Chapter 2

Sakura hated reading digital copies of books. She always, always, always bought physical copies at the bookstore in her neighborhood. There was just something about a physical book that gave her a deeper connection to the story. It also helped the family that owned the bookstore, which was a bonus.

Sakura had just stopped at the bookstore for the next book in the trilogy she was reading and decided to stop at the coffee shop. It was her day off, but she was never the type to avoid a job when not working. Ino was that way; she even avoided walking past the coffee shop, which Sakura thought was dramatic of her.

As Sakura walked to the coffee shop, she wondered if she would see her Number 1 customer. She wasn't a narcissist by any means, but she had a suspicion he only came in when she was working. The idea was a little crazy, she would admit, because her schedule was far from consistent. There was no way he knew when she would be working. Statistically speaking, however, her theory was correct. She had covered Ino's shifts many times over the past year, and he didn't come in once during any of those days.

Why would he only come in when she was working, though? She couldn't figure that part out or how she would feel if it were true. Did she want him to only come to see her? Would it be creepy or flattering?

The bell on the door chimed as she opened it, and her eyes quickly swept around the seating area. She didn't see him anywhere and a sense of relief washed over her.

"Hey, Sakura!" Ino said from behind the counter. She reached for a small cup, which Sakura usually took to go, but then saw the book in her arms. She put the small back and grabbed a large.

"You know me so well," Sakura said, smiling. Ino knew that if Sakura was staying at the coffee shop to start a book, she would be there for hours. A small drink just wouldn't do. "I'll have a hot chocolate with caramel drizzle."

As Ino made the drink, Sakura looked around the seating area again. She gave a small wave to an elderly couple a few booths away, who came in for cake every Tuesday afternoon after playing bingo at the senior center. A few teenagers crowded around another booth, laughing loudly with red faces.

The door to the office opened and Gai stepped out. He held the door open as if waiting for someone to follow. Sakura watched with interest, wondering who else was working. To her surprise, it wasn't a worker at all.

It was her Number 1 customer.

"Thanks for stopping by," Gai was saying. "I know you weren't planning on coming in today. Your selfless character and shining personality have saved the coffee shop once again."

The supposed Savior of the Coffee Shop rubbed the back of his head and gave a polite laugh. "Gai, we talked about this. There's no need to thank me every time I stop in."

Sakura's mouth almost dropped. She had never heard him say so much at once, and his voice really was just that deep. She had always wondered if he only used his deep voice for the one-linters he gave her, and now she had her answer.

"You might catch flies if you keep your mouth open too long," Ino said, giving Sakura her drink. "I'll just put this on your employee tab."

"Huh? Okay, sure."

Gai and the man were still talking. Gai seemed to be carrying the conversation, but the man didn't seem uncomfortable, either. Just not as active a participant. Gai finally said, "I'm going to head back in the office. I'll see you later tonight."

"Sakura," Ino hissed. The pinkette looked back quickly. "He's about to walk back over here, and I'll be damned if you make yourself look like an idiot in front of Mr. Hottie."

"You don't even know what he looks like," Sakura hissed back. "He's always wearing that beanie and covering his face."

"It doesn't matter." Ino handed her his coffee order, which he must have ordered before talking with Gai. "The rest of him is sexy, and I know you have a crush on him."

"I do not-" Sakura spun around- "Hey, Dante. What's shaking?"

His eye crinkled as he took his drink from her. "Nice to see you on your day off." He raised his cup to Ino in thanks and strolled back to his table in the corner, where his laptop was already sitting.

Ino smacked Sakura on the back of her head. "Seriously? What's shaking? What the hell is wrong with you? He clearly likes you, and you're about to blow it."

"He does not. Stop saying that."

"He just said it was nice to see you on your day off. That's basically him saying he misses you when you're not here." She waved her hands at Sakura as if it was the most obvious conclusion that could be made from his statement. "It's a good thing you're going to see him outside of this shop and in normal clothes."

Sakura looked down at herself. She was technically wearing the uniform — white shirt, black pants, and black shoes — even though it was her day off. There was nothing wrong with the outfit in her mind. It was comfortable, plain, and could be used at work. Clothes were clothes.

Sakura didn't have to ask Ino why she was going to see him outside of the coffee shop, because Ino was already offering, "Gai told me he was going to the new bar across town with a few friends tonight, and apparently that includes our mystery man. We're going."

"No way," Sakura said quickly. "You know I don't do bars. Besides, I need to finish this book today or I will literally die."

"No butts! I'll be over later tonight to get you ready." She pushed her back away from the counter. "Now go sit down and read your book before you 'literally die'."

Sakura sat by herself at a table, reading her book. She took a sip of her now-cold hot chocolate every few minutes and read until it was gone, never noticing the pair of dark eyes watching her from across the room.