It had been about three weeks since Jasey and I had woken up in the same house as Guns 'N' Roses and we hadn't run into the band since. Ever since Jasey had decided to sign us up as Axl's merch slaves, I had tried-and failed-on multiple occasions to get her to change her mind before it was too late. However, her heart was set on rockstar loins and the open road and not even I could change that.

I was currently chilling behind the counter of the cafe, during yet another slow day at work. Seeing as Jasey wasn't changing her mind, I had given my manager a heads up that I would be leaving by the end of the month. He didn't like that I was ditching the cafe, and I suspected he was giving me less hours and scheduling me to work during slower days on purpose.

I was fiddling with a couple of stir sticks, drumming the beat to "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" on the counter when the bell over the door rang. I glanced up to see who had entered and dropped my imaginary drum sticks in shock.

"Hey! Izzy told me you worked here."

Duff beamed and waved at me as he sauntered over to the register and leaned against the counter.

"He mentioned that this was where he first saw you. Is that why you knew him at the club?"

I nodded, my cheeks beginning to burn. Izzy, at least when I had first met him, had been a regular customer named Jeff. He had been laid back, albeit a tad cocky, therefore I did not feel then how I felt now under Duff's soft gaze. Duff, I knew, was a famous and extremely attractive man in a world famous band and he was talking to me one on one right now while I was in my frumpy, green uniform with my hair in a messy ponytail. I knew it was vain, but I suddenly really wished I had put more effort into my appearance before heading into work today.

"Yeah. He told me his name was Jeff," I muttered.

Duff chuckled. "Not a total lie."

I shrugged. "I guess. What can I get for you?"

Duff leaned against the counter, a serious expression on his face. "An espresso con panna. Shaken, not stirred."

I rolled my eyes and snorted. "Right away sir."

I turned to begin making his drink.

So, he's the ass hole who ordered the espresso con panna the first time, I thought to myself bitterly. Thinking back to the order Izzy had given me the first day we met, I had hated that order because I enjoyed being lazy on slow days where I'm all alone at the register. Remembering that day, I couldn't help but wonder who had ordered the black coffee.

I finished up Duff's espresso and set it down on the counter in between us. He looked down at it and smiled.

"All set?"

"Yes, sir," I nodded. "That'll be four dollars and sixty-five cents."

Duff dug into his pocket, pulling out his wallet and handing me the ten dollar bill he pulled from it. As I rang him up, he began drumming his fingers against the counter.

"You and Jasey still gonna' tour with us?"

I nodded, counting out his change.

"You excited?"

I shrugged. "Jasey is more stoked than I am, honestly."

"Why's that?" He seemed genuinely confused. I'm sure that he was used to girls falling all over him, and I didn't blame them. He was gorgeous and had the whole bad boy vibe going on. It's just that I still felt uneasy. I'd heard stories about some of the crazy things bands did on tour, and I didn't know just yet how crazy Guns was.

"I'm more or less in it to babysit Jasey. It's nothing personal. I just...didn't plan on this. And I hate when Jasey puts me in these types of positions."

Duff nodded, an understanding smirk on his face. After a moment of silence, I felt his hand rest itself on top of my head, pushing down on my ponytail. He ruffled my hair lightly before trailing his fingers through my ponytail, twisting and toying lightly with the golden strands of my hair.

"Don't worry too much, Abby," he said softly. "Maybe, instead of dreading it, think of it as an adventure. You'll get to see the world and get free passes to a shit ton of shows."

I shrugged lightly, looking down at the register.

He tugged lightly at my hair and I looked back up at him. His face had a comforting smile on it and I couldn't help but smile back.

"Don't worry, Abby. I wouldn't let anything happen to you or Jasey."

I blushed lightly and looked away. "I'll try to chill out."

He grinned. "Good. Then I'll be seeing you soon."

Duff turned to leave, his espresso in hand.

"Oh, Duff!" I called out.

He stopped at the door and looked back over his shoulder, lowering his aviators until they shielded his eyes. "Yeah?"

"Which one of you guys orders the black coffee?"

Duff's eye brows furrowed and I knew he was probably thinking there was something wrong with me. Still, he smiled and answered, "Izzy. He always gets black coffee."

I blinked dumbly, watching as he disappeared out the door. Izzy had been the one ordering the black coffee all along? I guess that suited him. Black coffee was plain, strong, and a "what you see is what you get" kind of drink.

Thinking of Duff, I noticed that his drink seemed to suit him as well. The espresso con panna was a more popular drink, more fun and tasty, and definitely looked better than boring old coffee.

I silently grabbed a damp towel and began cleaning the counter and the various cafe machines, all the while trying to think of which drink it was out of the two that I preferred.