Page 15 of Once Hidden
“How’s your grandmother?”April asked.Despite her annoyance, genuine concern colored her question.Ethan had told her how his grandmother had raised him after his parents died, how she’d worked multiple jobs to support them
“Better,” Ethan said, something like relief crossing his features.“The doctors adjusted her medication.She’s more stable now.”
April was glad for that at least.But the question she really wanted to ask pressed against her lips.Behind her, the espresso machine shrieked as Darcy steamed milk, and someone dropped a metal spoon with a clatter that made April flinch.
“You didn’t text,” she finally.“You told me that you would.”
Ethan’s expression fell.“I know.I’m sorry about that.”
“Why?”April pressed, aware that this wasn’t the time or place for this conversation, but unable to stop herself.The past two days, she’d checked her phone constantly, worried about him, worried about his grandmother, wondering if something had happened.
“It’s complicated,” Ethan said, his voice low.
Complicated.What was so complicated about sending a simple text?
“That’s it?It’s complicated?”Heat rose in her cheeks, anger displacing the worry she’d felt.“I was worried about you.”
Ethan’s face contorted with what looked like genuine regret.“April, I—”
“Do you want to order something?”she cut him off, suddenly very aware of the line forming behind him and the activity buzzing around her.
Ethan glanced around, noticing the crowd, the busy staff, and the impatient customers.“No,” he said after a moment.“I just wanted to see you.Maybe we can talk later?When you’re off work?”
Part of her wanted to say yes, to give him a chance to explain.Another part—the part that remembered sitting up late checking her phone, wondering if he was okay—wanted to tell him to leave and not come back.
“I don’t know, Ethan.I’m pretty busy.”The words came out colder than she’d intended.
He accepted the rebuff.“I understand.I’ll—I’ll go.Call me if you want to talk.”
Without waiting for her response, Ethan turned and walked out.
April stared after him, then she called mechanically, “Next customer.”
For the next fifteen minutes, she moved through orders on autopilot, her mind replaying Ethan’s appearance and their brief, unsatisfying exchange.Their relationship was still new, fragile.Was she expecting too much?
Or maybe not.If he couldn’t even send a text when he said he would, what did that say about his reliability?
Gradually, the café began to empty as the lunch crowd returned to work and classes.The frantic pace slowed to something more manageable, and April found herself with a moment to breathe.She leaned against the counter, the adrenaline of the rush hour fading and leaving her tired.
“Wow, you really gave Ethan the brush-off,” Molly said, sidling up beside her.“Trouble in paradise already?”
April hesitated, unsure how much she wanted to share.
“He went to Philadelphia to see his sick grandmother,” she explained finally.“He promised to text when he got there, but...”She shrugged.“Radio silence for two days, and then he just shows up here.In the middle of a rush, when there was no time to talk.”
Molly made a sympathetic noise.“Maybe his phone died?Or he was just so worried about his grandmother, he forgot?”
“For two whole days?”April shook her head.“And ‘it’s complicated’ isn’t exactly a reassuring explanation.”
Darcy approached with a tray of clean mugs, and April lowered her voice.“I don’t know.Maybe I’m overreacting.”
“Look,” Molly said, “the guy’s dealing with a sick grandma.That’s heavy stuff.Maybe you should cut him some slack.”
April wiped down the espresso machine, considering Molly’s words.“Maybe,” she conceded.“But it wouldn’t have taken much to send a quick text.”
“True,” Molly acknowledged.“But people get weird when families involved.Especially family that’s, you know, not doing well.”She paused, studying April’s face.“You like him, right?”
“Yeah,” April admitted.“I do.”
