.” I found myself getting worked up over it. It was just annoying that it always has to be a romantic implication with Stef. It can never be platonic. 

He shrugged and slouched down to elbow the counter. Resting his hands into his face, he chuckled. “I was only joking but I’m sorry. I know you don’t like when I do that. It’s just fun to mess with you.” His laugh morphed into a sympathetic gaze. 

Shaking my head I grumbled, “yeah yeah it’s fine. It’s just frustrating to have male friends and trying to defend yourself that is all you are. Especially when both parties aren’t straight.” I put my head down on the counter, breaking eye contact from Stef. My anger felt justified but there was another layer to it I ignored.

He hummed in response. I just took in the scent of coffee trying to relax. 

“I just worry about Dylan sometimes. He’s finally getting his life together and you show up out of nowhere. I don’t want to see him go down that dark path again. He’s finally recovering ya know. If you were to ever pursue him, be cautious of it.” There was a serious tone used. It was the same as the previous time when Stef spoke about him. 

Slowly raising my head, I lock my brown eyes with Stef’s. His stare was intense and almost dangerous. It was clear that day that he cared a lot about Dylan. 

“I used to be in love with him, Stef. He broke my heart. We’re better off friends.” I matched the serious voice he used with me. “I’m fine with just being friends, nothing more.” That layer was still buried.

“What if he wanted more?” He deadpanned.

My eyes blinked repeatedly while my brows knitted together in curiosity. “I don’t know. I never considered that.” There’s absolutely no way he’d want to be with me in that way. Not after everything. 

“That’s what I’m talking about. Don’t lead him on or make him think there’s more to it. That includes going to the fair with him tonight.” 

No one else was in the cafe. The only noises were the classical music playing, the AC blasting, and the espresso machine Stef I presumed just fixed. Our eyes were battling in a raging stare contest. I parted my lips to say something but I didn’t have the words.

How did he know? 

“This isn’t a date though, unless he said otherwise to you, since I never uttered a word of where we were going.” I witnessed his eyes grew narrow.

He sighed. “It was never called a date and obviously there’s no way of knowing Dylan’s true feelings, however, I think you should watch how you treat him. It’s awesome to be kind and to compliment him. But if a guy came up to you and said all these nice things all the time sincerely, I know you’d think it was more than just pure kindness.” Stef took his arms off the counter and stood up straight. 

“It just seems from the beginning you were always trying to set us up, but now you’re withdrawing?” I stood up from the stool and towered over the counter in spite. “I told you I’m not interested in him like that. Despite that, I’m not going to lead him on or give him false hope by being nice to him? Isn’t that a little absurd? ‘Don’t be too nice?’ How patronizing is that?” The acidity in my voice spat out like venom. 

I know he’s just looking out for Dylan but it's starting to get under my skin the way he’s speaking to me. It felt like he was picking a scab off, trying to dig under the layer I continued to ignore.

Stef placed his hands up in defense, recognizing my hostility. “Alright, let’s backtrack.” He took a couple breaths to calm his own uneasiness. “I’ll admit at first it was fun to tease you about dating and being a couple, but I wasn’t being serious. Yeah Dyl isn’t straight, but that doesn’t mean I automatically wish for you guys to be a couple.” He paused, taking a moment to observe my reaction so far. Stef glanced away and fixated his eyes onto something else in the distance. 

“There’s still parts of the story you don’t know about him, and it’s not my place to share them. But I am extremely protective of Dylan as if he was my own brother. In the years of your absence, we grew incredibly close. Whether you’re romantically involved or just friends, my points still stand. I was serious when I told you that if you hurt him, we won’t be friends.” He snapped his eyes back onto me and bore them intensely into mine. “I hope you understand what I’m trying to convey.”

I nodded. “I just don’t understand, does he like me like that or something? That just seems illogical, I’ve been here less than a month so far.” 

Stef gave a genuine shrug. “I have no idea, but you’re hot, charming, smart, and ya’ll have a past so anything is possible. Besides, love isn’t measured in time. You can know someone for a week and know they’re the person you want in your life but also be with someone for 4 years and realize it will never work out. I digress though.”

Finally, I cracked a smile. “It’s hard to stay mad at you when you say shit like that.” Shaking my head, I sat back down on the chair. 

He also let out a chuckle, “I really don’t know what he’s thinking or feeling. He just tells me when you’re hanging out and where usually. I’m only putting up precautions because he seems to be totally stoked to have you back. Platonic or not, I have zero clue.”

I hummed. “So you weren’t scheming to set us up?” 

He snorted out an exaggerated laugh. “Scheme? Are you crazy? I was just being a dickhead. I don’t know how I have a wife and kid with my level of skill for dating. I could never set friends up.”

Suddenly, I remembered Dylan calling him an idiot and that his ‘speaking in codes’ were fucking annoying. I found myself face palming. “You’re a dumbass Stef, I hate you.”

“Mmmm no you don’t! But I am a dumbass, you got me there.” He smirked. “I digress, I apologize for all the annoyance, think of it as payback for ghosting me.” 

“Alright, fair.” I smiled despite my slight aggravation. I slid off the stool, wanting to head out soon. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning Stef. I need to get home and relax. You stressed me the fuck out.” I pitifully laughed because damn, he really got me here thinking that he was intelligent enough to plot such a plan. I started to head for the door. 

With my back still turned and my feet still moving, I placed my hand up to indicate a goodbye. 

For the millionth time, we’re just going as friends. I thought while walking towards my house. That layer, still intact.