The wildflowers lay scattered across the counter, their purples and blues a stark contrast against the dark wood. Ashley's fingers brushed the petals as Arek's footsteps faded beyond the café door. His words still echoed: "Tomorrow at 8pm?"

The double doors to the back room felt heavier than usual as she pushed through them. Her heart caught in her throat at the sight of Lucien, his movements sharp and frantic as he shoved a guitar into its case. His fingers fumbled with the zipper, missing it once, twice, before finally catching.

"Lucien," her voice came out softer than intended. "You brought your guitar today?"

His shoulders tensed at her voice, but he didn't turn around. The rustle of fabric filled the silence as he yanked off his apron, movements lacking their usual careful precision. A white slip of paper fluttered from his pocket, dancing through the air before settling on the floor.

Ashley's fingers closed around it automatically. Her eyes caught fragments of words in Lucien's careful handwriting: "...way you smile..." and "...afraid to say..." before he snatched it back, crumpling it in his fist.

"It's nothing." His voice cracked on the second word, betraying the lie.

A teardrop splashed onto his sleeve as he roughly wiped his face. Ashley's chest tightened as pieces clicked into place - the way his eyes always found her when she entered a room, how he measured his pastries into perfect rows when he was nervous, the special desserts that appeared on her hard days. The flower pen that never left his pocket.

"Lucien, I—" She stepped forward, the flower pen twisting between her fingers.

"No—" His voice broke again. "Don't. Just... don't... please." His shoulders curved inward like he was trying to make himself smaller.

Ashley's throat felt too tight. "How long...?"

"Does it matter?" The words came out muffled as he sank onto the break room bench, head buried in his hands.

"It does to me." She kept her voice gentle, like she was approaching a frightened animal.

"Ashley..." Her name sounded like it hurt coming out of his mouth.

She settled beside him, close enough to feel him trembling. Her hand moved in slow circles on his back, feeling each shaky breath. His curls had fallen forward, hiding his face, but she could see teardrops falling onto his jeans.

"Lucien..." The words stuck in her throat. "I never knew... I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you."

"I know..." His breath hitched. "I know... I was too late... and..." He swallowed hard. "I figured you didn't feel the same, anyway."

Her fingers carded through his curls, an automatic gesture of comfort that made him lean into her touch for just a moment before pulling away. "Listen. Just because I don't feel the same romantically doesn't change anything."

"It does!" The words burst out of him. "With friendship there is a line... and I crossed it... It won't be the same..."

Ashley set the flower pen down carefully before taking his hands in hers. They were cold, trembling slightly. "That's not true! Don't say that! Lucien, you will always be a great friend of mine. No one and nothing can ever change that." Her thumbs traced circles on his palms. "I appreciate you and your family so much. You guys make me feel free. Like a normal person with a normal life and a normal job. That can't just disappear. I don't want it to."

Lucien drew a shuddering breath, his fingers tightening around hers. "Neither do I... I want to still work with you and help you with crazy ideas and cook you your favorite things to make you feel better. This is just..." He stared at their joined hands. "It's my first time... liking someone... having a friend like you..." A hollow laugh escaped him. "Having a friend at all..."

"I am so glad I got to claim the position as your first real friend." She squeezed his hands, trying to pour all her affection into the gesture.

"Me too..." He released a long breath, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. After a moment, he placed a hesitant hand on her knee. "Do you really like him?"

"I do." She spoke softly, watching his face. "I really do."

Something shifted in his expression - resignation mixed with determination. "Then... If he makes you happy, I'm happy."

Ashley cupped his face in her hands, thumbs brushing away the tear tracks on his cheeks. "Look at you being all cheesy and stuff."

A small smile tugged at his lips as he gently pushed her hands away. "I have a request."

"Yes?"

"Have your date here?" He fidgeted with his sleeve, not quite meeting her eyes.

"What?"

"Just so I can keep an eye out? Make sure everything is okay?" The words tumbled out faster. "I'll make you your favorites and everything."

A laugh bubbled up as she retrieved the flower pen, holding it out to him. "Okay, fine, but no interrogating him. Okay?" Her smile faded slightly. "Are you sure you will be okay with that...?"

"Okay with what?" He took the pen with the same reverence he always did.

"With... you know... Seeing us together and stuff?"

"Ashley," His voice steadied. "As long as you are safe and he doesn't have any ulterior motives then I will be fine. You don't have to worry about me."

She nodded, pulling out her phone. "I'll text him right now so he doesn't make other plans."

As she typed, she caught Lucien peering over her shoulder, a genuine smile touching his lips when Arek agreed to the café date. He quickly pretended to be absorbed in examining his guitar case when she glanced up.

Fighting back a grin, she cleared her throat. "Looks like it's all set now. Tomorrow at 8 we'll be having our date here. I expect the highest customer service."

Lucien's answering smile was small but real. "Of course! Expect nothing less." The flower pen bobbed in his pocket as he straightened up, already planning tomorrow's menu in his head.