what it feels like - Austin Butler

seven - coffee

ISLA'S POV

I wake up to the sun peeking through my blinds. My warm sheets feel so soft and cozy. I'm suddenly woken up from my daydream when I realize I'm supposed to be on a date this morning. Shit. I'm probably late. I look at my phone and see the time; 8:30. Thank God. It would've been so embarrassing to show up late to the time I gave him.

I hop out of bed, groaning and stretching, then I make my way to the bathroom. There I do my skincare and apply minimal makeup, just a little bit of blush and some mascara. Next, I have to do the hard part. Picking out an outfit.

After I make a mess, throwing clothes all around my bedroom and essentially tearing my closet apart, I settle on a good choice. I pull on the black trousers with a plain black longsleeve. I add a basic belt and some black Adidas sneakers. I also throw on a long jacket since it's a little bit chilly today.

I grab my keys, sunglasses, and a hat before I head out of the door to my car. On the drive to the coffee shop, I rehearse exactly what I'm going to say. By the time I reach the doors of Jane's Coffee it's 9:25 and I've forgotten all of the lines I practiced in the car. The coffee shop is so tiny and cozy, filled up with booths and tables lining the walls.

Across the shop, in the far corner, I see the person I'm looking for. Austin lifts his head from a book and gives me a small smile, while his cheeks turn pink. As I walk over, he takes his earbuds out and sets them and his book into a bag by his side. I give him a smile back, and I can feel my cheeks heating up too.

He and I never break eye contact until I get closer and he examines my outfit. He bites his lip before he says, "I like the all black look. You look great, Isla."

I feel myself blush even harder. "I could say the same for you, Austin." He's wearing circular glasses, for reading I assume, which he also takes off and sets in his bag. His black coat hangs on the booth while a gray knit sweater hangs perfectly on his shoulders. Black trousers complete the look. This man is so beautiful.

My thoughts are cut off when I hear him. "You're staring, Dempsey."

"Sorry it's just..." I don't even know what to say. Sorry. I'm staring at you because you are so goddamn good looking.

"No. I don't mind." I feel like I can't stop smiling as I stare into his blue eyes. "Sit down, please."

What a gentleman. I take a seat and ask him if he has ordered yet. He tells me that he hasn't so he goes up to the counter to get us coffee and muffins. While he's gone, I send Olivia a text.

me

i think i made a fool of myself

he asked why i was staring

but then he also said he didn't mind

livvy

okay, calm down isla maeve

he's definitely into you if he said "he didn't mind"

now get back to loverboy and stop texting me.

me

he's not loverboy...

yet.

hehe ily liv

livvy

ily too

now GO.

Austin makes his way back to our booth with two coffees and a paper bag in his hands. "I wasn't sure what you liked so I got blueberry and apple cinnamon. You can pick." He sets down the food and takes a seat while I thank him. I grab the blueberry muffin.

"How did you know it was my favorite?" I question.

He responds, "I mean, can you really go wrong with blueberry?" I guess not.

After a little bit of small talk about our families and how Olivia set this up, I ask him about why he chose to suggest my cover for the film.

"I'm not completely sure to be honest. I was listening to a playlist of Elvis covers on Spotify and when I heard yours, I just thought it was so beautiful. Immediately, I sent it to Baz and he loved it to." He pauses for a second to wet his lips. "I was just drawn to your voice. You really do have a beautiful voice." He stares at me.

I blush again. I feel like my cheeks are probably stained red after all of the blushing I've been doing today. "Thank you so much. 'Can't Help Falling In Love' is so fun to sing. I'm actually working on some more stuff right now." I only tell him this because during this entire conversation, Austin seems like he's actually been listening and completely interested in what I have to say. Christopher never did. No one else knows I'm working on more music.

"Oh yeah? I'd love to hear sometime." When he says this, I can't help but wonder if it's a way to make this breakfast last a little longer.

"Do you want to? I mean obviously, you're busy and you probably can't but I was just thin-"

Austin cuts me off. "Of course I would. I really liked 'Minor'." This puts a smile onto my face. Something about him just already feels so safe and comfortable.

"You could come over and listen to what I have so far," I suggest.

"Yeah, that sounds really nice, Isla."

We get up, leave the coffee shop, and make our way to my car. As we walk out, we're bombarded by paparazzi screaming, and cameras flashing. The smiles fade a little on both of our faces, but they return once we get to my car. "You're going to make me drive you around, Butler?" I tease.

"You can be my personal chauffeur," he says while smirking.