You and I

One.

Carter shivered as she wrapped her arms around her body. As she neared the coffee shop where she worked, she sighed. Another long day. She got her keys ready to unlock the door. Tyler was already waiting, stomping his feet in the cold.

"You're late again, Carter. This is the third day in a row."

"I'm sorry for making you wait. My alarm clock didn't go off."

"That's what you said yesterday."

"Okay, fine. I just fail at mornings. I'm sorry."

"Look, I don't care, just open the fucking door. It's cold." Carter chuckled at his words as she fumbled with the keys. Finally she unlocked the door, letting them in. She shut the door and locked it again.

"What time are you here until?" Carter asked him as they both walked into the break room.

"Four. And then Kyle comes in until close."

"Thank god there's people like you that actually pay attention."

"You make the schedule."

"Like I pay attention." He got his apron on and walked into the kitchen. He turned on the lights and started brewing coffee.

"Any coffee, Carter?"

"Yes please!" She said getting her own apron on and starting up the computer. "Who closed last night?" Carter called back.

"Ginny and Fay. Why?"

"We had some good sales. We made about $1,600."

"That's awesome!" Tyler said walking over to her with a cup of coffee. "French vanilla okay today?" She took a sip and smiled.

"Oh my god, yes." She smiled as the coffee travelled down her throat. "What else needs done?"

"We're ready to open." Tyler said.

"Awesome. Is the tv in the lobby on?" Tyler nodded. "How did the lobby look?"

"Good as new."

"God, I love you Tyler." Carter said getting up and getting her keys from her coat pocket. She walked to the doors of the store and unlocked it, changing the sign that now said, 'Closed' to 'Open'.

                           ~~~

A few hours later, customers steadily started coming in. Tyler was in the kitchen making the orders while Carter was up front, ringing them up. After they got through the morning rush, Carter walked around with a towel wiping everything down. She was interrupted by someone clearing their throat. Carter looked up. It was a pretty, young lady with long brown hair and brown eyes. She smiled thoughtfully, feeling butterflies in her stomach.

"Hi! What can I get you?"

"Well, I've never been here before. But there wasn't a Starbucks anywhere near my hotel. Can you tell me what's good?" Carter felt an arm wrap around her shoulder.

"She only gets a French vanilla coffee. Other than that, she's not much of a coffee drinker."

"Oh! That sounds amazing!" Tyler went off to make her order, while Carter rang it up on the register. "Not much of a coffee drinker?"

"It's too strong for me." Carter said. The woman handed Carter her card. She swiped it and handed it back. "What's a last name?" She asked.

"Lovato." She smiled. Carter could sense her reading her. "When does your shift end, Carter?" She asked reading the barista's name tag.

"I close tonight, so probably around 10."

"Would it be okay if I picked you up? We could go out for fast food or something."

"That sounds lovely." Carter said.