She hesitates, clearly uncertain about trusting me with her caffeine needs, but then gives a slow nod. “Alright. Fine. I’ll have one of those.”
Her friend grins. “Make it two.”
I nod, relieved that we’ve managed to land on something that doesn’t involve cold milk and unnecessary sugar. “Take a seat, we’ll bring it over,” I smile. That also seems to be a new concept to them because the coffee chains they clearly frequent normally don’t offer that service. The blond gives me a side eye before heading to a table in the corner.
As I start preparing their drinks, I steal another glance at her. She is now tapping on her phone. I’m still not over the dating ban thing. I mean, who bans themselves from dating? And why do I care? But then, who am I to talk? I’m kind of on a self-imposed dating ban, I guess. Being a single dad and business owner doesn’t really leave a lot of time.
I shake off the thought and focus on making the coffee. Once both cups are ready, I carry them to their table and, without really thinking it through, decide to take my marketing strategy for a test run.
“These are on the house,” I say, maybe a bit too quickly.
Both of them look up in surprise.
“Wait, really?” the blonde asks, narrowing her eyes slightly like she’s waiting for the catch.
I clear my throat. “Yes. Uh, you know. First-time customers. And, um…” I shift awkwardly, trying to sound casual and failing miserably. “If you happened to post about it on Instagram, that wouldn’t be the worst thing.”
Silence.
The blonde stares at me, then slowly blinks. Her friend looks like she’s physically restraining herself from laughing.
I hear a soft, muffled choking noise. I glance to the side. Jasper has his head in his hands.
…Was it that bad?
I clear my throat again, suddenly feeling hot under my collar. “Uh, yeah. You know. If you want. Just, uh… take a picture. Or—” I make an awkward, vague hand gesture, like I’m holding an invisible phone. “Or whatever people do. Hashtag it?”
Oh God, why did I say hashtag it?
The blonde bites her lip, eyes sparkling with what I desperately hope is amusement and not second-hand embarrassment. “Right. Hashtag it. Sure.”
Her friend smirks. “Do you… want us to tag you?”
“Yes! Yes.” I agree way too enthusiastic. “That. Tagging is… good.”
There is a long pause before the blonde nods, still watching me like she’s trying to figure out if I’m serious or not.
Then, in a moment of pure panic, I blurt out, “And you can have freeApfelstrudeltoo.”
Jasper actually groans.
Both women glance at the pastry display like they hadn’t even considered food before, but now they’re intrigued.
“Alright,” the blonde says slowly, exchanging a look with her friend. “Coffee and free strudel-thingy in exchange for an Instagram post?”
I nod, resisting the urge to look too pleased with myself as I turn back toward the counter. “Great. I’ll get that strudel plated up.”
As I busy myself arranging two slices ofApfelstrudelonto small plates—presentation is key, after all—I glance over at Jasper, who is watching me with the exhausted patience of a man who has just witnessed something truly painful.
I add a dollop of whipped cream before Pavel takes the plates to the two women. I give Jasper a look. A victorious,I just nailed that business transactionkind of look.
“Well?” I ask smugly. “That went well.”
Jasper stares at me. “That was excruciating.”
I scoff. “It was effective.”
“You just bribed two strangers with free food because you don’t understand how Instagram works.”
