The debt between us Ch 19

Posted by admind, ? Views, Released on March 10, 2025

Chapter 19

Eighteen months had passed since I’d last seen Ethan Marina,

Marina Blue had become a neighborhood fixture. I’d expanded the menu beyond coffee to include locally–sourced pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and a lunch selection that drew crowds ever

in the mid–afternoon lull. I’d hired a staff of eight,

most of them art students or musicians who brought their creativity to both the drinks and the atmosphere.

I was happy. Genuinely, authentically happy.

The bell above the door chimed on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. I didn’t look up, focused on training our newest barista, Maya, on our signature pour–over technique.

“See how the water spirals from the center outward?” I explained, demonstrating the motion. “It’s all about giving the grounds time to bloom. You can actually smell

the difference when it’s done right.”

Maya nodded, her dark curls bouncing. “That’s amazing. What kind of beans are

these?”

“Ethiopian Yirgacheffe,” I said, inhaling the rich aroma. “Notes of blueberry and

dark chocolate.”

I didn’t notice the new customer approach the counter until I heard Tyler, another barista, ask, “What can I get for you, sir?”

“The house specialty, Marina Blue,” said a voice I would have recognized in my

sleep.

I turned, accidentally meeting those familiar dark eyes.

Ethan had cut his hair short, military–style, and lost weight. His once–muscular frame now lean and almost gaunt in an expensive charcoal coat. His face was thinner too, cheekbones more prominent, dark circles under his eyes.

He seemed to be making a conscious effort to smile, lips straining against the weight of unspoken words.

“Liv,” he said softly, just my name, but loaded with meaning I refused to interpret. I immediately looked away, turning back to Maya. “Let’s try another batch. This

time, you pour.”

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“Perfect,” I said when she finished. “Now let’s talk about the timing for a cortado.” When I finally ran out of things to teach Maya, I moved toward the back room,

needing a moment to gather myself,

Behind me, I heard a crash and turned to see Ethan standing beside his table, his coffee cup overturned, dark liquid spreading across the reclaimed wood and dripping onto the floor.

“Sorry,” he mumbled to Tyler, who rushed over with a cloth. “Clumsy of me.”

I glanced at the spill but kept walking, disappearing into my office and closing the door. I leaned against it, eyes closed, counting breaths like my therapist had

taught me. One, two, three in. One, two, three out.

The knock, when it came, wasn’t a surprise.

“We’re in the middle of the afternoon rush,” I called out, a transparent lie given the nearly empty café.

The door opened anyway, and Ethan stood there, his tall frame filling the doorway.. “Five minutes,” he said. “Please.”

Before I could answer, he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

I moved behind my desk, putting the solid oak barrier between us. “This is

inappropriate. I have employees out there.”

“They’re fine,” he said, remaining by the door as if giving me the space I clearly needed. “That kid with the beard is handling things.”

I crossed my arms. “What do you want, Ethan?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were back in New York?” he asked, his voice carefully

neutral.

“Why would I?” I countered.

His eyes dropped to my left hand, now bare of any ring. I followed his gaze and noticed for the first time that he still wore his wedding band–the same one I’d bought after our courthouse wedding, worried he wouldn’t want to wear it. I’d found it in his dresser drawer months later, untouched.