Bean & Butter Cafe

The air outside was crisp and warm with midday sun as Emily stepped out of the office, her phone buzzing with texts from the sitter. Chloe had finally gone down for her nap. No fuss. Just a content little blob of baby fat snoozing in a bassinet. For once, Emily didn’t feel like she had to rush home.

She walked three blocks down to Bean & Butter, a corner café she’d passed a dozen times but never stepped into. It smelled of strong espresso, flaky pastries, and sweet cinnamon butter. She took a seat at a small table near the window and exhaled slowly, soaking in the gentle hum of conversation and the clink of mugs against ceramic.

A girl with turquoise hair and glitter eyeliner handed her a small laminated menu.

Emily ordered a turkey pesto panini and an iced latte, then scanned the handwritten chalkboard of desserts at the counter.

Today’s Treat: Fudge F*cking Brownies – Limit One Per Person

The name made her laugh.

She thought it was just branding.

When the server returned, she smiled. “And I’ll take one of the brownies.”

The girl grinned, eyes dancing. “Sure you want the full one?”

Emily raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, why?”

“Nothing.” She winked. “Enjoy your lunch.”

-0-

The sandwich was good. Crisp, melty, savory.

The brownie?

Dense. Gooey. Warm from the oven. It melted in her mouth—chocolatey and impossibly rich. She licked a smudge off her thumb before she even realized she was doing it.

It was a nice day so she decided to sit on a park bench for an hour and relax before going back.

It hit her halfway back to the office.

A floaty warmth bloomed behind her eyes. Her limbs felt light, then loose. The edges of the buildings around her seemed to pulse slightly with the beat of her footsteps. Sunlight shimmered on parked car windows like glitter. Her mouth tingled. Her skin was suddenly too sensitive.

And her brain?

Everything felt funny. Not hilarious—just… off.

Delayed. Distant.

She blinked hard and rubbed her eyes.

Her phone buzzed in her purse, and the vibration startled her so badly she gasped.

By the time she stepped back into the office lobby, her heart was racing. The elevator ride to the fourth floor felt like it took thirty seconds and five years at once. She reached her desk and hesitated—swayed slightly.

Dale was gone.

Her screen was back on. Clean. Smooth.

Working.

But there was a note stuck to the bottom corner of her monitor.

"All set. Might be slower than normal until tomorrow, but then it should be fine. I'll see you then ;)"

She stared at it.

Was that… normal?

Or was it flirtatious?

Or was she just high?

Wait.

Wait.

The brownie.

That fucking brownie.

Her cheeks flushed hot. She dropped into her chair fast, heart pounding. The lights were so bright. Her shirt felt too tight. Her bra—Jesus, her nipples—were stiff and rubbing against the inside of her blouse in the most distracting way.

She tried to click open a file.

Her hand missed the mouse the first time.

She stifled a laugh. Or a groan. Or something in between.

“Holy shit,” she whispered. “I’m stoned.”

And just then—someone knocked softly on her doorframe.

She jumped.