Perfect by Design

18: Grayson James

Tatyana

Grayson and I have fallen into a routine of sorts. I haven't mentioned leaving his place, and he hasn't mentioned wanting me gone, even though he's still sleeping on his couch.

He also hasn't tried to slap a title on us, which I appreciate. The team has won four straight since starting Grayson. This campus loves him. The girls love him. I try not to roll my eyes as the thought invades my head.

I'm already ready for this day to be over so I can head home. The best part of my day is always Grayson trying to teach me how to cook something new.

I walk into the coffee shop, and the barista gives me a death stare. I'm definitely a regular here, and yesterday Grayson popped in to surprise me with coffee on his way home from morning workouts.

The only problem is I have a very specific coffee order. One might even call it unique. It's an iced lavender oat milk latte with two pumps of honey. Only two pumps, and it has to be iced. Something tells me a lot of people aren't ordering that particular drink.

He told me the barista was extra flirty until he said that order. So, yeah, the death stare makes sense.

Still, I put on my friendliest smile and approach her anyway. She just stares at me.

"Alright, I guess we'll skip the pleasantries. I'll take my usual. I also need a medium black coffee and two chocolate croissants."

"He's coming in?"

"If by he, you mean my father, then yes. Or are you trying to keep tabs on my—" I pause because what is he to me? "On Grayson."

She frowns and slides me the number card to place on my table.

I grab a table in the corner by the window and shoot a quick text to Grayson.

Me: Your little girlfriend, the barista, was really excited to see me just now.

John 🤫: Sorry, Indy. I was hoping to be the one to tell you 🤷🏽‍♂️

Me: What a shame. I was just thinking of all the fun we could have during the taste testing portion of our cooking lesson tonight 🙁.

John 🤫: I'll come scoop you up in front of that entire coffee shop right now

Me: I dare you to, Johnny boy 😉.

He knows I'm meeting my dad, so I know he's not coming within a hundred feet of this place. He's not crazy. Still, this game we play is fun.

I'm lost in our text thread when my dad pops up behind me.

"Hi, tater tot!" I stand up and hug him, quickly closing out of my messages.

"Hi, daddy! I ordered you a black coffee and chocolate croissant."

"You're the best, sweetie. So, tell me, how's the semester going."

I have a passion for interior design, but according to my dad, that's not a real job. So instead, I'm getting a business degree that I'll do absolutely nothing with.