Chapter Text
I
Ryan handed off the drink carrier to the customer that stood in front of her just as a beautiful familiar face caught her attention. Sophie Moore, she was a regular and lived above Ryan's apartment just a few blocks away.
At Least once a week during the morning she watched Sophie come in with her latest conquest. She'd order them a coffee and some sort of sweet pastry before talking them up for a few moments and sending them away to never be seen again.
It was so interesting to Ryan. On one hand she secretly wished she had the mental ability to handle casual situations but she wasn't built like that. She wore her heart on her sleeve and connecting with someone on a sexual level was always something she took very seriously. Besides she adamantly believed in soul ties and that just wasn't a game she liked to play.
At the same time though she did enjoy the shameless flirting they often participated in. A smirk spread across her lips as she watched her make her way up to her counter. Sophie could have easily been a runway model on her worst day.
“Your usual?” Ryan confirmed before keying in her order.
Sophie nodded.
“And for your friend?” She said referring to the woman who was nestled off at a table in the corner.
“Just black and a glazed donut. “
Ryan chuckled and put in the order.
“What's so funny?” She inquired as she pulled out her card.
Somehow in even the most unflattering uniform Ryan radiated. Her smile, those full lips and soft eyes. Sophie always took a few extra moments to admire her view while she ran her card.
“You and your little send off care package. “ She shook her head.
“Jealous?” She questioned with a raised brow.
Ryan grimaced at her absurd comment.
“Not in the slightest babe. Being jealous would mean I'd have to actually want you. “
Her words might have seemed harsh but this was normal banter for them.
“Denial doesn't look good on you.”
“Please, everything looks good on me!” The smirk she held was laced with confidence.
If Sophie didn’t love anything more, it was a confident woman. The corners of her lips pulled upward forming an agreeable smile. Her order was up. Ryan handed it over to her.
“NEXT “ She shouted in jest, her way of dismissing her.
The teasing gaze amused Sophie. She grabbed the drink holder and the bag.
“Always a pleasure Ms. Wilder. “
Sophie turned and walked over to the corner to join her nameless friend. Her slender arms that were exposed kept Ryan's attention for a moment. A thought of what it might have felt like to be held and caressed by her crossed her mind. Ryan almost wished that she could just throw caution to the wind just for one night to indulge but giving into that temptation was not something she planned on ever doing. Sophie Moore had heartbreak written all over her and after everything she had been through with relationships right now wasn’t the time to act like she couldn’t read.