My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 43: Spilled Coffee and Cold Shoulders

Katherine wasn’t entirely sure how she ended up like this.

One moment she was spilling coffee on someone, and the next, she was seated across from Leonard at a small round table tucked in the corner of the bustling cafe. The cozy morning chatter and the hiss of the espresso machine around them barely registered in her ears. Her full attention was directed at Leonard’s forearm, which she had just rolled up to inspect for burns.

There was none. Just a blotchy pink flush, already beginning to fade. She exhaled in relief—relief that had little to do with his well-being and more to do with not having to prolong this encounter more than necessary. Still, her sense of responsibility wouldn’t let her leave just yet. No matter how awkward this was, or how much she wanted to crawl under a rock and vanish.

Why was she still here? Why didn’t she just mutter a rushed apology and flee like any normal, self-preserving person would?

Because she wasn’t that person. She was Katherine. The responsible one. The kind of person who couldn’t just walk away after dousing someone with hot coffee, even if that someone was Leonard—a man she would very much prefer to avoid forever, if possible.

Leonard sat casually, sleeves halfway up his forearms, leaning slightly forward with a bemused smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I still can’t believe I ran into you here," he said, voice light but tinged with something more, something that made her want to back away.

Neither do I, she wanted to say. I can’t believe it either—and I don’t like this at all. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Katherine forced a polite smile. "Good thing it’s only red. No burn."

Leonard flexed his fingers, eyes not leaving her. "Yeah. It’s nothing serious. Still... funny how life throws people back in your path, isn’t it?"

I’m being civil, but I’d rather be anywhere else.

She didn’t respond. Not to that.

Instead, she glanced around the cafe. It was warm inside, lit by amber pendant lights that gave the space a mellow glow. A couple sat near the window, laughing over croissants, and the barista was calling out an order for a hazelnut latte. A completely normal morning, if not for the emotional landmine sitting in front of her.

Leonard looked down at his sleeve, then back at her. "Do you come here often? I’ve only started picking up coffee here these past few days. I usually just drink whatever they bring to the office, but... this place surprised me. Kind of suits my taste."

Inside, Katherine grimaced. Why this cafe? Why couldn’t he have sent an intern or anyone else? Why did he have to show up in her space?

And yet, as soon as the thought formed, guilt flickered in her chest.

It’s a public place, Katherine.

She knew that. Of course she knew that. She didn’t own it. This wasn’t some secret corner of the world where she could post a "No Exes Allowed" sign on the window.

Leonard was free to go wherever he wanted. To buy whatever coffee he liked. To sit wherever he pleased. She had no claim to this place—no claim to him.

But logic didn’t soothe the burn of frustration tightening in her chest.

She swallowed those thoughts and replied flatly, "Sorry again. For the coffee."

Leonard waved it off. "It’s alright. Accidents happen. Even if it was on purpose, I wouldn’t have minded. You could pour a whole pot over me, and it still wouldn’t make up for everything I put you through."

Her gaze snapped to his, startled by the sudden weight in his voice. His eyes were serious, no longer playful. But she had no interest in revisiting that past. Not today. Not ever, if she could help it.

"Mr. Ford," she said, standing up. "I’m not in the mood for trading dramatic lines over spilled coffee."

Leonard blinked at her words, then let out a soft, almost rueful chuckle. He leaned back slightly, folding his arms across his chest, the serious look from moments ago fading—but not entirely.

Katherine narrowed her eyes, still standing, her gaze flicked briefly to the damp stain on Leonard’s forearm, then back to his face. "Maybe you should go to the restroom. Run some cold water over that. Just to be safe."

Leonard glanced down at his forearm, as if he’d only just remembered what had happened. He flexed his fingers, rubbed the spot lightly with his opposite hand, then shrugged.

"Don’t worry about it," he said, voice low and casual. "It’s not much. Barely warm. But... it’s nice to know you still worry about me."

Katherine froze.

"By the way—have I said how good you look in your work clothes?"

Katherine gave him a long, flat look. "Let’s not."

Leonard tilted his head slightly. "Come on, Katherine. Don’t be so formal with me."

Her name on his lips stirred something she didn’t have the energy to examine. And that request—don’t be so formal—it stung in a way he probably didn’t intend. She was being formal for a reason. It was a boundary, not a game.

She blinked at him, unimpressed. "Well, make sure to get that arm checked. Just in case. But forgive me—I’m running late."

She should have just walked away, mumbled a quick apology, handed him a napkin, and left. Not lingered. Not engaged. Definitely not given him the chance to say all that nonsense.

It was just a spilled coffee. Not like she stabbed a stake through his heart.

Leonard’s smile faltered for just a second. He nodded, slowly, as if weighing whether to say something more. But she was already gathering her bag and straightening her blazer.

As she moved past his chair, she caught a faint whiff of his cologne—clean and familiar in the most irritating way. She walked faster.

Once outside, the morning air greeted her with a gust that played with the hem of her coat. Katherine walked briskly to her car, heels clicking against the pavement, her heart racing for reasons she didn’t care to unpack.

She didn’t need coffee anymore. Not after this.

She was wide awake now.