So I asked him to meet me for coffee, which was why I sat in Alberto’s at ten to two, trying to not watch the clock and trying not to get my hopes up that he would even show.

It was cold outside, the wind was biting and blustery, but it didn’t stop the good people of Surry Hills from being out in it. They walked dogs and pushed prams, holding takeaway coffee cups as they went. Once a not-so-great suburb, Surry Hills was now the hub of trendy coffee houses, cool clothes, and eclectic homewares stores. I liked it here, and although the move had seemed rather daunting six months before, I knew I’d made the right decision. I’d found a home here. The baristas at Alberto’s called me by name. The lady in the fresh produce store always kept a bag of organic pumpkin pasta behind the counter for me because it sold out so fast. My neighbours were nice, not that I spoke to them much, but the move here had been a positive one.

Leaving Rob and being true to myself was the best thing I could have done.

And then there was my new support group meetings, which I was incredibly proud of. And then there was Jordan, and something sparked inside me. I didn’t know if it would lead to anything, but it was nice to feel that flicker of hope.

At exactly five to two, said flicker of hope walked up to the café door. Jordan, wearing blue jeans, a white sweater with a brown jacket, and boots. I was almost a little disappointed that he wasn’t wearing a bright scarf to match equally bright shoes, but he still looked great.

He put his hand on the door, let out a long breath, and pushed his way in. He scanned the coffee shop, so I stood up and he smiled when he saw me before walking over. “Hi,” he said, breathily.

“Let me order you a coffee,” I suggested. “You don’t have dairy, right?”

“Believe me,” he said. “Nobody wants me to have dairy.”

I laughed. “Duly noted.”

“Soy latte is fine, no sugar. Thank you.”

I went to the counter, ordered and paid, and the barista said she’d bring our coffees over. I went back to Jordan and smiled as I sat opposite him. “You found the place okay?”

He nodded. “I work not far from here.”

“Where is that exactly?” I asked. “I mean, we haven’t really even got that far in a conversation, have we?”

“Five minutes a day doesn’t leave time for much discussion, especially when I tend to talk a lot.”

I grinned at him. “You do. But there’s been no nervous rambling yet today.”