Fall

I

Ringing echoed through the air as customers walked in and out of the small coffee shop. The glass windows allowed the sun to give a glow throughout the shop, illuminating the room with a natural light. The days had always passed faster when the weather was good.

Scrubbing the empty, coffee-stained tables felt easier to her when the sun warmed her skin. The tables close enough to the window to radiate the heat in her direction. Every ten minutes she would halt her actions to ease the pain from her arm, and soak up the warmth.

After the stain was no longer visible, she took her place behind the counter. The other worker was relieved that they did not have to deal with the bratty customers who relied on caffeine to lighten their mood.

The coworker trudged back into the supply room, hiding himself from the few people who occupied the booths.

At that moment, the bell chimed signaling the opening of the shop's door. A cool breeze followed the new person into the room, cooling down the warm building slightly.

Her eyes shifted from the cash-register up to the new customer in front of her. She suppressed her eyes from going wide at the gorgeous male, clad in all black, that had made his way to the counter. A lump formed in her throat and she tried to gulp it down. She feared she would embarrass herself in front of someone as attractive as him.

Palms pressed against the cool surface of the booth she stood behind as she tried to steady her nerves. Speaking to good-looking men was not her strong suit. Jitters attacked her nerves making her feel twitchy and awkward. Heat was overtaking her face, no doubt making it as red as a tomato.

She noticed his brown, disheveled hair, which somehow looked perfectly in place. His cheeks were hollow, giving attention towards his cheekbones. They were so sharp that she was convinced that she could cut herself on them. A split second passed where her eyes noticed his pursed lips, but she quickly brought her attention back to his eyes. Those sea blue eyes that she was already getting lost in.

Too much time had passed of her looking at him. He didn't mind the attention she gave him. Women gawked at him wherever he went, so why would this case be any different? In fact, he purposely stayed silent just so she could stroke his ego. He frowned when she shook herself out of her daze.

"Welcome to Crema. How can I help you?" She held back her shaky voice as the males crystal blue eyes stared into hers. He had been staring at her since he walked in, but she hadn't noticed. Her concentration had been on how she was going to get through this transaction.

"I'll have," his eyes broke away from hers to look at his options, "some tea with cream and sugar."

"Will that be all?" A pen was taken from the cup that sat atop the counter. It glided across the thick paper cup to let the barista know how to make the drink.

"While you're at it, you can give me your number," a smug expression took over his neutral face. The girl only growing more nervous from the comment. Silently praying that he'll drop it and leave.

"What name would you like me to write on the cup?" She ignored his request and continued with the procedure of her job.

"Just write the first thing that comes to mind," he told her, "I'll know it's mine."

Before she could protest, he had walked away and taken a seat alone at one of the small tables. The end of the pen raises to her lips. She bites the end of it as she thinks what to write on the cup.

The man's eyes were still on her as he sat at a table alone. He focused on the way her lips wrapped around the end of her pen, teeth nibbling on it. There was sure to be a mark their by the time she had finished thinking. The action looked so innocent coming from her, so pure.