Grounded

Chapter 2: Invitation

by Lynn Saunders


Anna was hoping a week away from the office would help her relax, but it's only day two, and she has already responded to a dozen work emails, cleaned the top of the refrigerator, and dusted all of the baseboards in her flat as an outlet for her nervous energy. She'd longed for a break from the monotony of the daily routine at the agency, but now that she's immersed in free time, she can't quite rest. It doesn't help that she can't push away the memory of barrelling into the tall barista, of his kind eyes and warm, strong hands. Now there's a potential distraction she would eagerly employ if given the opportunity, and the thought of it makes her face burn. Unrealistic, she thinks sadly. Alas, Anna's recent Saturday nights have consisted of Netflix and takeout, pajamas by eight o'clock. Gwen knows this, of course, so tonight she crashes the party. She might not be Anna's oldest friend, but she's definitely her closest, and thank God she's here.

"You ran into the hot coffee bloke?!"

Anna nods and covers her eyes with her hand briefly. The more she thinks about it, the more embarrassing it is. In the moment, he'd made everything seem so comfortable.

"You physically ran into him, you mean? You bowled him over?" Gwen looks as if she's trying not to burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"I hit him hard enough that he stumbled, and I dropped my things."

Gwen snorts. "Nothing embarrassing, I hope. Like a bunch of tampons and ice cream?"

Anna grins, shaking her head. "Or a giant box of condoms?"

"As if you'd need a giant box of condoms."

Anna narrows her eyes with mock indignation, and Gwen lifts both hands in surrender.

"It was coffee, actually."

"What?"

"Coffee beans."

"You ran into the barista while you were carrying coffee beans?" Gwen is incredulous. "Well, there you have it. It's fate. There's nothing anyone can do about it now; the stars have aligned."

"But no pressure, right?" Anna laughs, rolling her eyes for her friend's benefit. She shakes crushed red pepper onto her pizza while Gwen makes a face.

"It's time for you to get back out there, though. Past time."

"So you've said."

Gwen takes another bite, munching thoughtfully. "What was in his basket?"

"He didn't have one, actually. I think he was helping his Mum with her grocery shopping."

Gwen blinks at her for a moment. "So, here is a bloke who you think is quite easy on the eyes, who gives you free desserts, is sweet enough to take his mother grocery shopping on the weekend - which, by the way, is just about the cutest thing I've ever heard of - and he makes a mean latte? It's obvious you fancy him. What are you waiting for, exactly?"

Anna sighs and sips her wine. That is the question, isn't it?


On Monday morning, Anna once again appears later than usual at the coffee house door. She takes the overstuffed chair by the shop's small open hearth and pulls out a book. When he delivers her order with a fresh blueberry muffin on the side, she gives him an endearing little smirk.

"Mr. Bates... Thank you."

"You're one of my best customers. I want to keep you happy."

On the contrary, simply hearing her say his name that way, drawing out the vowel in her Yorkshire lilt, is worth any number of homemade treats, but he's nowhere near brave enough to say it. The fire is burning low, so he moves to tend it, adding another log, and he thinks he can feel her eyes on him as he works.

"This is a wonderful old storefront," she says. "I love being able to sit by the fire like this."

He grins down at her. "You should do it more often." It suits you, he thinks, then he looks away quickly, running his hand along the stone mantle.

"Well, I'll enjoy it while I can. Come next week, I'll be back from my holiday."

"Ah, so that's why you're suddenly not part of the early morning crowd." They hold each other's gaze for a long moment, and he finds that his next words tumble out with surprising ease. "Will we be seeing you tomorrow night, then?"

At her confused expression, he retrieves a flier from the front counter. "We're having an open house of sorts."

"Oh? I hadn't seen the announcement."

He nods and dips his head. "Yes, well, unfortunately advertising is not our strong suit."

She laughs. "I could help you, you know. It's what I do." She fishes a business card out of her bag and offers it to him.

Anna May Smith, Crawley Promotions. He wonders in passing if she might know Rob.

"I wouldn't want to be a bother."

She smiles. "I'd like to do something to make up for all of the complimentary treats. That's, um... That's my mobile number on the back." Her cheeks flush just a little, he thinks. Just barely.

"Well, I hope you'll come to the party, then. We'll have cake."

"You know what I like," she says, and they grin at each other until the chime of the front door pulls him away. Later, as Anna leaves, their eyes meet across the room, and she nods at him before ducking out into the bright blue winter afternoon.

In the kitchen, William catches John studying her name and number. "You two seem to get on well."

John carefully tucks the card into his breast pocket. "Do we?" He focuses on cleaning a large carafe so that he'll have an excuse not to look up.

Thomas has chosen this moment to return from his smoke break, and he scoffs at the idea. "Fat chance of anything coming of it. Bates here is old enough to be her dad."

John fixes him with a withering glare. "Just how old do you think I am, exactly?"

Thomas shrugs and slouches against the counter.

"He got her number, didn't he?" William retorts, and John raises his eyebrows at that, but says nothing further on the matter.

Of course, Thomas can't leave it there. "Out of pity, maybe."

He lets the carafe clank heavily into the sink. "Are you going to actually do any work today?" He knows he shouldn't react, but there's just something about Thomas that sets his teeth on edge. The younger man smirks, and John kicks himself for letting his impatience show.

"You don't run this place, Mr. Bates."

John can only give an enigmatic smile in answer.


* Beta by terriejane and giginutshell.

* I am American, and I'm insecure about my modern day conversational British English. Please let me know if I have botched things up terribly.