The soft chime of the café door cut through the quiet hum of evening chatter.
Lana walked in, her heels clicking with purpose, confidence wrapping around her like a designer coat.
She didn't come here for coffee — not really. She came because Leo Ayden always stopped by this café after work. Same time, same table, same black espresso.
And right on cue, he was there.
Head bent over his phone, sleeves rolled up, tie loose — the kind of careless elegance that made people stare without realizing it.
Lana took a deep breath, fixing her hair before stepping up to the counter.
> "One caramel latte, extra shot," she said smoothly.
Her plan was simple: spill coffee. Apologize. Start a conversation. Make him remember her face.
But fate, as always, had its own wicked humor.
As she turned, someone bumped into her — and the latte slipped from her hand, splashing straight across Leo's sleeve.
Lana froze.
> "Oh my god— I'm so sorry!"
Leo looked up, startled but calm. His eyes — sharp, gray, unreadable — locked with hers.
For a split second, Lana forgot how to breathe.
> "No harm done," he said, grabbing a napkin. "Though I can't say my shirt agrees."
His tone wasn't annoyed — it was teasing. And that only made it worse.
> "I— I'll pay for the cleaning," she stammered. "Or a new shirt. Or—"
> "Relax," he interrupted, smiling faintly. "You're not the first person to assault me with caffeine today."
Lana blinked, then laughed despite herself. "You have terrible luck, Mr...?"
> "Ayden," he replied, offering his hand. "Leo Ayden."
She pretended to hesitate, though her pulse was racing. "Lana," she said finally, shaking his hand. "Lana Brooks."
The warmth of his hand lingered longer than it should've.
> "Tell you what," Leo said, glancing at her. "You can make it up to me — by having coffee with me. I'll even buy the next one, so we call it even."
Lana smiled, her heart beating faster — but not because of the accident.
> "Deal," she said softly. "But next time, I promise not to spill it on you."
As they sat down together, the faint buzz of the café seemed to fade away.
Her plan had just begun.
But for the first time since she'd sworn revenge…
she wasn't sure who was about to get burned.