"Don't be a Stranger"
The coffee shop was always Beca's first order of business in a morning; it didn't matter if she was running late for work, or the queue was out of the door – one way or another Beca would make her same coffee order no matter what.
This morning it was grey and gloomy; the dark winter mornings making the desire for caffeine that little bit stronger. She weaved in and out of the people on the sidewalk and internally applauded at the sight of the shop door. The glow from the lights shone through the windows, casting a shadow onto the street. Beca couldn't help but quickly pull at the handle and smile as the warmth of the store soothed her cold hands.
The queue was longer today; several customs stood in line, impatient sighs and tapping feet echoing over the faint sound of the radio. Beca took out her phone to check the time; she had eleven minutes left until she was late for work, but once coffee calls, Beca knows she has to answer – no matter how long it takes.
Eleven minutes later and she was nearing to the front of the till – she was one tall man in a suit away from holding a hazelnut latte in her hands. Beca turned her head to browse at the menu, scanning the lunch options and contemplating returning later for the Panini.
"Hey, the usual?"
Beca lost her train of thought and brought her attention to the redhead in front of her. Chloe (Beca checked her name tag the first time she made her coffee - No, it's not weird) greeted her with the same warm smile she did most mornings and picked up one of the take-out paper cups.
"Yeah, please."
In all honesty, Beca preferred it when Chloe made her coffee – it always seemed to taste better and Beca's one hundred percent sure it has something to do with how much she actually likes her. The first time they met, Beca was unprepared; the usually grumpy lady with a mono brow had been replaced and by god was it an improvement. Not only did Chloe remember her order, but Beca thought her beauty was definitely that something to sweeten the deal.
They quickly fell into their usual chatter about Beca's work and how busy Chloe's morning had been until her latte was ready and on the counter. A quick swipe of a loyality card and the correct amount of change, and Beca was picking up her cup and about to make her way out.
"Hey, you forgot something."
Beca turned around, a look of confusion on her face. She glanced down to see her coffee and iPhone in her hands, as well as her bag resting on her shoulder before she replied.
"Yeah?"
Chloe was motioning her back over, and for some reason Beca was rushing to get there. The hot contents in her cup shaking around and warming her hands.
"Yep, you forgot this..."
Chloe's tone seemed less professional and more playful now. The way it was when they spoke in between ordering and paying; Beca liked it. She dragged her eyes to the napkin being pushed over the counter, and shoved her phone in a pocket. Once she clawed it closer with her fingers, Beca noticed the numbers in black ink scribbled across it.
"My number."
The shorter woman's eyes widened upon hearing the sentence and quickly shot up to see a playful smirk on Chloe's lips, followed by a wink.
"Oh, urm..."
She wasn't sure what to say. Out of all the possible scenarios this morning could have thrown at her, this one; Chloe actually writing her number on a napkin; was right below seeing pigs fly.
"Come on, it's a onetime offer. Take the napkin..." she paused with a smile. There was a beat of silence before she finally held the soft paper in her hand and realised Chloe was waiting for her to say something.
"Oh, I'm Beca."
Her voice was shy, and the raised tone at the end made it sound like she was asking a question.
"OK, Beca, well let me be honest, I don't give my number to all of my customers, so that means your special. Take the napkin and call me once you get off work?"
Chloe was smiling, resting her forearms on the counter and literally levelling with her; in more ways than one. Beca couldn't help but let her eyes fall down to her lips for a second, before letting out a nervous laugh.
"OK."
And that was it. Beca had no retort, no smooth line; just a very unsure and bland OK, but it seemed to work and Chloe was standing up straight again and turning her attention to one of the coffee machines. Instead of attempting to say anything else, the brunette picked up her cup and proceeded to make her way out of the shop for a second time. There was a huge smile on her face, as she studied the number in her hand again.
"Don't be stranger!"
Beca heard a faint giggle follow, and she was out of the coffee shop, back into the cold, and now nine minutes late to work, but at least she had Chloe's number; that was by far already the highlight of her day.
XXX