The days after Ryan’s return slipped back into a strange new “normal.”
He’d stop by the bar almost every evening sitting at his usual seat near the counter, grinning like always, teasing Ezekiel about his serious face and bad attitude.
Ezekiel would roll his eyes, pretend to be annoyed, and scold him for talking too much while working.
But deep down, every time Ryan walked through that door, something warm flickered in his chest a comfort he didn’t want to admit.
And when Ryan didn’t show up, the bar felt just a little emptier.
⸻
One evening, the bar was more crowded than usual loud music, chatter, the clink of glasses.
Ezekiel was behind the counter, wiping down mugs when the bell above the door chimed.
He didn’t need to look up. He already knew.
Ezekiel: muttering under his breath “Here comes the troublemaker…”
Sure enough, Ryan slid into his usual seat, flashing that familiar grin.
Ryan: “Evening, handsome.”
Ezekiel: deadpan “Evening, annoyance.”
Ryan: chuckles “You missed me. Admit it.”
Ezekiel: “I didn’t. Now, what do you want to order before I kick you out?”
Ryan: “Your heart.”
Ezekiel: glares “Try again.”
Ryan: laughing “Alright, alright. A latte, extra love, please.”
Ezekiel shook his head, fighting the smile tugging at his lips as he started making the drink.
Everything felt normal again until she walked in.
⸻
A young woman with long black hair and a bright smile approached the bar.
She glanced around, then spotted the only empty seat right next to Ryan.
Woman: “Excuse me, is this seat taken?”
Ryan: smiling politely “Not at all.”
She sat down, brushing rain from her jacket, and Ryan, being naturally friendly, struck up a conversation.
Soon, the two were laughing.
Ezekiel froze mid-swipe of the counter.
He told himself it didn’t matter.
That Ryan could talk to whoever he wanted.
But for some reason, his chest tightened.
He glanced over again Ryan leaning close, saying something that made her giggle.
Ezekiel scowled.
Mira: passing by with a tray, whispering “Uh-oh. Someone looks jealous.”
Ezekiel: snapping “I’m not jealous.”
Mira: “You’re staring holes into their heads.”
Ezekiel: “I’m just… making sure he’s not bothering the customers.”
Mira: smirking “Right. Sure.”
Ezekiel looked away, cheeks warm, trying to focus on his work.
But he couldn’t help glancing back again… and again.
⸻
A while later, Ryan stood to pay for both drinks including hers.
The woman thanked him and left.
Ryan came up to the counter, humming softly.
Ezekiel crossed his arms.
Ezekiel: “So. You’re paying for strangers now?”
Ryan: blinking “Huh? Oh, her? She dropped her wallet. Thought I’d help out.”
Ezekiel: grumbles “You didn’t have to.”
Ryan: smirking “Why? You jealous?”
Ezekiel: flustered “W-what?! No! Why would I be jealous?!”
Ryan: “Because I wasn’t flirting with you for once.”
Ezekiel: glaring, face red “You’re insufferable.”
Ryan: leans closer over the counter “But you missed it, didn’t you?”
Ezekiel: “No!” pauses “…maybe.”
Ryan laughed, and for a moment, Ezekiel looked away hiding the faint smile forming on his lips.
⸻
Later that night, after closing, Ezekiel sat alone at the counter.
The bar was quiet now, lights dim, air cool.
He stared at the empty seat Ryan always sat in.
Ezekiel (thinking):
“Why does it bother me…
seeing him talk to someone else?
It shouldn’t matter. He’s just a friend.
Just… a friend.”
But deep down, a small voice whispered something he didn’t want to hear.
“You like him.”
Ezekiel rubbed his forehead, groaning softly.
Ezekiel: “No. No, no, no. I do not like that idiot.”
Outside, rain began to fall again — softly at first, then harder, tapping against the windows.
Ezekiel sighed.
Ezekiel: quietly “Why does he have to make everything so complicated…?”
⸻
The next evening, Ryan came back, grinning as usual.
Ryan: “Evening, handsome. Miss me?”
Ezekiel: sighs, pretending to be annoyed “You’re late.”
Ryan: “Wow, you were waiting for me.”
Ezekiel: face heating up “I was not!”
Ryan: smiling warmly “Sure you weren’t.”
As Ezekiel turned to make his usual latte, Ryan watched him quietly less teasing this time, more thoughtful.
And for just a moment, Ezekiel caught his reflection in the mirror behind the bar saw Ryan’s eyes on him, soft and gentle.
His heart skipped.
He quickly looked away.
⸻
That night, he couldn’t sleep.
No matter how hard he tried, his mind kept replaying Ryan’s words.
His smile.
His laugh.
The way his eyes softened when he said Ezekiel’s name.
Ezekiel buried his face in the pillow and groaned.
Ezekiel: “…Stupid Ryan.”
But deep down, he knew —
it wasn’t annoyance anymore.
It was something else.
Something he wasn’t ready to name.
⸻
[End of Chapter 3]
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