(this is based upon a prompt from Toasted Cheese)
She loved whipped cream in her coffee. Every morning, when she came bustling
through those glass doors, I knew her order right down to that oh so scrumptious
topping.
But, who was I, a lonely barista at the local coffee shop. Why would an amazingly
beautiful redhead such as herself go for me? I knew I was out of her league. Sure,
she smiled that adorable sideways grin at me each day as I added that whipped
topping to her simple two shot latte. But, that was the extent of our relationship.
Barista and coffee drinker. The line was as clear as the counter that separated
us at the hips.
These were the thoughts that flooded my college brain that morning as I started my
shift. I tied my apron on behind my back and wondered what could be if only I were
more than what I was, a barista.
Right on the tick, she glided into the shop. Reality seemed to come to a crawl,
almost as if someone hit the “pause” button on a DVD player. Everything and everyone
but her stopped at that moment. Her movements from the door to the counter were in
a graceful, yet slow motion. When she did reach that counter, the counter that has
always kept us two worlds apart, she tossed her curly Annie-like red hair aside her
left shoulder and smiled at me. Her green eyes seemed to sparkle like two gems in
the sunlight.
“Good morning, Tyler.” She spoke, in my direction, “how are you today?”
My throat suddenly tightened up and turned into the Sahara Desert. She was speaking.
Speaking to and at me. This was new. Usually, I just got that smile. And, she knew
my name. I couldn’t believe it. Somehow, I managed to open my mouth in an attempt
to respond to her query. “I-I-I’m good.”
Yeah, that’s good Tyler, stutter. Stutter and say as little as possible. Now she’ll
definitely think you’re an idiot.
“That’s good. I’d like the usual, please.” She replied, still smiling at me.
“Of course, latte and whipped cream coming right up.” I heard the female voice of my
co-worker Charlotte say from next to me at the espresso machine.
Not pleased that Charlotte jumped into my conversation, I managed to form a small
toothless grin at my favorite customer. Charlotte began making the latte while I
just stood there, seemingly frozen in time.
A minute or so later, but what felt like an eternity, Charlotte put the finished
latte drink in front of me. “Here ya go Tyler, just needs the whipped cream,” Charlotte
informed me.
Picking up that can of whipped cream, I began adding the finishing touches to the
drink. When done, I popped on a top and picked up the drink. Looking up, there she
was, my red-headed customer still grinning.
“Here you go ma’am,” I murmured, handing her the drink.”Have a nice day.”
She took the drink and began to head back toward those glass doors. My heart sank.
Why couldn’t I just say something to her? Why couldn’t I just ask her? I needed to
be brave and just ask. what was the worst that could happen? She could laugh and
reject me. That was what could happen. But, what if-what if she didn’t? I needed to
go with that small possibility and just ask.
Almost as if my body was acting without my brain, I found myself running around the
counter to the other side and toward the exiting red head.
“Wait!” I blurted out.
She was halfway out the door by the time I reached her and she heard my calling. She
turned and looked my way puzzled.
Now standing just a couple of feet from her, I swallowed hard. “I mean-I-I wondered
if you might want to go out some time. I mean, if you weren’t seeing anyone.”
There it was, I got it out there. My heart pounded like a drum in my chest as I
stood there staring at her.
Her face suddenly went from puzzled to pleased. “Sure. Sure, that would be nice.”
Was I hearing correctly? Did this beautiful woman just say yes? Did she just say
yes to going out with her barista? “Yes?” I asked her, hoping to clarify things.
“Yes, I would like that Tyler,” she responded. “Let me give you my cell phone number,
as I have to get to work. But, that sounds good.”
As she fumbled in her purse, I stood there in shock. It was an amazingly good kind
of shock, but shock nonetheless. She then pulled out a business card and held it out
to me. “That’s my card. My cell number is listed on there. I look forward to your
call.”
With that, she smiled and walked out the door. Looking down at the card that was now
in my shaking hands, I smiled. Not only did I now have a date, I knew my dream coffee
girl’s name, Lilly.
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