“Someone’s glowing,” he called without looking up.

Aiden was my best friend. And yes, he flirted constantly—called me beautiful, winked when he handed me receipts, offered himself up like a sacrificial husband whenever I complained about cramps—but it was harmless. He didn’t have a chance. He knew it. I knew it. We just didn’t say it out loud.

He had been my favorite coworker since I started working at the café full-time. We moved in tandem behind the counter, restocking napkins, cleaning the espresso machine, our rhythm so natural we barely had to speak.

“I passed my driving test,” I said smugly as I dropped my purse onto the counter and waved my license at him.

“Finally,” he drawled, his voice teasing but with a hint of admiration. “You only failed like…three times before this, right?”

“Jealousy is an ugly look, Aiden.” I shot him a playful glare, then added, “Four, actually. But who’s counting?”

“Jealousy?” He almost choked on his laugh, setting the newspaper down. “I’m just concerned for the general public, Bev. The city’s doomed,” he said, reaching across the counter to hand me a steaming chai latte already made just the way I liked it. “Guess I’ll have to live fast before you run me over.”

“You’re concerned because now I can flee the scene when you inevitably say something dumb in public.”

“Uncalled for,” he muttered. “Truly.”

I smirked, blowing gently on my chai before taking a sip.

“Did you call your mom yet?” he asked.

“Not yet. She’s still at work. I’ll call her tonight.”

He nodded. “Well, I’m proud of you, girl. Look at you. Driver’s license. Running this place like a pro. Mary told me the other day that you’re running the café better than she ever did.”

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. “She didn’t say that.”

“She did,” he insisted. “Swear on my life.”

I smiled faintly. “Well, speaking of that…”

Aiden cocked a brow.

“I think I want to do something else once she’s back from her road trip. I’ve been thinking about finding my own apartment. Getting my own space…”

“Like…quit? You wanna leave this caffeine kingdom behind?” he asked with a dramatic gasp.

“Don’t make it harder,” I said, laughing. “I just… I’ve been here for almost two years. I love this place, but I don’t want it to be my forever. I want to find something new. Something just mine.”

Aiden studied me for a moment. Then he nodded. “I get that. And I think she’ll understand. Well then,” he mused, reaching for the SF Weekly, “let’s see what fate has in store for Beverly Price.”

I leaned against the counter and chuckled as he flipped it open dramatically, scanning the classifieds.