Chapter Nineteen: He's Mine To Keep

Ava

As I entered the café to escape the cool morning autumn air, the entrance bell's tinkling chime welcomed me. I looked around the cozy, dimly lit room; the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the gentle murmur of conversations embraced me.

My eyes immediately landed on Amelia, my best friend since kindergarten, who was skillfully moving through the crowded tables with a tray expertly balanced on her palm. Her golden-brown hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes sparkled with warmth and mischief as she spotted me.

She called out, her smile as bright as ever, "Hey, Ava!" She waved for me to join her by the window, where the small round table was softly lit by the late afternoon sun.

As I made my way through the crowd of customers, I returned her grin, feeling my heart lighten. "Hey, Amelia! I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."

We hugged each other as I approached her before taking our seats. The café's setting was ideal for a heart-to-heart conversation, and I was aware