Broken

Chapter 37

Makenna took the turn and headed to Bostwick café to meet with Killian. She'd met him earlier at Metro Coffee and he'd asked her to meet with him at Bostwick around this time. She had been with the group that time, so she figured he hadn't told her then because of that. She had to cancel her plans just to meet with him. If Killian didn't have a problem associating indirectly with her friends, then he would have told her right there and then at Metro coffee. But because he did, there she was making the short walk to Bostwick.

Ugh, Bostwick.

Hate was a strong word, even for her, but she hated the café.

Yes, the food was amazing and she would be there every single day if the eerily cheerful ambience didn't annoy her. How could one place be so full of life? The open space, the bright lights, the sickly happy staff and customers. All that was left was a beach upfront. It made her feel like a spider was crawling up her neck. That's why Metro Coffee was her favourite place to hang out. It was drab, the lighting dim, the customers either spoke low or sat alone, quietly, and it was perfect.

Makenna noticed a bike parked outside Bostwick as she neared the entrance. She literally had to keep her mouth clamped shut to stop the 'wow' that was on the tip of her tongue but echoed in her head over and over again. It was a beaut.

Makenna took an unconscious step towards it but then quickly caught herself and glanced inside Bostwick to see if anyone caught her. The owner was definitely in there and if the bike were hers, she'd be keeping an eye on it. Makenna sighed and turned to head into Bostwick glancing at the bike one last time in case it was gone by the time she leaves.

Killian had asked her to meet him at the table they sat at last time with Thea and Atlas and Makenna headed there only for her steps to slow down as she blinked at the person who was seated at that exact table. Of course, she'd kind of expected him present since Killian had said that table but she also figured Killian would have mentioned it.

Atlas caught the movement and looked up from where he was seated at the table in Bostwick. He saw her before she saw him and kept his eyes on her face waiting for her to catch his gaze. When she did, she slowed to a stop a few feet away from the table. The corner of his lips quirked with a little smile at her hesitation in seeing him.

Makenna hated the smug look he had on his face. So, she resumed her walk to the table and pulled out the chair across from him.

"What are you doing here?" She asked as she took her seat,

"I'm wondering the same thing."

"You're wondering why you're here?" She looked at him, confused,

He frowned and then immediately shook his head,
"I'm wondering why you're here."

"Right." Makenna leaned back into her seat, not caring about how uninterested it made her look.

Makenna's gaze shifted from his and she looked everywhere else except at him. Atlas kept his gaze on her even after she pulled hers away from his. His curiosity was at its peak as he studied her features trying to see if they could give him a clue as to who she was beneath all her physical barriers.

Atlas's gaze went past her dark hairline, down to her thick dark eyebrows. Her eyes were framed by long dark lashes and he almost sighed audibly as they fluttered. His gaze went to her nose which wouldn't be perfect according to society's standards. His opinion was that everyone needed to embrace things about themselves that weren't up to those standards. Most of the standards set for women were super unrealistic and he'd hate if Thea thought she needed to change something about herself. She was perfect the way she was. But if she wanted to change, it was her choice to make.

His wavering gaze searched Makenna's face.

Cute.
He thought with a smile to himself.

Makenna turned her face just as Atlas finished examining her nose and he was met with her cheek, closer to her ear. A lock of her hair fell, covering her hair, as she turned and he watched as her hand lifted to her face and slowly tucked it behind her hair. His gaze followed her long fingers behind her ear and down her jaw before it disappeared and had the urge to reach out and trace her jawline down to her chin. He'd use his forefinger to turn her face to him so he could study her lips.

Just like that, Makenna turned to face him, her eyes shifting to the table as she bit the inside of her lip trying not to let the ambience get to her. Atlas almost inhaled sharply when her lips came into full view. The side of her lower lip was trapped between her teeth, although he couldn't see where she was biting, he knew she was biting her lip regardless. And when she released the hold she had on her lip, he took in the fullness of her lips and the bow of her upper lip.

Atlas watched in fascination as her lips tightened almost like she was frustrated with something. His gaze slowly retraced back up to her eyes which were closed. His eyes were fixed on her eyes but he noticed her shoulders lift and fall as she took a deep breath. And then her lashes fluttered on her cheek before her eyelids lifted and she caught his gaze.

His heart leapt as he stared into her vulnerable green eyes but then it was gone in half a second as she blinked like he'd just imagined it. Her shutters fell into place and masked away what he'd seen or thought he'd seen.