Bently

Is it strange that I’m dreading work this morning? 

Mister.A

Nah

I know what you mean

It’s been a fun weekend, though!

You know, talking to you and everything

That was lame

Sorry

Bently

It’s not lame

I was going to say something similar, if I’m being honest

But I do have to focus on work today

As much as you love to distract me 

;)

Adrian smiled at his phone as he unlocked the cafe, typing out a cheeky response that was definitely good flirting and not him being a total loser. Still, the loser routine seemed to work on Bently. Or maybe it was just because Bently was looking for someone sincere, who wasn’t after a quick lay. Maybe just treating Bently like a person was enough. 

Damn. That bar was in hell. He should remember to tell Bently to raise his standards later. But for the moment, he had to focus on getting everything ready for opening. His parents would be back from their conference late, so it was just him and Winter, still. But Adrian didn’t mind tending to the shop. It was quiet and refreshing. He didn’t have to be anyone but himself in those soft mornings, before the rush started and he’d have to turn on the charm for the customers. 

Winter would be in when the shop opened, so Adrian busied himself with cleaning and prepping for the long day ahead. It was strange without his father in the kitchen, too, getting everything ready on that end, but Adrian managed fine on his own. Once the shop was open, bright and early, the first few customers started stumbling through the door. Most of them were office workers who populated the offices across the street. 

And one of them was Callum Bruin. 

Adrian didn’t know why Callum always insisted on coming to his coffee shop. Nebula Cafe may have been the closest in proximity to Bruin Enterprises, but it was far from the only one. And given that they hated each other, it seemed odd for Callum to continuously walk through those doors. 

Even dating back to primary school, Callum was always a serious one. Watching him at the back of the line adjusting his watch, Adrian was struck with the memory of them as children. Even after falling and skinning his knee at recess, Callum never cried—never made a sound of discomfort. He was always serious, frowning—more like scowling—as if the whole world was beneath him. 

And that was precisely why every time Callum stepped foot in his cafe, Adrian had to prepare himself mentally for the interaction. He knew, every time, how it would go—because Callum was perfectly predictable—but he still stupidly tried for a different result each time. 

As Callum drew closer to the register, so did the soft scent of leather. It itched Adrian’s nose, but he did his best not to react. That had to be the reason Callum paraded his scent everywhere he went—he wanted the reactions. He wanted people to know he was as above them as he claimed to be. So, every morning, Adrian plastered on a smile, and he pretended not to notice. 

“Same as always, Mr. Bruin?” Adrian kept his voice chipper, hopeful that Callum had put their spat from the other day behind him. The last thing he wanted at 6 in the morning was for Callum to lecture him. 

Callum let out a soft, hardly perceptible sigh. “How many times have I told you to call me Callum? Mr. Bruin is my father.”

Adrian shrugged. “And you’re not also a Mr. Bruin?” He teased, and Callum pursed his lips in that annoyed way he always did when he was around Adrian. It made Adrian’s blood absolutely boil.  

“To answer your question—yes, I will have my usual.” Callum pulled out his wallet and extracted the exact amount of change necessary to purchase his order. He never put his coffees on his card, which Adrian always found a little strange. 

Adrian accepted the cash, and they exchanged no further pleasantries. Callum was just a difficult man to talk to. He always had been. Honestly, it was a wonder Beck had gotten through Callum’s tough exterior enough to be considered a friend. Maybe it was just because their families were close, but Adrian suspected that Callum did actually care for the Caddel heir. 

Callum stepped to the side to wait for his coffee, and Adrian got busy catching up on some of the orders just as Winter rushed through the back door to clock in. Winter took over the register, and Adrian focused on making the drinks, which was a blessing in disguise, because he needed the time to sink into his thoughts. 

He’d been distracted since talking to Bently. It was silly, because there was nothing more to their relationship than a screen, and yet, Adrian felt like their connection ran deep. Even standing there, at work, with a million things to do, Adrian found himself yearning to take out his phone and send another message. He had to practically restrain himself as he finished up Callum’s drink. 

Callum was typing away on his phone when Adrian walked over to hand the drink to him. At first, Callum didn’t even look up, so Adrian just stood there for a few moments, feeling like an idiot. Then, Adrian cleared is throat. “Um. Order for Callum?” 

Callum finally raised his eyes, and Adrian could have sworn that for a single moment, he caught the Bruin heir’s cheeks tinting slightly pink. 

“Thank you, Adrian.” 

Callum reached for the drink, their fingers brushing together as he took the coffee cup. A jolt of lightning immediately spawned from their point of contact, making Adrian’s whole body shiver. He looked up into Callum’s ocean eyes in surprise, but there wasn’t a single indication on Callum’s face that he felt that, too. 

“Something the matter?” Callum asked, his voice a monotonous drawl. The same tone he used with everyone, because Adrian wasn’t special, and he never would be. 

“No.” Adrian scowled, pulling his hand away roughly. He wiped his fingers off on his apron as if that would get rid of the feeling. “Enjoy your drink.” 

Callum hummed, nodded, and took a sip, walking out the door without another word. 

And that was the other thing Adrian absolutely hated about the Bruin heir. For their whole lives, Adrian had felt it. That lightning strike every time they touched. The way his breath hitched whenever Callum got too close. How his body grew hotter and hotter with every interaction they had. 

And how Callum showed absolutely no indication that he felt it, too. 

It was absolutely maddening. A feeling Adrian had only read about in books. But it didn’t make any sense to him, either. He shouldn’t have felt that way—not about Callum, a born and bred alpha destined to marry Courtney Hart and take over a huge fortune. Not to mention, the feeling was clearly one-sided. Every time Adrian felt it, Callum looked the same as always—stoic, serious, unbothered. Surely he would have reacted, too, if the feeling was as intense for him as it was for Adrian. 

But Callum just turned and walked out of the cafe, taking his coffee and most of Adrian’s dignity with him. Adrian scowled and tugged his apron off. The cafe had settled down to a lull, and he needed some air. “I’m taking a break.” 

Winter turned to Adrian, the surprise obvious on his face, but he didn’t push. Adrian knew he wouldn’t, which was why he didn’t try to hide his annoyance whenever Winter was around. Of course, Adrian was sure that Winter thought his thorny attitude whenever the Bruin heir was around was due to Adrian’s unrelenting distaste for Bruin Enterprises. But it was far more than that. More than anyone could ever know. 

Adrian stepped outside and pulled out his phone, looking at Bently’s messages again. Well… maybe there was one place he could let it out. 

Mister.A

I have a question

It’s kind of weird, though

Bently

A strange question? 

Mysterious 

Why not just lead with the question? 

Mister.A

Because I don’t want to scare you off

Bently

You know what scares me

It’s all the alpha dicks I keep getting in my messages 

Which is still happening, by the way

In case you were under the illusion you’d saved me from it

:P

Adrian let out a huff of laughter through his nose. He decided it was best to just rip off the band-aid. 

Mister.A

Do you believe in fated mates?

Bently

Fated mates?

You mean two people who are literally made for each other? Destined to be together against all odds?

I think it’s a nice thought, although I can’t say I think it’s all that realistic to say soul mates can always be together, even if they are “fated”

Why? 

Mister.A

I think I know who mine is

But…

He doesn't feel it

Bently

You found your fated, and yet you’re on this dating app?

Mister.A

Didn’t you say it yourself? 

It’s unrealistic to say soul mates will always end up together

Bently

I suppose I did say that, yes

But why are you talking to me, instead of going after him?

Mister.A

Because I can’t

Even if he felt it too, it wouldn’t work out

Besides, he’s an alpha too 

So we can’t really

You know

Mate

Not the way you’re supposed to be able to, anyway

Bently

Why can’t you?

Maybe he does feel it, and he’s just nervous to tell you

Mister.A

It’s because of who he is

Like, you’d never believe me if I told you

Bently

Try me

Mister.A

Alright…

It’s Callum Bruin