"I'm sorry, we only have lacto free." The barista apologized for the third day in a row. Holly, Gail had memorized the name since the brunette first started working at her favourite cafe. She gave Gail an empathetic smile and waited for a reply.
Gail sighed. She really didn't like the alternative, it threw the taste off completely, and it wasn't what she wanted. But it was all she had so she nodded and gave a vague gesture to indicate Holly go forth with making the otherwise heavenly cup of coffee. She watched silently as the brunette swiftly spun around and went through the seemingly effortless task of her coffee.
Holly had a grace to her movements. She smoothly went through the steps one by one, it was enrapturing. Even when she stumbled about the first time Gail had seen her, dropping a cup and burning her hand, the cusses flying out of her mouth like a well trained sailer.
"Two fifty, please." She fixed Gail with a crooked grin.
Gail found herself smiling back, always smiling back, it was as if she had her under a spell. She dug her wallet out of her pocket and scavenged for the correct amount of loose change.
"Shield huh?"
Her head shot up confused as to what the barista was talking about. There were only so many things a girl could concentrate on in the presence of a beautiful woman. "What?"
Holly chinned at her sweaty hands. "Your wallet, Shield." Then she leaned forward, giving Gail an amazing view to a hidden necklace she had no earlier idea the brunette wore, and dropped her voice low for just the two of them to hear. "Are you an agent?"
Gail could have sworn her heart stopped and she'd died and gone to heaven, gifted this incredibly sexy nerd for some unknown reason. She quickly composed herself though, schooling her features and stepping a little closer to the counter, she kept it between them as Holly had started. "That's classified."
Her stomach flipped with excitement when she noted a lip look from the brunette, and she decided to lick her lips because she was feeling generous that morning. Holly repeated her action before meeting her eyes. Her eyes, Gail found them memorizing. They were unlike any other she'd seen, a deep brown that spoke a million unspoken words, they were warm and comforting, intriguing. She wouldn't mind an afternoon getting lost in them.
And that's when she was graced with a laugh, a soft chuckle only meant for her. It was definitely something she'd strive to hear again.
"What if I told you I had clearance?" Holly raised a questioning brow.
Gail smirked. "Do you?"
"That's classified." Holly met her smirk with one of her own and pushed off the counter between them, going back to resting her hips on the edge like always. Gail winked at her, fighting a giddy smile, and busied herself with finding the coins.
"Usual coffee?" Holly greeted with a beaming smile.
"And two maple bacon doughnuts, please." Please? Where the hell had that come from? Gail shook it off as she followed Holly with her eyes, the brunette practically danced around to fill the order, the same graciousness as always captured her full attention.
"You're in late this morning, Agent, off saving the world all night?"
"Someone has to." Gail said with a casual bravado. Holly chuckled, again sending butterflies to Gail's stomach with the lovely sound, and turned back to the blonde with the freshly made coffee and bagged doughnuts.
"That'll be three fifty, Agent."
The corner of her mouth upturned at what seemed to be her nickname. She liked it. It was a lot better than the ones her so called friends dubbed her. Gail pulled out her wallet that started the banter and fished out a five dollar bill and a couple quarters for easier change. When her fingers brushed against the brunette's a surge passed through her, a rush, an electricity she had never believed to be real. She blushed at the feeling and hoped it wouldn't be too noticeable. But all hope was lost as it happened again when Holly passed her a twoonie.
"Thanks." She said breathlessly and gathered her coffee and doughnuts.
"See ya later, Agent. Good luck saving the world." Holly gave a toothy grin.
"No luck needed, Holly, I'm awesome." She caught a glimpse of the growing flush in smooth tanned skin as she turned to leave.
Gail walked out with an extra swing to her hips, a little more confidence in her steps, and a glint in her eyes. Holly was becoming the perfect way to start off her days. She opened her coffee and took a satisfied breath of its steam, then she took a long sip and moaned -maybe a little too loudly if the man who'd stumbled past her had any indication- at the taste. It was different then the past mornings since the cafe changed some of their ingredients, it was better. It was how it was supposed to taste, none of that other crap, it was the almond milk she'd loved and missed. Gail hungrily took another sip and was delighted to find her taste buds hadn't been playing tricks. It was indeed made with almond milk.
"I noticed you guys brought the almond milk back." Gail said in ways of a greeting. Holly knew her order so there was no need in wasting time, besides it gave her a few more seconds to talk to the beautiful barista, and Gail would take every opportunity to do just that.
Holly sent her what Gail would call her signature lopsided grin, then hindered it by biting her bottom lip. "Something like that."
Gail only raised a brow, intrigued. Holly bent down and when she stood back up she placed a small container of milk on the counter between them. "I brought some almond milk from home." She admitted shyly with downcast eyes.
God she's adorable, she thought to herself. "You brought almond milk from home just to put it in my coffee?"
"Well you're always asking for it and I know how big the difference is, so I thought I'd bring some for you because I always have some." Holly bubbled out nervously, adorably nervously. She suddenly turned away and began making Gail's regular, taking the small container of milk with her. Gail was fully amused with the display. "It's-its really no big deal. I mean it's just milk-"
"Thank you." Gail cut her off. "That's really cool of you."
Holly snorted. "That's a first. Cool and I aren't usually put in the same sentence."
She leaned on the counter like she had the other morning, basking in the view of the brunette while she could. "Well I'm the super cool agent, remember, I don't dub a lot of people cool but when I do it's because they undeniably are."
"Well I'm honoured to make the list." Holly faced her shyly with a fresh cup of coffee. Gail wordlessly handed her the exact change and put her wallet back into her pocket. They stared at each other, both trying to read the other, before Gail broke it. She pulled out a napkin from a nearby dispenser and snatched the sharpie from behind the counter. When done she slid the napkin to the brunette and walked away feeling more nervous and sure than ever.
Holly beamed down at what was written, seven numbers and a name, Agent Gail Peck.