Chapter 15 - Catherine.exe Has Stopped Working

There are a lot of things Catherine expects when she walks into the bodega. A fight? Absolutely. A stupid remark? Of course. Me complimenting her? Never.

Which is exactly why I do it.

She steps inside, looking like she just came from work—business coat, glasses perched on her nose, hair pulled back like she's got a full agenda of judging people.

And something's different.

I don't know what it is at first, but I notice it. Something about her looks… nice.

So, before I can stop myself, I say it.

"Oh. That actually looks nice on you."

Silence.

Luis freezes behind the counter. Catherine freezes mid-step.

The world stops turning.

Catherine blinks at me, like her brain is actively rejecting my words. Processing. Buffering. Struggling.

Luis, grinning, watching her malfunction: "Oh? Speechless?"

Catherine immediately turns, grabs her tea, and walks straight back out.

Luis and I watch her leave in complete silence.

Then Luis whistles. "Damn. You broke her."

I take a sip of my coffee, shrugging. "I like to keep her on her toes."