Coffee Mess

I quit

"This top was the wrong choice tonight..." he says after a long period of silence, ruining the mood completely

"How long have u been holding onto that thought?" I ask, taking a step back

"Honestly? Since the day u started as a bartender"

"Why are my clothes a problem? I'm a bartender, all female bartenders wear clothes like that"

"I don't care. U're 18, I can't have men drooling over your cleavage"

"Well, men are drooling over my cleavage since I hit puberty. People will stare even if I'm fully covered, my breasts can't even be hidden under hoodies. I may as well feel comfortable with what I'm wearing"

"I'm just trying to protect you, Sandra" he says and I snap

"I don't need your protection. I'm more than capable to protect myself! Whatever we choose to wear, we women are always unsafe. It takes too much strength to feel comfortable in your own skin, I won't let anyone tell me I should cover up just because it makes their dick hard" I yell

"Watch your tone and your mouth" he replies, looking pissed

"Whatcha gonna do if I don't, huh? Fire me?"

"As a matter of fact, yeah"

"Don't bother, I quit" I say, looking him in the eyes, and then go to the back to get my things

Ian's P.O.V

"What happened, man?" Fred asks from behind the counter as I pass by it, but I don't answer, following Sandra pissed

"I won't accept your resignation" I say, walking in the room where the employees leave their stuff

"I don't care, I still quit. I can't work with someone who doesn't know how to treat people"

"I treat you fine" I say, rolling my eyes in indignation

"Do u? I'm scared of my shadow! You're always so stiff and with this look that feels like it could kill. You've only smiled once and most of the time you don't even look at me when I say hello or good morning or goodbye! You just mouth it back more to yourself than to me! I've been working here for 3 months and our longest conversation was the one we just exchanged! And after all that, you come and ask me to dance? What the fuck dude? Decide already!"

"You're willing to leave just because I have poor communication skills?"

"It's my first job ever and I feel like every second I spend working, you're gonna come and tell me that I do it wrong or that you will just fire me for no reason. I can't live with that kind of uncertainty!"

"Oh, come on... I'm not that irrational, I won't just fire you!"

"How should I know that? You have never told me I'm doing a good job"

"I don't praise people, Sandra"

"You should seriously start" she says, taking her jacket and her purse, walking away. As she passes me by, I grab her arm and pull her back, turning to her

"Let me go" She says from in between her teeth

"If I praise you, will you stay?" I ask her calmy, leaving her arm

"Try and we'll see" she says, her chest rising and falling from the intensity of our conversation

"You're great at your job. You're kind with the customers, you learn fast, you're clean...you're actually very valuable to me" I admit, looking in her eyes. Ok, that feels both liberating and weird. I don't think I've ever said anything like that to another person

"I am?" She asks, losing all her attitude

"Yes. I'm not good at talking to people, that's why I'm off the radar. That's why I have other people conducting the interviews and dealing with publicity. Otherwise, no one would come work for me. No one would think I'm a good employer, but I am and you know it. I'm not crazy, I don't complain about every single detail, I pay well, I care about my employees"

"That's true..."

"I may have my quirks, but as a boss, I'm good. You don't find that easily..."

"I know, but I feel nervous when you're around; U make me shake and hyperventilate. You look at me like you have something to say, but then you don't and I think about every little thing you might wanna point out"

"I'm sorry I make you feel like that. I don't have any complaints from you. And most of the time that I look at you like you said, is because-" I start, but then I hesitate to continue and stop. Why do I feel so nervous? She's just a girl...

"Because what?" she asks and I sigh, realizing I have to drop my guard now

"Because I usually want to tell you that you look beautiful or that this color looks great on you. I wanted to comment on your new tattoo the other day and when you dyed your hair I wanted to point out how great this bright red is, but, since I'm not good at this, I chose to stay silent..."

"Well, thank you, but if you had just said all that, things would be easier for both of us...don't you feel better now that you did?"

"I do, yeah. Please, don't go"

"I won't...if you give me a hug" her request sounds ridiculous. I frown

"I don't do hugs..."

"Well, I do. Come on" she says, opening her arms, and I sigh as I lean in to hug her, wrapping my arms around her torso

"You're trouble" I mutter and she chuckles

"I know" she replies in a cute voice, making me smile while rolling my eyes

As we stay like that for a few seconds, I realize she smells like strawberries, making me take a deep breath with closed eyes. When I understand she's pulling away, I open my eyes and do the same.

"For a guy who doesn't do hugs, you sure know how to hug someone..." she says smiling, with her hands on my arms

"It helps that you're so much smaller than me..."

"Yeah, Fred was right, you're a big guy..." she replies and I exhale from my nose smiling.

We stay still again without moving, looking at each other, and without realizing it, I lean forward. I stop right before our lips touch, looking at hers once and then at her eyes. She looks at me with a slightly open mouth, breathing heavily. Next thing I know, we both lean in and start kissing.