crashing quietly | c.l.

Cara's POV

It was two days after Charles left and the café had finally exhaled. The rush was over, the dishes were done, and Cara was reorganizing the same stack of to-go lids for the third time just to keep her hands busy.

Then Carmen walked in.

Effortlessly put together, oversized sunglasses, phone in one hand, casual power in her step. She didn't even look at the menu. Just sat at the bar like it was her place and waited for her drink.

"I didn't text," she said, sliding her phone into her bag. "I know. Rude. But I figured you couldn't say no if I was already here."

"Bold strategy," Cara said, already steaming milk.

"Works for me."

She handed over an oat milk latte. Carmen took one sip, made a satisfied noise, then leaned in slightly.

"So. You and Charles."

"Nope," Cara said immediately.

"Okay," Carmen replied, way too calm. "So defensive. We're starting strong."

Cara turned away to clean the steam wand. "There's nothing happening."

"Oh yeah, totally. You guys definitely just... long-stare each other in corners and emotionally co-wipe down tables for fun."

Cara narrowed her eyes. "He's my friend."

Carmen sipped. "Mm. Cute. Do you lie to your actual friends this confidently, or is it just me?"

Cara opened her mouth, then shut it.

Carmen smiled like a cat. "Thought so."

⸻

They sat at the bar in semi-silence for a while. Just the hum of the café, the clink of a spoon, the soft sound of rain starting outside.

Then Carmen spoke again-gently this time.

"He's different when he talks about you, you know?"

Cara looked up.

"Not in a weird way," Carmen added. "Just... softer. Like this is the one thing in his life that isn't about performance or pressure. It's just real."

Cara didn't respond right away.

Because that terrified her.

Carmen reached across the counter, stole a sugar cube she didn't need. "You don't have to say anything yet. I'm just saying-if you're waiting for a moment where it feels easy and certain and perfectly timed? You're gonna miss it."

Cara stared at the coffee in her hands.

Steam curled around her fingers. Everything felt warm and heavy and kind of unfair.

She hated when people were right.

⸻

Later, after Carmen left, Cara stood in the doorway of the café and looked out at the rain. The street was quiet. The sky was low. And her phone buzzed once in her pocket.

Charles:

Made it to the next city. I miss Soleil already.
Hope you're not reorganizing things just to avoid thinking again.

She didn't answer.

But she smiled.

Just a little.

⸻

he misses soleil aw
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