Ellie sat behind the counter, staring at her phone like it might explode with all the words she needed to say.
She typed:
Ellie:
Okay, so remember the talking squirrel movie? Cute, right?
Max:
Cutest distraction ever.
Ellie:
Well, turns out the cuteness is part of the package.
She paused dramatically before continuing:
Ellie:
My crush? He's got this charming habit of… interrupting people. Like, mid-sentence. But it's usually to share a weird fact or a joke.
Max:
Ah, the classic "enthusiastic chatterbox" strikes again.
Ellie:
Exactly! And get this: when I asked what his favorite book was, he said, "Anything that makes me laugh or think."
Max's laughing emoji was practically screaming.
Max:
Solid answer.
Ellie kept going.
Ellie:
And the pièce de résistance: he's kind of stubborn about apologizing. Not because he thinks he's always right, but because he hates conflict.
Max:
Ah, the "pride wrapped in anxiety" combo. Dangerous.
Ellie sighed.
Ellie:
Yeah. I should probably just enjoy his good parts, but part of me wonders if there's more beneath the surface.
Max:
You don't have to fix anyone. You get to decide what makes you happy.
Ellie:
Sound advice. But also super hard.
Max's reply was gentle.
Max:
You deserve someone who listens. Who values you.
Ellie smiled, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with coffee.
Ellie:
Thanks, Max. You're like my personal life coach.
Max:
Coach Max, at your service.
Ellie laughed, typing:
Ellie:
Maybe one day you can meet Mr. 'charming but complicated' and tell him to chill.
Max:
If I survive that encounter, I'll write a bestseller.
Ellie's heart fluttered—not from the crush, but from the friend she found in this anonymous stranger.