Everybody's Romeo, Nobody's Juliet

Chapter Two: Of Coffee Cups and Handshakes

It's been two days since the "Marco Reus" incident but Kristopher has not yet allowed her to live it down. When she went back for bike, Kristopher saw her in her sad state of oversize jacket, wet hair and soaked pants. She had no choice but to tell him what happened.

"So, have guys bumped into each other again?" He smiled, a sheepish one plastered across his face. "Get it? Bumped into each other?"

"Haha. Very funny. Keep cleaning before I hit you with this broom." She said. It was eight o'clock in the morning and both of them were cleaning and setting up the coffeehouse before it opens. Their boss was in the kitchen preparing the pastries.

Kristopher laughed and continued wiping the table. "Are you really going to return the jacket?"

"Yes. I promised I'd return it." She answered as she continued to sweep the floor. "Though I would rather keep it."

"A promise, huh? Or do you just want to see him again?"

"Shut up. I doubt he'll even remember it."

"An encounter like that? I sure won't. He's still probably laughing right now."

She was about to hit him with a broom when their boss walked in on them.

"You can hit him with the broom later, right now I need you to keep an eye on the oven. Watch the last batch of muffins for me." He said while removing his apron. "I just need to step out for a quick grocery run."

Rose set the broom aside. "Okay."

"Kristopher, you take charge of the register."

Kristopher saluted.

"All right, see you two in a bit."

As soon as their boss was out of the door, Kristopher said, "That means I'm in charge of the cash register which makes me your boss until he gets back."

"Yeah, suuuure." She said, rolling her eyes at him. "You can't be trusted in the kitchen, you'll burn the pastries again."

"That was one time." He shot back at her.

"Once is enough." She said, laughing. "There are already people outside. Unlock the door."

"That's 'Please unlock the door Boss' to you."

She shook her head in disbelief and went to the kitchen with Kristopher chuckling behind her.

Twenty minutes in, the oven pinged. She took the muffins out and put the tray on the countertop, letting them cool first. She could already here people bustling outside.

"Rose, would you please come and help me out here?" said Kristopher.

"I'll be right out." She replied. She placed the muffins neatly inside two small baskets. When she stepped out, Kristopher was by the door. He grinned at her from ear to ear.

"Give me those." He said, taking the baskets from her hands. "Attend the register."

She held on to the baskets, "Hey, that's not fair. I got cash register duty yesterday."

"Give it here." He snatched the baskets from her hands and said, "Now go."

She watched him place the muffins on the display table. "You're so pushy, you know that?" But he didn't respond. She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. A group of guys was waiting by the counter already, immersed in their conversation.

She put on a smile. "Hello sir, what can I get you today?" she asked.

One of the young men turned around. "I'll have - Hey, it's you."