Espresso in The Rain

Noah didn't know how long he sat there, staring into his untouched cup of coffee.

Elias had gone to lock the front door of The Roasted Heaven, giving them privacy, but Noah still felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on his chest.

His mother's words still echoed in his mind.

"This isn't about who you love, Noah. It's about where you're going in life. Do you really think a relationship like this will last? Or will it just be another distraction?"

Noah clenched his fists.

He hated that doubt had wormed its way into him. He hated that for even a second, he had let his mother's words make him question this—make him question Elias.

A warm hand brushed over his.

Noah flinched slightly, but Elias didn't pull away. Instead, he simply held Noah's hand, his grip firm but comforting.

"Noah," Elias murmured. "Talk to me."

Noah swallowed, his throat dry. "I don't want to doubt us."

Elias studied him for a long moment before sighing. "But you do."

Noah shut his eyes. "My mom—she's always had my life planned out. She pushed me into engineering, pushed me to be successful. I've never really… questioned it before."

Elias traced his thumb over Noah's knuckles. "And now you are."

Noah opened his eyes, searching Elias' face. "Being with you—it's made me realize that maybe I don't want my life to be set in stone. Maybe I want something else."

Elias' lips quirked up in a small, sad smile. "That scares you, doesn't it?"

Noah exhaled shakily. "Terrifies me."

Elias nodded slowly, his gaze unreadable. "Then let me ask you this—if you weren't afraid, what would you want?"

Noah sucked in a breath.

If he stripped away the expectations, the pressure, the fear—what was left?

He looked at Elias, at the man who had slowly but surely become the most important part of his days. The man who challenged him, comforted him, kissed him like he was something precious.

And suddenly, the answer was clear.

"You," Noah whispered. "I want you."

Elias' expression softened. His fingers curled around Noah's hand, tugging him closer until there was no space between them.

"Then stop being afraid," Elias murmured against his lips before capturing them in a deep, slow kiss.

Noah's heart pounded.

This was what he wanted.

This was what he needed.

And for once, he wouldn't let fear stop him.