I didn't sleep. Not a wink.
My eyes were open all night, glued to the ceiling like it held the answers to that kiss. Every time I closed them, I felt his lips again—tasting of whiskey, desperation, and something else I couldn't explain. My heart was heavy and confused. I didn't know what to feel. What to think.
By morning, I gave up on sleep altogether and dragged myself downstairs.
The smell of cinnamon and nutmeg wrapped around me like a warm hug. Mom was already mixing the dough for cinnamon rolls—our usual weekend routine. I slipped on an apron and joined her, trying to pretend everything was fine.
"You didn't sleep, baby," she said, eyeing me softly.
I smiled weakly and kept kneading. "Just a lot on my mind."
She didn't push. She never did. We worked in silence for a bit, letting the rhythm of baking do its magic. Mixing. Rolling. Spreading butter and brown sugar.
"It's your anniversary today," I said after a while, glancing at her.
She paused and nodded. "Yeah… I was thinking of going to the hospital later. Spend some time with your dad."
"Let me take over the café today," I offered. "You go spend the day with him."
Her eyes softened. She reached out and touched my cheek gently, her fingers warm and soft with flour. "You're such a good girl, baby."
I gave her a small smile and hugged her before she left, her umbrella bobbing down the street as she made her way to the hospital.
The rest of the day dragged. Jane was with me, helping out like she always did, but I was no good. I kept staring at the door. Waiting. Hoping. For what? I wasn't sure. Maybe a text. A call. Or maybe—Jason.
But he never came.
The rain started in the afternoon. A light drizzle at first. Then louder, angrier. Heavy droplets slammed against the windows like they were trying to get in. My phone buzzed. Mom.
"I'm staying at the hospital, baby. The rain's too much. I'll be back in the morning, okay?"
"Okay. Love you."
"Love you more."
By evening, Jane packed up. She zipped her raincoat, hugged me tightly, and ran out into the storm. I stayed behind. Serving the few customers that wandered in, cleaning the counters, wiping tables. But my eyes never left the door.
Still, no Jason.
By ten, I gave up. I turned off the café lights, locked up, and dragged myself upstairs. My body was tired, but my mind was louder than ever.
I took a hot shower, hoping it would wash off the confusion and the kiss still burned into my lips. I changed into my nightwear, wrapped my hair in a towel, and stood by the window.
And that's when I saw him.
Jason.
He was just… standing there. Soaked to the bone. His clothes clung to him. His hair was dripping. He looked like a lost boy who didn't know where else to go.
My heart jumped to my throat.
I didn't even grab a sweater. I just ran downstairs barefoot, towel still on my head, and flipped the café lights back on. My hands trembled as I unlocked the door and pulled it open.
The rain blew in with the wind, cold and fast. He stood there, blinking at me, like he wasn't even sure I was real.
I opened my mouth to say something—anything—but he beat me to it.
"Marry me, Cas."
My breath caught.
That was all he said.
No hello. No sorry. Just that. Standing there in the rain, shivering, staring at me with those damn eyes like I was his only way out of whatever storm he was in.
"Jason…" I whispered, stunned.
But he didn't blink. He just stood there. Still. Drenched. Desperate.
My heart didn't know whether to scream or break.