Five Dollar Mocha: 6
The sidewalk outside the Starbucks is empty. The heat of his hand causes her to have no need for the jacket draped over her arm. They speak of unimportant things; the weather, the new Pizza Hut crust. It's as if they're saving the real conversation.

He directs her to enter a jazz bar, which in itself is a surprise to Sydney. She never expected him to like jazz. They sit in a booth near a back entrance, him sliding in first and placing his arm around her waist.

They spend a few minutes listening to the pianist. Then Michael looks at her, whispering as if to let her in on some great secret. "Now for something more my style." Sydney is surprised again; just being in his arms was a dream come true. She doesn't react as they go out the back door and walk down the alley behind the bar, until in front of them lies a large steel door. A large man stands guarding it and at the sight of them steps aside, opening the door. He nods at Michael, who nods back as he and Sydney make their way through the doorway.

Inside is a world completely different from the sultry setting of the bar they had been inside minutes previously. People are everywhere, moving to the live music and the resounding bass provided by multiple speakers set systematically around the large warehouse-looking building.

The shock that pulses through her is nothing like the look she gets from Michael that sets her on fire and her heart racing.

Almost immediately they are pulled into the mass of people. Sydney is reborn; the energy all around her getting sucked in as she moves her body. She casts a glance at Michael, who slips an arm around her and pulls her closer. His lips are on hers suddenly, and she wraps her arms around his neck, bringing to life the fantasy she has wished to live for almost a year. Bodies are brushing against them, attempting in vain to redirect their flowing passion.

As they separate, gasping for the oxygen they had ignored, they lock eyes. His green eyes—color she had noticed months ago—are haunting. There is a fire in them she has never noticed before. For a fleeting moment, she worries that he might think of her only as a one night stand, but the feeling disappears when she kisses him again. Her heart almost stops as the kiss ends and he says, "This is too fast."

The racing and stopping of her heart in such a short time period scares her.

"I really do like you Sydney, but I don't want this."

Still pressed against him, she is almost afraid to speak. "What is it?"

"I feel like I know you so well, but I really don't." She isn't breathing, ready to accept his rejection without falling apart. "I want to get to know you. The real you, not Sydney the coffeegirl." He grins, and she smiles back, finally able to breathe again.

"I want to get to know you too, Michael."

"You wanna go to the midnight movie?"

"Why? I thought this was 'your style'."

"You are never going to let that go, are you?"

"It's just so amusing..."

"Well, it'll be easier to talk. And I doubt anyone there will actually notice us talking, if you catch my drift."

"I've caught enough drift in my old age."

"Psh, old age."

"Psh! You never cease to amaze me."

"Who said I wanted to?"