It had been two days since her encounter with Derek, and two days since Ashlyn had seen or heard from him. Early on Wednesday morning, she'd found herself standing outside his door; hand raised to knock. Before she could make those two gentle knocks, her apprehension stepped in and convinced her it was a mistake to see him. He wouldn't want to see her again anyway. It would only hurt her more when he shut the door on her, not that she didn't deserve it.

Torn between the matters of her mind and her heart, she had trudged back downstairs to open the café. Thankfully she had a stack of textbooks to keep her mind busy in between customers.

An hour and a half later, Ashlyn drummed her fingers against the counter in time with the Stevie Lujan song playing over the speakers, her eyes following the text on the page. A chocolate chip muffin sat half-eaten beside the coffee machine; the chocolate melted just slightly from the heat it was throwing off.

The textbook and printed articles before Ashlyn were an ensemble of blue and green, pink and yellow, lines and circles, and random notations. The morning had progressed slowly, only a couple of customers coming in for a sweet pick me up, allowing Ashlyn to set up a makeshift study nook behind the counter.

Kass moved around her wiping down the counters and restocking the inventory, humming a merry tune. Ashlyn pretended not to notice when Kass picked a corner off her muffin and discreetly moved it to her mouth, disguising the gesture as a cough. Ashlyn rolled her eyes before bringing both her hands down on the counter with a resounding thump. Kass jumped, some crumbs falling to the floor.

Did you know there are still debates going on, over a hundred years later, around the validity of all the claims made regarding Rasputin and his eccentric behavior, Ashlyn signed; a green highlighter held between her teeth. His actions often seemed to clash with his religious views, and they still don't know what, or if anything, happened between him and Alexandra. Here, take a look at this. She offered the textbook to Kass and watched as she read the highlighted text, her nose wrinkled with disgust.

Ashlyn tore a piece from her muffin and chewed it. A moment later, Kass snorted.

"...A renegade monk and sexual deviant, engaged in political sabotage and portrayed as a mystic healer, Rasputin inspired both condemnation and reverence in many during his lifetime..." Kass read aloud, pacing around the confined space.

"A larger-than-life figure in Russian history? Damn, he was a repugnant man, Ash. I don't know why you'd even want to write about him in your assignment," Kass scoffed, placing the book back on the counter. "I don't care what these historians say, I've seen Anastasia, and he was downright creepy!" She shuddered.

Not a suitable pairing for you then? Ashlyn wiggled her eyebrows playfully.

"Ash!" Kass groaned with revulsion and pretended to gag. Ashlyn gazed back with feigned innocence.

"You cheeky minx!" Kass laughed boisterously, chucking a dirty cloth at Ashlyn. The highlighter fell from her mouth as she raised her arms to protect her face, a cheeky grin forming. Both of the customers enjoying their brunch watched on, amused.

Hey, I had to be sure. Ashlyn shrugged. It's been twenty-three years, and I still don't know your type. She winked, snapping the book shut. She would have to come back to her research later when her mind was more focused on the task at hand.

"I don't need a man," Kass answered. "I have all the love I need right here in the form of glucose and carbs." She grinned, stealing the rest of Ashlyn's muffin and shoving it in her mouth, melted chocolate smearing across her chin. Ashlyn laughed, grabbing the nearest item, a sugar packet, and holding it over her shoulder, poised to throw.

The sound of a throat clearing behind her had Ashlyn stopping in her tracks before she could release the sugar packet. Kass' laughter was amused as Ashlyn lowered her arm and turned to smile innocently at their guest, her hand and the sugar packet veiled behind her back.

"It's good to see you ladies having some fun." Abel chuckled.

"Ash was just showing me how aerodynamic sugar is." Kass laughed, wiping her chin. Stealing the packet from behind Ashlyn's back, Kass held up the evidence for Abel to see before chucking it in the holder with the rest. Ashlyn grinned sheepishly.

It wasn't what it looked like, Ashlyn defended herself, albeit poorly. The guilt was plastered all over her expressions, and she knew it.

"It's okay, I won't tell." He winked and opened his arms for Ashlyn. Ashlyn smiled as she moved around the counter and hugged him. The strength of his arms around her shoulders and the gentle rhythm of his heart within his chest felt like home.

Kass moved to make their coffees while Ashlyn led Abel to their usual table under the window. Ashlyn pulled out a chair for Abel when he put his hand on her arm and shook his head.

"How about we take a walk outside instead?" He asked with a gentle smile. "It's a beautiful day out, and I don't often get to spend time in the sun," he added, his gaze shifting to Kass for her approval.

"I will make these to go." Kass answered for Ashlyn, pouring both coffees into takeaway cups.

"Thank you, Kass," Abel spoke. Taking both cups from Kass, Ashlyn tried to object.

"Go. I can hold the fort here for an hour," Kass encouraged. With her hands against Ashlyn's back, Kass gently nudged her towards the door. Tossing a smile of gratitude in Kass' direction, Ashlyn stepped over the threshold. Abel was right. The sun was warm and inviting as Ashlyn stepped outside and lifted her face to bask in its warmth.

"It feels good to know the kiss of the sun on your skin." Abel grinned, his eyes fixed on Ashlyn, a pleasant smile forming on her lips. The breeze that rolled across the ocean, and towards her where she stood, tangled in her hair like her Father's fingers used to when he tried to braid it, sent tingles running down her spine.

Rolling her shoulders, she smiled at Abel and handed him his coffee.

"Shall we?" Abel offered her his arm, which she kindly accepted, and the two of them crossed the street to the boardwalk that lined the ocean's perimeter.

The ocean was quiet beneath them, gently lapping against the retaining wall. Still, ever cautious, Ashlyn took an extra step to the left, creating a little extra distance between her and the oceans song. Abel followed suit, his words never ceasing. Ashlyn smiled shyly to herself, thankful that he hadn't drawn attention to her movement or made any comments.

"...The sculpture's being installed on Saturday morning. I just hope that it will be what they were after." Abel smiled wearily, the lines beneath his eyes showing the exhaustive lengths he had gone to complete the school's new sculpture. Ashlyn held her coffee cup in the crook of her elbow and turned to face Abel.

Of course, they will love it, because it was made by you. And everything that you craft is a masterpiece, Ashlyn consoled. Noting the slight tremor in his hand, she took it in her own and squeezed it gently. He'd worked himself too hard.

"Whatever will be will be." He shrugged, returning her squeeze.

So, are you excited to see Mila? She smiled, changing the subject. His returned smile was appreciative.

"I am elated." he chuckled, rubbing his chest. "I can't believe how long it's been since I last saw her. Two years now," he added.

She is going to be so happy to see you.

"Thank you for talking me into doing this. I don't think I would've had the courage if it weren't for you." Abel pulled her to his side and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

No thanks necessary. She smiled, and took a sip of her coffee.

"I'm going to miss this, drinking coffee and spending time with you." Abel started walking again, his pace slower, and Ashlyn followed. Her answering smile was reassuring.

She watched as Abel took a drink of his coffee, and immediately placed his hand against his chest, his nose scrunched with discomfort.

A bit too hot? She asked, her smile apologetic. She observed as he hesitated before answering.

"Yeah, must have been."

When they'd reached the pier at the end of Marine Parade, Ashlyn dropped her coffee cup into the bin and turned to make their way back to the café, expecting that Abel would follow. She'd only made it a couple of steps, however, when she noticed that Abel hadn't moved. 

She stopped where she was and turned to see him standing against the wooden railing, his chest heaving with deep, labored breaths. Coffee was spilled across his shoes and the boardwalk, the cup rolled over the wall.

Hey, are you okay? She asked, turning back to meet him. Abel simply nodded; his brow pinched.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he groaned. "Just getting old." He tried to smile, but it appeared more like a grimace.

Ashlyn was not convinced, as she rushed to his side and wrapped her arm about his waist. She could see the sheen of sweat that glistened on his brow, and she could feel his struggle to draw breath in the way his ribs moved against her side. He panted in her ear as he tried, and failed, to speak. Perhaps going for a walk had been a bad idea. They should have turned and gone back when his pace had first begun to slow.

Why hadn't he said anything? She thought.

There was a park bench a couple feet away. If she could just get him to there, he could sit and rest. She pointed towards it and took the first step, but Abel's step faltered next to hers, his grip tightening around her side. He shook his head, his fist kneading the center of his chest.

She looked around frantically for anyone who could help. As she supported Abel's weight against hers, she thought briefly of her phone still inside her handbag back at the café.

"Ashlyn, I think y—" his words cut out when he groaned in pain, his hand clutching at his breast. Something was very wrong. He needed to get to the hospital.

It's okay. It's going to be okay, she continued thinking as Abel's weight grew increasingly difficult to support. God, where is everyone? She cried, mentally. Tears shimmered in her eyes, and her heart beat rapidly within her chest, as she watched each flinch and contortion of pain that warred on the plains of his face.

Her knees buckled, unable to bear his weight any longer, and she fell to the boards, Abels weight following. Wiping her eyes, she pulled him into her lap and began desperately searching his body for his phone. Her hands wouldn't stop shaking.

Abel continued to groan, the sterling grey of his eyes swimming in a pool of agony. Ashlyn shook her head, her face a mess of snot and tears. She placed her hands over his heart and continued to shake her head no.

I'm not losing you too, she wished she could say, but instead, she let the fear in her eyes speak for itself.

He closed his eyes, his heart slowing beneath her palm. Her body shook with her tears and silent pleas, as she prayed fervently to God that someone would come to their aid.