Love, On Read (MxM)

Chapter 33: Three Little Words

A/N: AGH, it's happening! 33 chaps and over 70k words in, Ollie has caught a clue! Enjoy <3 Sidenote: honestly, if someone were to tease me the way Haruto teases Ollie, I wouldn't survive. I just wanna have a coffee shop romance irl, pls. 

Ollie's POV

As promised, I was waiting at the cafe shop's doors bright and early. They usually opened at seven, but I caught the early bus, getting here at 6:28, knowing that Haruto's morning shift meant he started at six for prep. Confirmed, when I spotted his dark mop of hair in the back carrying a bag of coffee beans. Truthfully, if I hadn't snoozed all twelve of my alarms this morning, I probably would've gotten here just as he arrived at work.

But, standing out here now made me incredibly nervous. He hadn't noticed me at the door, and I wasn't sure if being alone with him for thirty minutes was a great idea anymore. Maybe I should've waited till after at least one of the early morning regulars was here, so it felt less awkward, or I could've slept in and been here later on during his shift. Maybe it was a bad idea to be here altogether; perhaps he'd forget about the stupid question if I didn't show.

The crazy joggers probably thought I was either homeless or a crazy coffee addict for loitering around at the door—which they'd be correct on the coffee addict note—but what was I even supposed to say to Haruto?

Hi, I'm here to demand answers about the other night. Tell me your answer to a stupid tipsy question.

Yeah, no. Maybe they were right about the crazy part too.

Checking to ensure none of the said joggers were around, I pressed my forehead to the glass, groaning. Heading home now would be like the epic walk of shame, but oh, was it so tempting.

A knock on the glass startled me; Haruto, whom I hadn't heard, approached the door with his raised, closed fist against the glass. His usual smile sent a wave of emotions, a mix of nerves and comfort. My lips pressed into what I hoped was a smile before stepping to the side, watching as he fiddled with the store keys to open the door for me. I make a beeline to my table as he locks the doors behind him.

"Give me just a second. I've gotta set up the machines," he said, barely sparing me a glance before heading to the back.

Though unusual, I wasn't going to disturb him from working any more than I already was by being here early. "Okay," I said, certain he couldn't hear me, as I watched him speed walk, his shadow moving back and forth as he got to work. Despite the many times I've seen him work, I never really understood half of what he did during his shifts.

Staring at his shadow wasn't easing my stress and anxiety over why I was here; the relative silence stretched the time I waited for him to return. Though I probably only waited five minutes, I went through a list of different methods of passing time, checking all my apps, drumming my finger along to a song I had stuck in my head, and merely staring at the wall.

Then Haruto finally stepped out, hoisting the coffee bag over his shoulder and a few supplies in his other hand. He sneaked a few glances my way before returning to the morning routine, pouring the beans into the espresso machine, plugging in the mixers, toasters, and other contraptions he showed me a few times. He set up the workstations, moving swiftly until I realized halfway through that he was A, making us both a coffee, and B, I was staring at him—fully staring at him.

In Haruto fashion, he didn't seem to mind, smiling when we made eye contact before finishing the drinks and crossing the cafe to meet me at the table.

"Iced white mocha cold brew," he announced. "The usual."

"You didn't have to," I said. "You're technically not even open."

He shrugged before sitting down, "Janice isn't coming in til eight; she doesn't have to know."