Need You Now

Chapter 5: The Brewing Box

The following Monday morning I was craving the bitter taste of coffee when I woke up. 

It was how I found myself standing outside of a cute café called "The Brewing Box ''. I knew I really wasn't supposed to, but surely one small cup wouldn't cause any harm. I entered the café, the cool breeze of air conditioning causing goosebumps to rise on my arms. 

I wore a tank top that was stretched over my torso, nicely hugging my stomach which seemed to have grown in the past week. I found a pair of black leggings in the back of my closet among my winter clothes that I had rolled up to my knees. I really should invest in better pants soon.

The cozy café wasn't crowded, but all of the tables and booths had at least one person sitting at them. At the register, I ordered a small black coffee and a slice of coffee cake, satisfied when the total was only five dollars. 

At least this place was affordable. 

Paying with cash I looked around, deciding which unlucky soul I would be asking to share a table with. 

Three tables were viable options because they each had only one person sat at them. At the first table was a young man, with bright blue hair reading a book. He seemed interesting enough, but when he sneezed into his hand and then smelt it, I cringed. 

Nope.

Moving on, the second option was a table in the center of the café where a shrewish-looking elderly woman was already glancing at me with disapproval. 

Not her either, then. 

My last option was a slim, brunette haired man who looked like he was in his thirties at a table to my left. He was concentrated on his computer screen, only taking the occasional sip from his coffee. He seemed kind enough and didn't give me a bad vibe. 

Grabbing my completed order from the counter, I made my way over to his table.

"Excuse me, do you mind if I sit here? Most of the tables are already taken..." I kept my voice light and sweet.

The man looked up at me with a friendly smile. I found myself focused on his unique eyes. One was a hazel brown, while the other was a startling green. He had heterochromia.  

I couldn't be more jealous; it made the man even more handsome.

"Of course, take a seat, I don't mind. I'm Marc." He introduced himself, hand reaching out to shake mine, as I sat. 

I gripped his hand and gave it a solid shake; mama always said a strong hand shake made for a strong woman. 

Marc winced as he withdrew his hand and I wondered if I, possibly, gripped him too hard. 

My bad.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Marc. I'm Rosalia." I replied before taking a sip of my coffee and almost moaning at how lovely it tastes. 

I hadn't had coffee in months; almost six to be exact.

"Which coffee did you get?" Marc questions with curiosity. 

Whatever he was doing before on his computer seems to be forgotten for the moment.

"An almond and spice coffee mix. I'm drinking it black. I find that you tend to get the best flavors without drowning them in cream and sugar." I respond, while digging my fork into the coffee cake.

"Do you like the coffee? Any critiques about it?" 

I was confused with his line of questioning; why would he care so much about what I think about this coffee? 

Swallowing my bite of cake, I nodded slowly.

"Um...yeah. It's one of the better ones. I've always been partial to nutty coffees though." I couldn't help the innuendo as it escaped my lips. 

Marc's eyes lit up in amusement as he let out a deep chuckle. 

Damn, where did all of these men I've met recently come from?

"That's great to hear." He teases me back with a wink and smirk. 

I snort. 

We become silent, but it's not uncomfortable. I finish eating my slice of cake while Marc's fingers flit across his phone screen, texting someone I assumed. While I'm taking another sip of coffee, Marc puts his phone away refocusing his attention on me.

"Is it rude for me to ask what you are expecting?" 

Marc has a cute twinkle in his eyes; the miniscule tilt of his head as he asks only making him more adorable.

"Bold of you to assume I'm expecting." I decide to tease him with a raised eyebrow and faux offense coating my tone. 

His face flushes bright red. He began to stutter trying to back track his words. I let out a loud guffaw at his flustered actions.

"I'm sorry, I'm just messing with you. I'm having a girl." I finally say with a large smile. 

Relief  courses through the man, his flush fading slowly. He glares at me, but its not a serious or angry glare, only amusement in his wonderful eyes.

"That wasn't very nice, little Rose. Not nice at all." He sniffs and crosses his arms, turning his face away from me like a petulant child. 

I scrunched my nose at the nickname, but let it pass. It's not like I would see this man again after I left. Amused I respond with a simple "I'm sorry". 

 Sniffing he shakes his head, peaking at me from the corner of his eye. A slow smirk comes across his face; I can't tell if it's a good or bad thing.

"I think, obviously, this needs to be made up to me." 

I couldn't help but giggle at his antics, deciding to play along.

"Yeah? How so?" I ask.

"You should give me your number, obviously." 

I hum in response, taking a moment to think about it. 

I wasn't opposed to it per say; I just couldn't understand why he wanted my number. 

No one ever wanted to date the knocked up girl; too much baggage ,and all that jazz. 

He could just want to be friends, though. It would be nice to make a new friend, maybe have some outside support. It was hard having to be my own rock to lean on in tough times; exhausting. 

I pull my purse into my lap, digging around until I find a stray pen. Grabbing the napkin from the table I write my number before sliding it over to him, with a shrug.

"I don't see why not. Though I must warn you, I lack friends because I tend to be a little crazy. Most can't handle my personality." 

My tone was half-joking, half-serious. 

Marc looked only a little surprised I agreed so easily, but quickly snatched up the napkin, folding it gently before placing it in his pocket.

"We're all a little crazy. That's what makes life fun, little Rose."