The Barista Diaries: Love At First Brew

Chapter 1: Something's Brewing... in a good way.

Hi, all! It's been a minute since I've posted but hey I got a new chapter of a story about a year in the making- I hope you like it! I was in a writing rut but I've been hoping to ease out of that rut as soon as possible. I'll update the story with new chapters whenever I can. 

Chapter 1: Something's Brewing... In a Good Way.

Seattle, WA

Brew Blends Coffee Shop

January 2021 on a Monday

We meet Alexis, and she's getting ready to go inside to grab her favorite signature drink- an oat milk flat white. It became one of her favorites over the time she's come to Brew Blends coffeeshop. Then she meets Pete as she is getting ready to take her order.

"What can I get started for you?" says Pete. "I would like an oat milk flat white, please." says Alexis. "I've never seen you in here before. Are you new?" says Pete. "I'm not new. I've been in here plenty of times. I've never taken the time to notice you inhere." says Alexis. "Me neither. It's nice to meet you, Alexis."says Pete. "How did you know my name?" says Alexis. "It's on the cup." says Pete. "Right, silly me." says Alexis. "Would you like anything else?" says Pete. "I am good, Pete. It's nice to meet you. I hope we can hang out sometime if that's cool." saysAlexis. "Yes, I'd like that. I want to get to know you. You seem like a nice person." says Pete. "I am. No one has ever said that to me before- so thanks again." says Alexis. "You're welcome. I'll make your drink up." says Pete.

Alexis walks over to see how Pete makes this drink as this is something she's never paid attention to before. She sees that he uses this tampering tool after the espresso has been made and then the shots are brewed and then he steams her oat milk and pours it into a short cup (as it should be) and hands it to her. She sees his number on the cup- so she grabs an empty cup and hands her number to him.

"Here's your drink, Alexis. Looking forward to hanging out with you soon." says Pete. "Likewise." says Alexis.

As she goes to sit down in a comfy chair overlooking the window, she enjoys the coffee he made and it's extra delicious just because he made it. She brought a book from home she's been meaning to read-Untamed by Glennon Doyle. Alexis opens the book and begins reading a few chapters as she finishes her coffee. After reading fora few hours, she disposes of her cup and heads back home. She has a tough time being at home because of her parents' divorce and it took a toll on her mentally. So she has a choice to visit either parent and she's going to visit her mom, Diana. Her mom is a bit more comfortable to be around than her dad, Sam. She heads there and is greeted by a warm hug.

"Hi, honey; how was your day?" says Diana. "Not too bad."says Alexis. "You're smiling awful hard- what is it? Did you meet someone?" says Diana. "Yes, and he's cute. His name is Pete and he works at Brew Blends- my favorite coffee shop and we began talking and we might have made a time to hang out soon." saysAlexis. "That's great- do you know anything else about him?" says Diana. "No. But I've got a nickname for him though- Barista Boy." says Alexis. "Ha! Love it! Hopefully he's a nice dude." saysDiana. "Since when do you use the word dude?" says Alexis. "Am I not cool enough to use it? Anyways, I hope you have a good time otherwise." says Diana. "I hope so. But I forgot to mention I did get his number." says Alexis. "Hopefully this will turn into something." says Diana. "I hope so. He's nice." says Alexis.

She heads up to her room and gives Pete a nice text of "Hello."He responds with: "You missed me after I made your coffee today lol." Alexis responds with: "Yes I did. It was good, too." Pete asks: "Maybe this Friday to hang out?" Alexis responds: "Yes, sounds good." Pete says: "Cannot wait to see you and get to know you." Alexis responds with: "Me too. Maybe you'll get me to try something new at Brew Blends." Pete says: "We are getting a new ground coffee in soon- maybe someone at your house might want to try it too?" Alexis says: "I'll have to grab it when it's available. I go back and forth between my parents'. They just got a divorce- I don't like going back and forth between them." Pete says: "Sorry to hear that. I'll have to see if I can save you a bag of our new signature House Blend." Alexis says back: "That would be thoughtful if you could." Pete says: "I'll work my magic I guess. I actually lost both of my parents when I was 18- one OD'd on drugs and the other passed from cancer. I have a couple great friends- Westin & Maya- that took me in after they died."Alexis says: "I'm so sorry about your parents; it's nice that you have a great circle of friends though." Pete says: "I'm glad to have friends like them, too. Well, I'm about to finish up work- give you a call tomorrow- work wiped me out today!" Alexis says: "Sure. Sounds wonderful. Nice to meet you today, Pete." Pete responds with: "Nice to meet you, Alexis; I'm looking forward to seeing what this becomes."

On January 2021 on a Friday

Alexis meets Pete at his place (technically his friends' place toobut rolling with it) today to get to know him. He escorts her in andshows her around and she meets, Maya and Westin.

"Hi, I'm Alexis; I know Pete from Brew Blends." saysAlexis. "He was so excited to meet you the same day he told us itwasn't even funny." says Maya. "Is that true, Pete?" saysAlexis. "Yes, it is. I have something for you- let me grab it fromthe kitchen. That coffee I promised you." says Pete. "Yes, yournew house blend, right? Yes thanks! I'll have to brew this in myfrench press at my mom's house." says Alexis, giving Pete a hug."You're welcome. I've never met anyone nicer and that's saying alot." says Pete. "Show me around this place." says Alexis. "Ofcourse." says Pete.

He shows the house off and as soon as he gets to the kitchen he showsAlexis his most prized possession- the Breville espressomachine. He mentions to Alexis that he saved his paycheck money toget himself this machine. She smiles at him and tells him- "That isa wonderful thing you saved up for. It's a nice machine." He saysback: "I think it's worth the investment. When I can't make it tothe coffee shop one day, I'll replicate one of my favorite drinks- anoat milk latte with honey and cinnamon." Alexis says back: "Thatsounds yummy. I'll have to try that sometime at Brew Blends."Pete responds back: "I think you'll like it. I guarantee it."

He continues the tour upstairs to his room and she sees all the bandposters' (hung in nice frames respectively) up on the walls. Sheapplauds' his good music taste.

"My late dad insisted I listen to Fall Out Boy- I was named afterthe bassist, Pete. Hence my name." says Pete. "I didn't knowthat. My name didn't come from a famous person- my mom just named meit." says Alexis. "You've got a sense of humor- I like that."says Pete. "Thanks." says Alexis. "Would you like me to makeyou my favorite coffee? Assuming you haven't had any yet?" saysPete. "I haven't. I would like to see how you make it." saysAlexis.

He walks with her downstairs and begins making the espresso shots forthe latte from his Breville espresso machine. Then he adds thecinnamon as the espresso brews, and drizzles in the honey to theglass he left out on the counter. Adds the espresso + cinnamon to theglass, then he steams and froths the milk and makes latte art forAlexis. He hands it to her and waits for an honest response.

"It's really good- it's a nice blend of sweet and smooth." saysAlexis. "I appreciate the feedback. I'll have to ask my co-workersif we can call it the Pete special." says Pete. "It has a nicering to it." says Alexis. "Thanks." says Pete. "Well, isthere anything else you like making besides the Pete special?" saysAlexis. "I don't think so." says Pete.

Alexis' phone rings and it's her mom, Diana and she'd like her homeas soon as possible. Pete offers to drive her to her mom's house andas soon as he pulls in, he leans in to kiss her. She leans in to kisshim too.

I've got a feeling that this is going to work well. I like beingaround you, Barista Boy.- Alexisthought.