The Last Customer
Three Thursdays, one closing-time conversation, and a date worth waiting for.
The café was closing when she walked through the door.
“Sorry, we’re closed,” Marcus said, wiping down the counter.
She glanced at the sign, then back at him. “That’s unfortunate. I came all this way for a coffee.”
He recognized her immediately. Same woman. Same late-night order. Same smile that had been distracting him for three Thursdays straight.
“For you, I can make an exception.”
She took a seat by the window. He brought her coffee over and sat across from her.
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” she asked. “Not anymore.”
They talked until the coffee went cold. About everything. About nothing. About how she’d been coming in every Thursday hoping he’d finally stop hiding behind that counter.
Marcus laughed. “You could’ve just asked me out.”
“I could’ve,” she whispered. “But where’s the fun in that?”
When she stood to leave, he walked her to the door. She turned around, close enough that he caught the scent of her perfume.
“Same time next Thursday?”
He shook his head. “No.”
Her smile faded. He reached for his jacket.
“I’m taking you to dinner tomorrow.”
She grinned. “Finally.”
And for the first time in three Thursdays, she left without buying a coffee.
Sometimes the best things happen after closing time.