Warren Chose Another Over Me

The bell above the door chimed as I stepped into Warren's coffee shop, the familiar scent of espresso and baked goods wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. This place had always been our sanctuary—the business Warren built for me, named for me, promising that every cup served would be a testament to our love.

But today, something felt different.

"Elisa!" Warren's voice carried across the room, his face lighting up as he spotted me. "Perfect timing. Come meet Sloane."

She stood beside him at the counter, her sleek blonde hair cascading over one shoulder as she turned to face me. Sloane Clark—Warren's new assistant. I'd heard about her hiring but hadn't expected to feel so immediately... unsettled.

"Hi, I'm Elisa," I said, extending my hand. "Warren's mentioned you."

Sloane's grip was firm, her smile never reaching her eyes. "Oh, Warren's told me so much about you." Something in her tone made my skin prickle. "I'm just thrilled to be part of the team. This place is adorable."

Adorable. As if it were some cute little hobby rather than Warren's dream—our dream.

"Elisa's studying for her finals," Warren explained, his hand resting casually on Sloane's shoulder. "She'll be graduating next month."

"Congratulations," Sloane said, though her eyes had already drifted back to Warren. "You must be so proud of her."

I watched as her fingers brushed against Warren's arm when she leaned past him to reach for a napkin. The touch lingered a fraction too long.

"Warren's been so patient with me learning the ropes," she continued, positioning herself unnecessarily close to him. "I'm still figuring out the coffee machines, but he's such a good teacher."

Warren laughed, the sound echoing in my chest like a hollow drum. "Sloane's a quick study. She'll have the place running smoother than ever in no time."

That evening, as we walked to my car, I finally voiced the knot forming in my stomach. "Did you notice how... friendly Sloane seems to be?"

Warren sighed, his keys jingling as he unlocked the door. "What do you mean?"

"The way she looks at you. Touches your arm when she talks. Stands so close."

He laughed then—actually laughed—and pulled me into a quick hug. "You're being paranoid, Elisa. She's new and eager to learn. That's all."

"But—"

"She's just excited about the job," he interrupted, kissing my forehead. "You're reading too much into innocent workplace interactions."

---

Two weeks passed in a blur of final exams and tense coffee shop visits. I tried to shake off my unease about Sloane, but each time I dropped by, she seemed more entrenched in Warren's world.

I was sitting at our favorite corner table, studying for my last final, when Warren approached with an unusually excited gleam in his eyes.

"I've been working on something special," he announced, sliding into the seat across from me. "A new signature blend."

"That's great," I said, closing my textbook. "What's it called?"

His smile widened. "Sloane's Sunset."

The name hit me like