“What can I getcha?” the cool-as-a-cucumber barista asks, drumming her matte black, coffin-shaped nails on the counter.
“A large cafe latte with extra espresso.” I lay my coat on the counter for a second to reach into my Coach prairie satchel, a now-six-year-old gift I bought for myself right after I finished my undergraduate and rightbeforeI began my master's program, and slip out a twenty to slide it across the counter. Leaning toward the young woman’s face, I cock my head slightly to one side in a gesture at Mister Sexy Suit. “I’ll pay for his, too. Keep the rest.”
The barista crinkles the flawless brown skin on her nose in total delight. “Pay it forward.” She picks up the twenty and uses it to point assertively at me. “Good on you. What’s your name for the cafe latte?”
I slide the zipper to close my purse, pick up my coat again, and step away from the counter just as Mister Sexy Suit is marching back to the line, shoving his phone in the front pocket of his slacks. “Elle.”
She flits her nails in my direction. “Like Legally Blonde?”
I laugh despitehatingthat reference and also secretly loving that movie. “Just like it.”
I smile at Mister Sexy Suit one last time and then saunter across the coffee shop to wait next to the jogger. The frazzled intern precariously balances a tray of six steaming coffees, giving the paper cups a death stare as he steps out of the coffee shop with the precision of a tightrope walker.
Mister Sexy Suit places his order with the barista, starting to slip out his wallet, and she flicks one of her fancy fingernails in my direction as she offers an explanation. He glances at me, and now I’m suddenly on the cusp of a nervous sweat because, TBH, Reader… I’m notactuallyas forthright with sexual prowess as my internal musings suggest I am.
He’s now strolling toward me, andgreat. Now I have to try to actually say something charming or witty. AndthenI have to prepare myself for if and when he actually takes my not-so-well-thought-out bait and invites me for drinks or dinner. AndthenI’ll have to be charming and witty for an entire evening.
I amnotcharming and witty, and I’mreally notgood at faking stuff. Especially not stuff like that.
This is doomed before it even begins.
Mister Sexy Suit stops at a respectable distance from me. “Elle,” he says, my name dripping like hot honey from his lips, open palm extended toward me, andoh God. The barista must’ve supplied that info, and I don’t know whether to go high five her or dart out of the coffee shop. “Colin.”
Shaking his hand is easy enough that even I can handle it, and my palm connects with the soft, warm skin of his. “A pleasure,” I say, and okay. Thatdidcome out smooth enough, andyay mefor not ruining this with total awkwardness just yet.
“Likewise,” Colin adds in that delicious voice while releasing my hand. “Thanks for that.”
I retract my hand to grip the strap of my bag at my shoulder, shifting my coat in my opposite arm, and offer a smile that’s less sexy and mostly polite. “Don’t mention it.” I turn to face the coffee bar again because now I’m too nervous to look at him. “Consider it gratitude for keeping me from wiping out a minute ago.”
In my peripheral vision, I see another half-smile dimple his stubbled cheek. “Not necessary, but I appreciate it.” He pauses, and I cut a quick glance at him just as he skims his gaze across the shelves of tacky coffee mugs. My glance isn’t quick enough, and I’m suddenly locked in a stare with him that causes my internal temperature to skyrocket. “Would it be cliché to ask if you come here often? Because I’m genuinely wondering.”
A light laugh escapes my throat, and I feel a bit more at ease. “No, I actually haven’t been here before. I normally make coffee at home, but I had time to kill before I’m supposed to show up for my first day at work.”
His dark brows lift with genuine interest. “First day, huh?” He offers a polite dip of his chin and slips his hands into his pockets. “Well, congratulations and good luck.”
I offer a wide, appreciative smile. “Thank you. I probably need it. I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew.”
Colin inclines his head slightly to one side, causing a strand of his dark hair to fall over his brow in a carelessly sexy manner. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” Word-vomiting all over a totally hot stranger isnotsmooth, but I can feel it creeping up my throat, and I can’t locate the emergency brake. “Have you ever totally nailed an interview by mostly just BS-ing?”
Another one of his deep, rugged chuckles rumbles in his chest. “Haven’t we all?”
Both his laugh and the fact that I’m not alone in this situation sets me even further at ease, and my word vomit continues to spew. “And I mean, I didn’tlie. I just made my work history sound a lot more impressive than it actually is. I said I had experience with high-dollar sales, but I was actually just a phone rep and made cold calls to pass onto the sales leads who were responsible for managing the accounts.”
“Ah.” Colin offers a sage nod. “Yeah, I’m in sales, too, so I’m familiar.”
I can feel my face light up because a world of possibilities has suddenly opened to me.
Ifall of this casual banter actually leads to a drink or dinner, I can probably pick his super sexy brain and maybe get some tips.
“Are you?” I offer him another friendly-but-smouldering smile, shifting my weight again to exaggerate the curve of my hip. “What kind—”
“Colin, your totally basic black coffee is ready at the bar!” the barista hollers into the cavernous space, and now I’ve totally lost his attention.
I guess at not-quite-8:30-in-the-morning, nothing can really compete with coffee, so I don’t take it personally.
He does have the good graces to lift one finger between us and offer another panty-melting smile. “Hold that thought.”
