Most relationships start with a cup of coffee between two people. Mine started with coffee for one.
I was sat in the little café in town, huddled in an armchair with a book. I sipped at my drink, savouring the sweet warmth as it slipped down my throat. I glanced up and looked around at the others in the shop. There were couples chatting, mothers meeting other mothers with their children, and people like myself who sat alone, those of simple minds just admiring the view. But one person caught my eye. He was sat across the room, upon one of the stools at the back. He appeared to be watching me, though I couldn't be sure as a curtain of dark hair was flopped over his eyes. He flicked it out of the way and saw me looking. We both blushed, and he smiled.
I continued to watch conspicuously over the top of my book at the man drank his coffee. About ten minutes later, he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and scribbled something on it in biro, before putting the pen back in his pocket and getting up. He walked past me on his way out and placed the paper on the table in front of me. I picked it up nonchalantly and read the flowing handwriting. Some numbers were written in the middle with words underneath.
'Call me. Your coffee shop admirer, Toni'
He had drawn a little heart underneath. Sap.
Nonetheless, I can't say I wasn't interested. I finished the last sip from my mug and got up, placing my book in my bag and making to leave.
I stepped out of the shop and caught sight of Toni across the street. He was stood at a vegetable stand, squeezing the tomatoes to test their firmness. I started in a light jog over to him.
"Hey! Toni!" I yelled.
He turned to me and looked in horror. I looked to my right to see a lorry headed right towards me. Panicking, I flailed around a little, not knowing what to do. Seconds before my certain death, I felt something slam into me and push me out of the way. My back hit the floor hard, and I groaned. I opened my eyes to see Toni, his arm wrapped protectively round me, lying atop my torso.
"Silly… jumping into the road just for me." He spoke with a Spanish accent.
"Th-Thank you." I stammered.
"Ah, you're Italian!" he recognized my accent.
"South Italian actually."
"My mistake. So what's your name?"
"Lovino. Call me Lovi."
"So Lovi… You feel like buying a friendly Spaniard a drink for saving your life?"
This guy was smooth. We got to our feet, him pulling me up by my hand. I tripped a little, and he caught me round my waist, making me blush.
"You've just had coffee, so you wont want a drink now."
"Ah, of course not."
"We could always… go to my house? Surely you'll be thirsty later…"
"My my, I thought it would take more than a simple gesture like that to gain your trust, Lovi."
"Simple gesture? You saved my life!"
"Yes, I suppose I did."
"How can I repay you?"
"Maybe… start like this."
He put his hand on the side of my face and pulled me up into a warm kiss. I put my hand on his waist as he played with my hair, smiling as he did so.
When I pulled away, I looked up into his eyes.
"So it's true what they say. Italians are good kissers." He smirked.
"Yeah. But South Italians are better."
I winked at him and he took my hand as we started down the road.
And that's how coffee for one and a near death experience became coffee for two.
