I stop just short of rolling my eyes when I look at her. “Is it okay if I change my mind?” I snark, even though I don't have the slightest clue what I've just ordered. “I want to try something new. New employee. New drink. Makes sense to me.”
It doesn't make any sense to me, and I'm actually pretty sure I'll hate it. When I glance back at the new guy, he's staring at me like a deer in headlights. His wide eyes don’t blink at all.
“Sure. I mean, whatever you want. I just…one sec. Gina?” He glances over his shoulder. “Um, help?”
Gina sets down a notepad she'd been writing on and doesn't hold back an eye roll as she approaches. “For this, I will make it myself just to watch his nose wrinkle when he tries it. It'll serve him right.”
I don't look away from the new guy as she's speaking. He looks confused. I want to tell him I am too, but probably not for the same reason. He's likely wondering what the drink I orderedtastes like, and honestly, so am I. But mostly I'm annoyed he caught my attention at all. What is it about him that has me so rattled?
As Gina works, we stand in awkward silence, and I'm all too aware of the situation I've caused. The sooner I can leave, the better. Maybe I'll just find a new coffee shop and never come back. Who knows how long this guy will be here.
I shove my hands in my pockets and rock back on my heels until Gina sets my order on the counter with a smirk. “Here ya go, fancy pants. I hope you hate it as much as I think you will.”
When I glare, she only offers me some sort of knowing smile I don't understand. Whatever she's thinking, she's wrong. I just want to try something new, and I think I've almost convinced myself of that now.
After she clearly overcharges me, I grab my cup and paper bag with my croissant. I offer a grunt as a goodbye and then head out the door for the last time because I'm never coming back.
I sip from the cup and cringe. What is this sludge? I immediately regret the decision. But he had messed with my head. I wait to get home before I pour it down the sink, watching my caffeine fix and productivity for the day slip away. I dread the idea of finding a new coffee shop, but the search will have to start in the morning because I have two minutes before my meeting is scheduled to begin.
CHAPTER TWO
ELLIOT
Gina must noticemy discomfort as I watch the surly man step outside.
“Don't worry about that old grump,” she says while gently bumping her shoulder into mine. “Forrest isn’t a bad guy. Comes in every day, but hardly says a word.”
“Every day?” I reply with a nervous flutter in my belly. Forrest is good looking. I'd even go as far as calling him hot, except his personality leaves much to be desired. I wonder what his last name is. Forrest Grump would be pretty appropriate. He obviously had some issue with me taking his order too, although I can't think of a reason why.
Gina hums in response as she pushes strands of her dark hair behind her ear. “Seriously. Don't mind him. He usually just orders a coffee black…like his soul.” She chuckles to herself, but I can't help wondering why the man is so moody. He definitely piques my curiosity. “He did seem extra cranky today, but I promise you had nothing to do with it.”
I'm not sure how she can make that promise, because it felt personal. Whatever his issue was, I am certain I had contributed to it in some way.
I bite my lip while deep in thought, but I'm not given a chance to really consider why I had affected him so badly. A group of three women come bursting through the door and make a beeline for the counter. I'm hoping they order something simple, but those hopes are dashed as they rattle off something that sounds more like an ingredients label than a drink. I stifle a sigh and paste on a smile.
Gina helps me fill the order along with several others over the next few hours. I keep an eye on the time because I have somewhere to be after work. Five minutes before my shift ends, she helps me balance my drawer and shows me how to clock out.
“Off with you.” She shoos me away, swatting me with a checkered dish rag covered in coffee stains. “You did great today. Toss your apron in the hamper in the breakroom, and I'll see you in the morning.”
“Thanks, Gina.” I smile and head toward the employee door while she takes over the register.
I do as she instructed, whipping off my apron and throwing it in the linen bin. After I grab my things from my cubby and put my hat inside, I head out, offering a wave goodbye as I pass Gina.
I need to change clothes and find a cab. I'm still new to the city, and from a small town. Everything feels so complicated here in comparison, and at the same time, everything is so convenient. It's definitely a culture shock and one I haven't gotten used to yet.
My apartment is just upstairs from the shop, which suits me perfectly considering my only wheels are public transportation. Well,almostperfectly. Speaking of culture shock, I pause at the door of my new apartment and grimace. I can already hear the music blaring from my new roommate’s speakers, and I know I'll be walking into a mess. When I'd answered the ad for this place, the price had been right, but the pictures of a clean and tidy home had been a lie in every sense. I've regretted the decisionsince the second I moved in the first box of my belongings. I can't wait to find something else in the same area.
Just as I reach into my pocket, I hear the door across the hall squeak open and a deep voice grumbles behind me.
“I’ll have it to you by tonight, John. You caught me on my way out, but I’ll send over the proofs for you to look at this evening.”
Curious, because I haven't met our neighbor yet, I glance over my shoulder and freeze. No way. This can't be happening. It's him. The walking bad mood from this morning lives within feet of me because of course he does. And he looks even hotter than he had this morning. His brown hair is messier as if he's been running his fingers through the strands repeatedly.
Recognition lights in his fierce brown eyes as they lock on mine and then narrow. Forrest stills in his doorway, never looking away from me as he listens to whoever is speaking on the phone. I can't stop staring even though I know I must look like a deranged owl, wide-eyed and unblinking.
“Yes, sounds good. I’ll talk to you then.” He continues glaring at me as he finishes his call and then taps on his phone harder than necessary. The screen goes dark, and he shakes his head once at me. “No.”
Why does he keep saying that? What does he mean byno? My brow furrows. “I'm sorry?”
