Coffee Mess

Assistant Manager

A year later...

The next couple of months after I broke things off with Logan, things were kinda awkward between us. If it was my shift when he was coming to get his coffee, we would just say "hi" and "bye", barely looking at each other, until one day he stopped coming and had others pick his coffee up, so eventually we stopped seeing each other. I caught him outside the station sometimes having a smoke as I was leaving or coming in for work, but we didn't even wave at each other. 

Summer came and passed really fast. After sending my application to the universities that interested me and getting accepted at most of them, I took some vacation days to decide which one to choose and by October I had adapted completely to college life.

Since it's close to home, I don't stay at a dorm, but I have found a few people from my classes that are focused enough and we have formed a studying group. We have a meeting once a week in general, but when we have to study for group projects and stuff, we meet more often.

As for work, I only work 3 times a week now and not full time, just enough to have money of my own. Thank God Ian was kind enough to help me with that.

One night, as I'm ready to leave work, he calls me to the back.

"U summoned me?" I ask jokingly, getting in his office

"I did, close the door" he says in the same tone 

"What's up?" I ask, closing the door

"As you know, we got another girl to cover the shifts you can't"

"Yes, I'm aware. Again, thank you very much"

"It's February, Sandra, stop thanking me already"

"Right, sorry Continue"

"So, I was wondering if u could take over as head Barista. You don't need to come every day. You'll have your shifts and you could pop by every now and then if you have some time. You can also use my office to study if you need to"

"Wait, wait. What about Fred?"

"He'll be in charge of the bar. I just needed him until I found someone else"

"Oh, then, yeah, I would love to take over as head Barista"

"Great. I'll get the papers ready and I'll have you sign them by the end of the week"

"Ok, thank you so much for trusting me like that"

"Of course, you're one of the greatest employees I've ever had, I'd be a fool not to promote you" he says smiling and gets up from his desk

"I'm glad you feel that way. And if it's really ok with you, I could be here all the time when I don't have classes and just stay in the office studying, or sitting at a table outside" I say, smiling back

"I have absolutely no problem with that. I'll be out anyway when you'll be here, so you'll have the office to yourself"

"So, you'll leave me alone? What if something happens?"

"You'll handle it. We both know that you're more than capable to handle even an armed robbery"

"Yeah, ok, but you're the boss"

"Yes, but you're my assistant manager! So, you have practically the same authority as me"

"Assistant manager?" I ask surprised

"Yes. It comes with the head barista duties"

"That's too much, Ian. I have no idea how to manage anything" I say, starting to panic, and he puts his hands on my shoulders to calm me

"I believe in you, Sandra. You learn fast, you're responsible, you're almost as tough as me. It'll go great. And of course if you ever need anything, call me or Fred"

"But are you sure? I have the university, it takes so much of my time, I won't be able to be here always, during finals I'll have to really focus on my studying..."

"I know, I know. Your studies are a priority, I know. And I'm glad you're so focused. It's ok that you can't be here all the time, I just need someone I can trust as my assistant in case I need to be away"

"Ok, ok. If you believe I'm the right fit, then who am I to question it?"

"That's the spirit! So, are we cool?"

"Yes"

"Good. Now that we're done with the work stuff..." he says, putting his hands on my hips pulling me close, leaving a kiss on my neck, as I put my hands on his chest and tilt my head on the side

"Hi" he says smiling when he pulls away and looks at me

"Hi to you too!" I say in the same tone

"I barely saw you today" he says, playing angry

"I know, I'm sorry I didn't come to say hi when I came in, but I was already late and didn't want to keep Mike any longer"

"You can make it up to me by sleeping at my place tonight..."

"I'd love to, but I have the study group and I'm already late, so..." I say apologetically

"So what? Come after"

"Oh, come on, we both know that I'll come here around 12 to get you, you'll say that you have something started and don't want to leave it for tomorrow and I'll end up sleeping on a chair until 4, when you'll take me in your arms, put me in the car and then you'll just put me on the bed and in reality we won't have spent any time together"

"You know me so well..." He says amused, exhaling from his nose

"Of course I do, I'm your assistant manager, remember?" I ask playfully and he chuckles

"Oh God, is that how we're gonna play it from now on?"

"Yep! You'll have to actually talk to me about things and ask my opinion, take it into real consideration and then decide that I'm right"

"You're so sure about yourself, huh?"

"I am. Because I'm closer to the other employees than you, so my opinion will have to stick"

"Can I take the offer back?"

"No backsies!" I say with an attitude and he sighs, making me giggle, before turning around to leave running for my study group. He smacks my ass just as I have put my hand on the handle, making me jump up a little and leave a small gasp