The Cold Brew Theory

Juliette

The Iced Capp staining my shirt should be a prominent hint today will be a craptastic day. It happened because I couldn't start my day without a caffeine kick. I thought stopping at Tim Hortons before work was a good idea... Until I collided with a boy and lost the drink I paid for.

He scrubs at the mess with a napkin. My shoulders slouch. Sighing, I glance at the ceiling. Does he not realize he's making the stain worse? That we're standing in a puddle of melted Iced Capp?

"I'm so sorry," he mutters. "I wasn't watching where I was going. My attention was focused on—Juliette?"

My head snaps up.

How does he know my name?

I'm about to demand answers, but the questions die on my tongue.

Memories flood my mind. We're eating Timbits at a hockey game, arguing over which flavour is better while skates scrape the ice. Enjoying our frozen strawberry lemonades beneath the waterfall at Bear Creek Provincial Park.

Years have passed since we graduated from high school, but I could never forget his charming smile. His warm beige skin and unruly black hair.

It's West Knight. My best friend from grade school.

I inhale the scent of freshly brewed coffee, disbelief dizzying my mind. "West?" I ask. "What are you doing here?"

"Juliette," he smiles, pulling me into a hug. The hug is quick; people are hungry for doughnuts and their morning coffees.

West steps back, pulling us aside for passing customers. "Kelowna is my home; I'm visiting." He glances around the building, noting the morning rush. "Let me buy you another drink. It's my fault yours is seeping into the tile."

I eye the cold drink in his hand. "What do you have?"

"Their new Cold Brew coffee," he replies, taking a sip. "It has a smooth and velvety flavour profile. Beats the Iced Capp. You can add vanilla flavouring if you want."

"Okay," I nod. "I'll try that."

Butterflies fill my stomach as West orders me a Cold Brew coffee with a shot of vanilla. Running into him can't be a coincidence. After, we saunter to an empty table.

"I didn't expect to see you," I say.

"I call it the Cold Brew Theory," West shrugs.

"Cold Brew Theory?" I frown, sipping my drink. My eyebrows raise in surprise.

Dang. Tims' Cold Brew is delicious!

"Yeah." West stirs his drink, causing friction between the ice and plastic cup. "Tim Hortons releases a new Cold Brew coffee. You and I reunite... The Cold Brew Theory. Coffee brings people together."

My mouth twitches.

He taps the lid. "Call it a coincidence. Call it fate. But this drink brought us together again. A second chance at a meet cute."

I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, watching our friendship begin again. If a Cold Brew coffee brought us together again...

I dip my head down, smiling. "I like that. The Cold Brew Theory."

West smiles, taking another sip of his drink.