I had just assumed Sara would be CEO as we move forward, since she’s been the de facto leader from the beginning. I thought maybe I would head up app development or something.

“I was thinking I could be COO,” she says. “I really like all the organizational and operations efficiency stuff.”

“But you’ve always been the leader...”

“I’ve been the organizer,” she says. “I’m good at that. The planning and execution of stuff. But you’ve been the real leader. The moral leader. You were the one who first realized we were going astray, so you should be the one to lead us forward. You have the vision for it.”

Her eyes on me, unblinking, I feel truly seen. Sara doesn’t just have a crush on me, she understands and appreciates the beliefs I hold at my core.

“Alright,” I say. “I’ll take the job. As long as you’re by my side.”

“Always,” she says.

Sara leans toward me until her lips are just centimeters from mine. My heart pounds against my chest. She leans forward and brushes her lips against mine, and I am flooded with excitement and relief somehow at the same time. I kiss her back, and it’s like letting out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

Epilogue

Roberto

two months later

“That’ll be $4.65,” the barista says. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to five-dollar coffee.

I scan my phone and thank her as she hands me my cup. They are super busy today, as students caffeinate and cram for their last finals before heading home for the summer. I make sure to add a good tip.

Across the room, a familiar face catches my eye. Braden is sitting at one of the tables near the milk and sugar station with a laptop in front of him. But he is not typing. Instead, he is looking at me. I decide I don’t need Splenda that badly, and head for the door.

“Robbie!” he yells after me. “Wait!”

I glance over my shoulder. He is hurrying toward me, backpack in one hand and laptop tucked under his other arm. And for some reason, I do wait. I guess I’m bad at looking someone in the eyes and then turning away. Even someone like Braden.

He is breathing heavily when he reaches me.

“I’m on my way somewhere,” I say. Because it’s true, but also because I don’t want anything to do with whatever he thinks is about to happen. “I need to keep moving, but you can walk with me for a minute.”

He nods. “How are you?” he asks.

“Pretty good... You chased me out of a coffeehouse to ask me how I am?”

He looks down at the pavement. “I, um.” He clears his throat. “Also wanted to see how your mom was doing.”