Hey guys, I'm really sorry that I haven't updated in almost a month! I've been super busy lately 'cause I've been on vacation and I've been doing summer AP homework (bleeh). I really appreciate all the kind reviews that I've been getting! You guys really inspire me to buck up and continuing writing copious amounts of fluff ;) Well, without further ado, I hope you guys enjoy...Espresso and Geraniums chap. 3
Espresso and Geraniums Chapter 3
"One double shot caramel espresso!" Alex called out to Lafayette, who was working behind the counter.
"Coming right up!" Laf yelled back.
It was just another Monday morning at the Espresso of Tonight and the coffee shop was teeming with early morning risers, pretentious office workers, and exhausted college students. Lafayette, Hamilton, Mulligan, and Laurens had been working tirelessly to keep up with the copious amount of orders that just seemed to keep coming and coming.
"Here's your Americano, sir," Hamilton said politely, handing the cup to a man texting furiously on his iPhone. The man grabbed his coffee, somehow doing it without looking up from his phone, and proceeded to walk out the coffee shop door without even giving Alex a nod of thanks.
"Asshole," Alex muttered under breath, looking up when he heard a giggle coming from the counter opposite of him, across the store. Eliza was holding her hand to her mouth, trying her hardest not to laugh. Alex blushed, realizing that he had that much louder than he meant to.
Alex looked back at Eliza, embarrassed, and offered her a small wave. Eliza smiled at him and gave him a small wave back, before turning to help an old woman find flowers.
After Eliza turned away from him, Alex took a moment to admire her so in her element. Eliza's hair was in its usual ponytail and she wore a blue blouse and skinny jeans that were covered by a pink apron that stated proudly "Schuyler Florals". Eliza was chatting animatedly with the older woman, pointing out different types of flowers that Alex assumed she thought the older woman might like.
Eliza looks enchanting like this, Alex thought leaning his head against his hand, which was resting on the counter. Suddenly he felt a wet towel hit him on the back and Alex sprung up from his daydreaming.
"Alex, stop daydreaming! We have a line full of customers waiting to be served!" Laurens hissed at Alex. It was then that Alexander finally noticed the long line of angry looking customers who looked liked they needed more than a cup of coffee to get them in a good mood.
"Oh, yeah, umm...sorry," Alex replied, sheepishly, turning toward a very angry looking woman, "what'll it be, ma'am?"
"Thank you so much for the flowers, dear."
"It's really no problem, ma'am, I'm glad that you like them. I'm sure that your granddaughter will love them!" Eliza exclaimed, smiling, as she presented the freshly made bouquet of flowers to the woman standing in front of her.
"I sure hope so," the woman says, smiling back, before leaning conspiratorially towards Eliza, "not that it's my business or anything, dear, but the man across the shop is staring at you, are you two dating?"
Eliza looked up to whom the older woman was nodding at and noticed that she was looking at Alex. Eliza blushed, "No, we're not dating."
"I'm sure that he wants to, though," the lady said, smiling slightly.
"Do you really think so?" Eliza asked, her heart already starting to beat faster at the prospect of Alex wanting to go out with her.
"Oh yes, dear. He hasn't been able to take his eyes off you!" The woman exclaimed, laughing. "Do you like him as well?"
Eliza blushed even more furiously at the question but answered the question with a slight sigh, "Yes, but I'm not sure that he likes me back. He might have been looking at me just to check up on me."
"Honey, if I know anything about men, and I do," the woman said, winking, "I'm one hundred percent sure that, that boy is head over heels for you!"
"I sure hope so," Eliza said, giving the woman a small smile, "have a fantastic day, ma'am."
"You too, sweetie," the woman said, walking away from Eliza's counter.
Little did Eliza realize, the woman was Martha Washington, the landlord's wife, and Alex's close friend.
The rush was just coming to an end when Alex finished his morning shift. He was wiping down the counter when he heard a familiar voice say, "Are you having a good day, Alexander?"
Alex looked up and smiled, "Oh hey, Mrs. Washington, what's up?"
"You see that woman over there?" Martha asked, glancing in Eliza's direction, "The one who works at the flower counter?"
"Eliza? Yeah, what about her," Alex said, trying to sound as casual as he could even though his heart started to pound out a furious beat at the mention of her name.
"Oh, stop trying to hide it, Alexander, I already know that you like the poor girl," Martha said, mock whispering to Alex.
Alex's face turned as red as a tomato and he began to sputter, "No, umm, you must be mistaken, I don't-"
Martha rested a comforting hand on Alex's arm, "It's okay, Alex, calm down."
Alex couldn't keep it in anymore, "I can't be calm! Do you see how pretty and polite she is?! She's so smart and hardworking as well! How could she possibly like someone like me?" Alex got quieter towards the end of his tirade and was frowning while watching Eliza arrange a small bouquet of flowers for her display case.
"You underestimate yourself, Alexander. You're also intelligent and hardworking and any girl would be lucky to have you," Martha stated.
"Well, what do you propose I do?" Alex inquired, still looking hopelessly over at Eliza's side of the shop.
"Well, first of all, I would start by making her a hot cup of coffee."
Alex whacked his head with his hand, muttering "Why didn't I think of that?" A couple of seconds later Alex got his bearing and exclaimed, "Martha you're a genius!" He then promptly turned around and started to make a latte for Eliza.
Martha just smiled and walked out of the door, smiling to herself. Perhaps she should become a matchmaker.
Eliza hummed to herself, placing a freshly made bouquet into her new display case. She stood back for a second just taking everything in. She couldn't help but smile, thinking about just how perfect her life was right now. She had everything she had ever dreamed of. Still humming, Eliza twirled around and almost ran into someone behind her. In an effort not to completely knock the unsuspecting stranger over, Eliza swerved to the side but then proceeded to trip over her ballet flat. Suddenly an arm reached out and pulled her into a firm chest.
"Are you okay, Eliza?" A concerned voice asked her... a familiar concerned voice.
Eliza looked up and saw Alex with concern in his eyes. "Oh yes, I'm fine, Alex, I'm very sorry for almost falling into you," Eliza said, a bit breathily. It was only then that she noticed how tight he was holding her to him and how she could feel the muscles where she was holding onto his upper arms. Eliza blushed for the third time that day. Stop it! She chastised herself, Sure he's attractive, but you're not a damsel in distress!
Alex chuckled quietly, and Eliza found that she liked the sound of his laugh very much. "It's fine, sweetheart, are you good for me to let go of you?"
Eliza perked up at the use of the pet name and replied, "Yes! Sorry again!" Eliza let go of Alexander's arms and backed a couple of feet away from his, only slightly missing the feel of his arms holding onto her. "Is there something that you needed, Alex?"
"Oh! I almost forgot!" Alex turned to Eliza's counter and picked up what looked like a coffee cup, "I made you a latte! I didn't know what kind of coffee you liked so I just guessed. I added three sugars because you seem like someone who likes sugar…" Alex was rambling now and Eliza giggled a little at how flustered he sounded.
Eliza reached out and took the coffee from Alexander's hands, taking a small sip and smiling, "It tastes wonderful Alex. I always take my coffee with three sugars."
Alexander beamed at her, running a nervous hand through his already messy hair, "I'm glad that you like it, Eliza"
"Of course, Alex, you own a coffee shop, how couldn't I like your coffee?" Eliza smiled back at him and her eyes widened when an idea came to her. "Can you hold this again for me, Alex? I'll be just a moment." Eliza placed the coffee cup back into Alex's hand and turned around, walking back to her display case, looking around inside before finding exactly what she was looking for.
"Aha!" Eliza says victoriously, turning around and presenting an orange rose to Alex. After she gives it to him, Eliza takes back her coffee cup and takes a large sip.
"Thank you so much for this, Eliza! I have never been gifted with such a beautiful flower," Alex practically gushed, gazing at Eliza adoringly. Alex then proceeded to lift the rose into the air with one hand and placed his other hand upon his chest, saying dramatically, "May I compare thee to a summer's day?"
Eliza giggled and took another sip of her latte, looking up at Alex.
"Well, I must be going, Eliza. I'll see you back after lunch break, 'kay?"
"Sounds good, Alex, have a good lunch," Eliza replied, watching Hamilton turn around and started to walk out of their shop doors.
Eliza smiled to herself and gazed down at her hands where she noticed something scribbled across the side of her latte cup. She turned the cup until she could read what was written and gasped when she realized what it said.
Hey, Eliza. I like you a latte. Would you like to go out sometime?
I hope you guys liked the newest chapter! There's so much fluff all over the place and can we all agree that Martha Washington would be the perfect matchmaker ;) If you guys liked what I've written, have any ideas, or just need someone to talk to, give me a review or send me a private message!
