Me and u?

The next morning, Billie found herself standing outside Nat's café again, hands stuffed in her hoodie pocket, eyes flickering up at the familiar sign.

She wasn't sure why she was nervous.

Maybe it was because of what had happened yesterday—how Nat had fought back, how she had bled, how Billie had spent half the night staring at the ceiling, thinking about her.

Or maybe it was because for the first time in a long time, Billie felt like something in her had shifted.

Like she couldn't look at Nat the same way anymore.

Like she didn't want to.

She exhaled and stepped inside.

The morning rush was already in full swing. Customers lined up at the counter, the scent of fresh coffee thick in the air. The atmosphere was loud, but not chaotic—just alive, the way it always was when Nat was running the show.

Billie's eyes immediately found her.

Nat was behind the counter, moving like she had never been burned, never bled, never faltered. She was smirking at a customer, handing them their drink with a smooth flick of her wrist, her movements effortless.

If Billie hadn't been there yesterday, she wouldn't have believed that just last night, Nat had curled in on herself with bandaged arms and exhausted eyes.

Billie shook her head, smiling a little as she stepped up to the counter.

Nat noticed her instantly. "Oh, great," she drawled, crossing her arms. "It's you again."

Billie raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

"You show up here more than some of my actual employees."

Billie smirked. "Maybe I just like the coffee."

Nat snorted. "You order the same thing every time. Pretty sure you could get it anywhere."

"Yeah, but it wouldn't be made by you."

Nat blinked.

For a split second, Billie thought she had actually stunned her into silence. But then, Nat rolled her eyes and turned to grab a cup. "Flattery gets you nowhere, superstar."

Billie just grinned.

She leaned on the counter, watching as Nat made her drink. The sleeves of her hoodie were pulled down today, hiding the evidence of yesterday's fight. But Billie still knew.

She still saw.

"Hey," Billie murmured, lowering her voice. "How are you feeling?"

Nat hesitated slightly before pouring the espresso shot. "I'm fine."

Billie wasn't convinced. "Really?"

Nat met her eyes then, and for a second, something unreadable flickered across her face.

Then she shrugged. "People have thrown worse at me than coffee."

Billie frowned. "That's not really the point."

Nat sighed, sliding the finished drink toward her. "Look, I get it. You're worried. But I've dealt with people like her my whole life. It's nothing new."

That didn't sit right with Billie. It never would.

But she could tell Nat wasn't in the mood for a heart-to-heart across the counter. Not here. Not now.

So Billie just nodded slowly, taking her drink. "Alright. But just so you know..." She tilted her head. "I think you scared her so bad she'll never set foot in here again."

Nat smirked. "Good."

Billie chuckled. "Badass."

"I try."

Billie turned, ready to find a table, but before she could walk away, Nat's voice stopped her.

"Hey."

Billie glanced over her shoulder.

Nat wasn't smirking anymore. Her expression was softer, more hesitant.

"...Thanks. For yesterday."

Something warm spread through Billie's chest.

She just nodded. "Anytime."

And she meant it.Billie hadn't planned on spending her whole day at Nat's café.But here she was—hours later—sitting at her usual corner table, watching Nat move behind the counter like she owned the world.Which, technically, she did.Billie had gotten some work done—answering emails, reviewing some demos Finneas had sent her—but mostly, she had just been watching her.

And she wasn't sure if that was a problem or not.

Nat had this energy when she worked. A mix of sharp confidence and effortless charm, like she was built for this exact life. She could take orders while teasing a customer, throw an employee a look that had them scrambling to fix a mistake, all while making the best damn coffee Billie had ever had.

It was ridiculous.

Billie took another sip of her drink, tapping her fingers on the table as she tried—really tried—to focus on the email in front of her.

It didn't work.

Because every time she looked up, her gaze found her.

Nat, laughing at something James said.

Nat, brushing stray curls out of her face with a flick of her wrist.

Nat, leaning over the counter slightly as she spoke to a customer, voice low and amused.

And Billie?

Billie was so screwed.

She exhaled, running a hand through her hair. She needed to get out of here. Regroup. Maybe call Finneas and get him to knock some sense into her.

Before she could make a move, someone slid into the seat across from her.

"You know," James said, grinning, "if you stare any harder, you're gonna set her on fire."

Billie nearly choked on her drink. "I—" She shook her head. "Shut up."

James just smirked. "Hey, I'm just saying. It's entertaining watching you try to be subtle."

"I am subtle."

James snorted. "Sure. And I'm the Pope."

Billie rolled her eyes, but her stomach flipped slightly. She hadn't thought she'd been that obvious.

James leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You like her."

It wasn't a question.

Billie hesitated, glancing toward the counter, where Nat was deep in conversation with a customer.

"...Yeah," she admitted quietly.

James' smirk widened. "Knew it."

Billie sighed, leaning back in her seat. "It's not that simple."

"Why not?"

"Because—" Billie gestured vaguely. "It's Nat."

"Exactly."

Billie narrowed her eyes. "That's not helpful."

James chuckled. "Look, I don't know what's going on in that head of yours, but I do know she's different with you."

Billie frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I've worked with her for years, and yeah, she's close with us, but you?" James tilted his head. "She lets you in. And that's rare."

Billie swallowed.

She didn't know what to say to that.

Luckily, she didn't have to—because at that exact moment, Nat called out, "James, if you're bothering Billie, I will fire you."

James grinned, standing up. "Relax, boss, I'm just giving her some quality advice."

Nat rolled her eyes before glancing at Billie. "You good?"

Billie nodded. "Yeah."

Nat studied her for a second longer before going back to work.

James leaned down slightly, lowering his voice. "Just... think about it," he muttered before walking off.

Billie did.

And that was the problem.