Coffee


Sam sighed softly, one hip propped against the serving counter as her eyes roamed the deserted interior of her small café. The sweet smell of cinnamon and baking bread still lingered from the fresh batch of cinnamon buns she'd just put in the display case. She probably wouldn't sell a single one today. Mrs. Danolly, the homeless woman who'd taken up residence in the ally behind the small coffee shop, would be delighted by the donation.

Outside, rain lashed against the windows in sheets and thunder rumbled menacingly in the distance as the storm grew in intensity. The weather prediction for the day had called for slight cloud cover with a cool breeze, a perfect day to hole up in a local café and eat cinnamon buns. The downpour had come out of nowhere.

Sam was debating the merits of closing early and going home to curl up with Netflix and a mug of spiked cocoa when the little bell above the entrance jungled cheerfully. She perked up as two people spilled into the cozy interior of her shop, soaking wet and leaving a puddle on her rustic faux wood floors.

Oh.

They were…stunning. Both strangers had dark hair, flawless skin and cheekbones that should have been illegal. Even with their disheveled appearance it was impossible to miss just how stupidly attractive they both were. Or maybe Sam was just projecting because she hadn't gotten laid in nearly a year. Both were possible.

The woman was giggling gleefully where she leaned into her companion's side, arms wrapping around his middle to keep her balance when she teetered dangerously in her six inch stilettos. One heel was broken. She murmured something too low for Sam to hear, bringing one hand up to ruffle the man's dark hair with a grin, raindrops flying in every direction with the gesture.

"Yes Izzy, I'm well aware." He rolled his eyes fondly, hooking an arm around her and hauling her over to a table to deposit her unceremoniously into a chair. After a quick conversation, presumably to ask her drink order, he dropped a kiss to the top of her head before straightening up and making made his way over to the counter.

He moved with an effortless grace and the way his soaked jeans clung to strong thigh muscles made Sam want to fan herself and swoon like some Victorian maiden. She forcefully resisted the urge to check for drool and smiled brightly, looking up, and then up some more, to meet vibrant hazel eyes. Dear god he was tall. It was possible she was a little bit in love. Definitely a little bit in lust.

"Hi!" She was grateful when her voice came out steady, if perhaps a touch breathless. It wasn't every day members of the Greek pantheon came into your coffee shop to escape the rain. "What can I get for you?"

"Uhm…" He absently brushed a stray lock of dark hair behind his ear as he scanned the menu and Sam couldn't help the way her eyes followed a stray water droplet down the corded muscles of his bare forearm. Shit. People were not supposed to be this pretty. "Large hot chocolate and a caramel latte with whipped cream."

There was a gasp and the woman with him, Izzy - wife? girlfriend? the thought was a little depressing - made a triumphant noise from behind him, sitting a little straighter in her chair. Her expression was one of delighted satisfaction as she clapped her hands together in front her, full red lips curling up mischievously. "I knew it! Jace owes me 20 bucks."

Sam didn't know what expression her face was making as she looked between them, but the man huffed out a laugh as he handed his card over to pay for their drinks. "You're both children," he said over his shoulder before his gaze caught on the freshly baked cinnamon rolls in the pastry case. "Oh, can I get one of those as well?"

"Oh my god, Alec….are you…are you ordering sweets?" The woman gasped theatrically, pretty dark eyes glittering wickedly.

Sam couldn't suppress her smile this time when the man, Alec, rolled his eyes again. They must have been siblings, or maybe childhood friends, she realized. The teasing between them saturated with that exasperated affection that only people who had grown up together could achieve.

Feeling bold, Sam dropped him a wink as she plated the cinnamon bun and passed it across the counter. "On the house." After all, a little harmless flirting never hurt anyone. She certainly hadn't expected his owlish blink, expression bewildered as he accepted the plate with minor hesitation.

"Oh…uh, I uh…thanks."

Across the room Izzy choked on a lough and Sam nearly died. How could someone so tall and intimidating look so adorably confused. Had nobody ever flirted with this man? Did people not have eyes? "Let me just get those drinks started. I'll bring them over to you."

He nodded at her, still looking a little bemused, before ambling over to the table to drop into the chair across from his presumed sister, who was grinning a little bit wolfishly. She was clearly amused by his flustered state.

"You're sharing that Hermano."

"Not a chance, you heathen, get your own."

Sam couldn't help chuckling quietly when Alec pulled the plate closer to himself, batting his sister's hand – thank you 9th grade Spanish - away when she reached for it. He eventually relented, after nearly a full minute of pouting on Izzy's part, and tore the roll in half. He pushed the plate towards her grabby hands with a dramatic, long-suffering sigh, one corner of his mouth curling up in amusement.

Quickly finishing up their drink orders, Sam delivered them to their table before retreating behind her counter and pretending to look busy. If she kept surreptitiously glancing over so she could watch their lighthearted banter and carry some of that warmth and love home with her for later, well, that was nobody's business but her own. Besides, they were delightful to look at.


AN: I haven't really done the outsider POV type of story before so I wanted to try something a little different with the "Coffee" prompt. Hopefully it didn't disappoint. As always, reviews and constructive criticism always appreciated.

-GPO