Latte Boy: "Extra Foam"
As Sango instructed Inuyasha on how to make their drinks, Kagome watched him work from her seat. Her obvious stare caused all the hair to stand up on the back of his neck and a tingle to run down his spine. He tried paying attention to what Sango was teaching him, but ended up losing focus and making Kagome's drink with an excessive amount of foam.
"Shit..." Inuyasha cursed as the foam overflowed from the tiny saucer. "Should I make a new one?"
"Normally yes, but knowing Kagome's class schedule you won't have time to make another one." Sango sighed as she set the drink on the tray next to Eri's order. "Just apologize for the drink and give her a free one next time she comes in."
"Alright." Inuyasha sighed as his dog ears lowered dejectedly.
"Hey, don't let this one mistake discourage you." Sango smiled encouragingly. "It's not easy starting a new job, especially in a field you've never worked in before."
"Keh, I know that." Inuyasha scoffed. "It's the grumpy customers who aren't understanding that's the problem."
"There will always be grumpy customers. Even if you make the order correctly they'll still complain. The important thing is you try your best. Just give it some time. You'll get better with practice." Sango said as she patted his shoulder. "Plus, you're lucky that Kagome's your first messy order. She's totally chill when it comes to stuff like this. It won't faze her one bit having an extra foamy espresso."
"You sure about that?" Inuyasha asked as he set some napkins and paper straws on the tray. "She seemed really nervous being around me earlier."
"Nervous? Nervous how?" Sango asked as she looked over at Kagome and Eri's table.
"As in don't want to be around a half-demon kind of nervous." Inuyasha growled out just as Kagome once again turned to look away from him. "See, she won't even look at me!"
"What? No way!" Sango laughed as she observed her friend from afar. "Kagome would never judge you for something like that. She is the kindest, most welcoming, and accepting person I know!"
"Really?" Inuyasha blinked in surprise. "Then why doesn't she look at me?"
"I don't know?" Sango shrugged as she over-served her friend from afar. Her eyebrows lifted in surprise when she saw Kagome looking at them from under her lashes. She smirked knowingly when she saw the slight blush dusting Kagome's cheeks. "Maybe she thinks you're cute?"
"What?!" Inuyasha blushed. "No way!"
"Yes way!" Sango laughed as she noticed Kagome shyly tucking her hair behind her blush tipped ear. "I've known Kagome since middle school and not once have I seen her take an interest in a guy let alone blush like that before."
"Seriously?" Inuyasha asked in disbelief.
"Seriously." Sango nodded. "The only guy who's ever managed to get a date was Hojo and that was because she owed him a debt."
"Huh, I would have never guessed that coming from someone like her." Inuyasha said, making Sango's eyebrow lift.
"What do you mean?" Sango asked suspiciously, causing Inuyasha's cheeks to engulf in flames. She gasped when she saw him bashfully try to hide it by looking out the window. "What! No way! You think she's cute too!"
"Shut up!" Inuyasha grouched as he grabbed the tray of food. "I aint said nothin like that."
"Whatever you say, barista boy." Sango giggled as she playfully shoved his shoulder. "Now go deliver those drinks before they get cold."
"Ya ya!" Inuyasha grumped as he carefully began to walk towards their table.
-s-
"I can't wait to try that Danish! I can already taste its strawberry cream cheese center!" Eri fantasised as she and Kagome waited for their breakfast. "Do you want some of my bagel? I doubt I'll be able to eat them both."
silence...
"Kagome?" Eri called. She frowned when she saw Kagome once again staring off into space. Not getting her attention she poked her in the arm. "Kagome! Yo, earth to Kagome?"
"Huh?" Kagome blinked in surprise.
"Dude, I called your name like, five times! Are you sure you're alright?" Eri asked in concern. "You're awfully spacey today."
"Oh, yeah! I'm fine." Kagome quickly waved off. "Just tired is all."
"Hm..." Eri hummed thoughtfully as she looked her friend over from head to toe. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion when she noticed how pretty Kagome's hair and makeup were and perfectly coordinated outfit. "You don't look tired to me. If anything, you look like someone who purposefully dressed up today."
"Don't be silly." Kagome laughed off awkwardly. "I'm just regular o'l me!"
"No, no there's definitely something different about you today." Eri pondered as she looked her friend over once again. She gasped when everything that had transpired over the past two days suddenly clicked in her head. "You dressed up for a boy!"
"Don't be ridiculous. As if that would happen." Kagome blushed, causing Eri's smile to turn wicked.
"OMG! I can't believe it finally happened! Kagome, the girl who's too picky for her own good finally has a crush!" Eri squealed in excitement causing Kagome to shrink in her seat in embarrassment.
"Shh!" Kagome scolded harshly as she quickly looked around to make sure no one was paying attention. "Not so loud!"
"Sorry! Sorry!" Eri giggled. "I just can't believe I didn't notice it until now! I mean, all the signs were there and everything!"
"What signs?" Kagome asked in concern.
If Eri had noticed, did that mean Inuyasha did too? Her face paled at the idea.
"Come on now. Don't play dumb." Eri chuckled as she crossed her arms over her chest. "You've been day dreaming and stumbling over yourself since yesterday and even dressed up for class."
"I can't dress up for class now?" Kagome tried to play off.
"Of course you can!" Eri nodded. "It's just that dressing up for class is so out of character for you. I mean come on. what else am I supposed to think when you're suddenly wearing makeup and a sun dress? It makes sense for you to not wear your baggy jeans and sneakers now that you've got your eyes set on a cute boy. So who is he? Who's the guy who finally passed the test to get your attention?"
"Not telling." Kagome shook her head determinedly. "It's for me to know and for you to never find out."
"You're so mean..." Eri pouted.
"Besides, there's no way someone like him would ever date me." Kagome sighed as she leaned back in her seat.
"Why not?" Eri asked.
"He's way out of my league." Kagome explained as a sad smile curled her lips.
"What makes you think that?" Eri asked in confusion.
"For one, he's super hot. I mean, demigod hot with the bod, hair, attitude and everything." Kagome said, making Eri giggled. "There's no way someone as beautiful and perfect as him is not taken. Plus, he comes from an established family with loads of money and has a long term goal far surpassing my own."
"Sounds dreamy." Eri cooed, causing Kagome to giggle.
"I know... I just wish he could be more than just a dream to me." Kagome said as she bashfully looked over at Inuyasha from the corner of her eye.
She smiled gently when she saw him trying to make her double latte. Even from here she could see his grumpy scowl and the excessive amount of foam coming from her cup. Knowing he was working so hard to make their morning coffee to the best of his abilities made her giggle. He was just too cute. She gasped and quickly turned away from him when he and Sango looked in her direction.
"Oh no! Did they see me watching them?" Kagome blushed as she tried to stay calm. Needing to check she looked over at them once again from the corner of her eye. Sure enough he and Sango were still watching her. "Crap... they saw me!"
Unfortunately for Kagome they weren't the only ones to see her blushing.
"No way... " Eri chuckled in disbelief. "No freakin way..."
"What?" Kagome asked nervously.
"You've got the hots for Inuyasha!" Eri exclaimed, causing Kagome's eyes to widen in shock.
"Shh!" Kagome paled as she practically jumped across the table to cover Eri's mouth. "Seriously girl! Do you want all of Japan to know my business?!"
"Sorry!" Eri laughed as she removed Kagome's hand from her mouth. "I just can't believe out of all the attractive guys who've asked you out you choose him."
"So what?" Kagome snapped defensively. "What's wrong with him?"
"Nothing! Nothing at all!" Eri quickly defended. "He's attractive and everything, I just didn't take you to be a half-demon kinda girl."
"Give me some credit Eri." Kagome scoffed as she tried to cool down her blush. "I know I'm picky when it comes to guys but I'm not going to discriminate against him because of his race. He can't help how he was born!"
"So you're not scared he might hurt you with his fangs or his claws?" Eri asked in surprise.
"No way." Kagome shook her head. "They only add to his masculine charm."
"What about his dog-ears?" Eri asked.
"I love those the most." Kagome blushed as she fiddled with her skirt anxiously. "Honestly, I think everything about him is attractive. I called him a demigod, remember?"
"Heck yeah you did." Eri winked just as Inuyasha picked up their tray. "Speak of the devil, here comes your Inu-Kami now."
"What?" Kagome squeaked just as she looked over her shoulder to see her golden eyed barista boy.
"Sorry for the wait. If you don't like em I'll make you new ones." Inuyasha apologized as he set the tray on the table. "It took me a while to learn how to use the machines."
"Don't worry about it." Kagome smiled as she grabbed her double latte off the tray. She hummed when the bitter warm drink ran down her throat. "Thanks for the extra foam. It tastes great!"
"Keh, you're welcome." Inuyasha blushed as he rubbed the back of his neck bashfully. "Can I get you both anything else?"
"No, I think we're good." Eri said as she cut into her Danish bite.
"Cool." Inuyasha nodded as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Well, enjoy!"
"Thanks!" Eri and Kagome said together.
Just before Inuyasha turned away from the table his eyes locked one last time with Kagome's. As before, her heart beat momentarily picked up in rhythm and the scent of sweaty palms filled his nose. Unlike before however, her nervousness now included a shy smile and an equally beautiful blush across her nose. With his sinuses cleared by the coffee grounds, the previous smell of sweat and ginger (nervousness) was now accompanied by the alluring scents of cinnamon (attraction) and oranges (excitement). The potential made his inner beast purr with anticipation.
"Well, I'll be damned..." Inuyasha smirked to himself as he swaggered back to the register. "Maybe this new gig ain't so bad after all?"
[End of Chapter 3]
Author's Note:
Well, what do you all think so far of Latte Boy? Be sure to leave a review with your thoughts. I'd love to read them! Also, don't forget to click the follow button so you're updated when the next chapter is posted.
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Until next time friends!
-TG1