Family | A Joseph Quinn Story

Chapter 3

A couple more hours left of my shift until I have the weekend off. I'd seen Joe a fair few more times this week which made me happy. He kept complimenting my outfit choice to my hair and even my perfume. That man doesn't miss anything.

We had been quiet for the rest of the week with the filming taking place so I allowed Elena to have the week off and pay her holidays instead.
I enjoyed the peace of the cafe, I could concentrate on my work better. I only had four people sat inside anyway. I was stocking up the drink fridge behind the counter when the door opened. I stood up quick to serve them and lost my balance. I fell back down to the ground, embarrassed at myself.

"Y/N, are you alright?" I recognised the voice instantly. Joe came running over behind the counter to help me up.
"Yeah sorry, lost my balance." He held out his hands and pulled me to my feet. "Didn't realise how bad my effect is on you." He flirted. "Oh hush." I giggled.

"I brought you and Jessie a gift." I saw Jessie's gift was wrapped up and mine was in a bag. "Oh darling, you didn't need to. Thank you." I gave him a kiss on his cheek. "No worries. I feel awful still about Jessie's drawing so I bought her a colouring set. Use that £10 as a treat for her, like some clothes or something."

"Oh my, she'll love that." He set aside Jessie's present and handed me the gift bag. "And this one is for you, darling." I peeped in the bag and saw a beautiful top. "It looked like something you'd wear. I saw it while I went shopping with my mum and I thought of you."

"I-I don't know what to say. It's beautiful. Honestly, thank you. I'll definitely wear it tomorrow." He showed me a toothy grin when I told him. "Great. Can't wait to see how pretty you look wearing it." I looked down at the ground, hiding my red stained cheeks. Joe placed his hand on my cheek and lifted my head up. "I've got to go back to set, but see you tomorrow, beautiful."

"Have fun. See you tomorrow, handsome." He turned back to look at me, winked and left out the door. I need to thank my mum for saying those things the other day. I might have potentially got myself into a relationship, well I hope I have. Certainly is leading that way.

The day at work had finished. I cleaned and closed the cafe for the weekend and went to collect Jessie from school. "Who's the big present for mummy?" She spotted it instantly as she walked up to me. "You remember Joe, that gentleman don't you?"
"Yeah."
"Well he was kind enough to buy you a gift, to say sorry for the other day." She smiled but her eyes were like puppy eyes.
"Aw I like him. He didn't need to though mummy." At least I'll have Jessie's approval if anything does happen. Not that I'm getting my hopes up.
"Well you can say thank you to him tomorrow, can't you sweetie." She nodded. Since my hands were full, I couldn't hold her hand so I made sure she was next to me or walking right in front of me so I could see her.

We reached the front door of our place and I set everything down on the table. Jessie ran upstairs to get dressed out of her uniform. I pulled the top out of the bag and admired it in full. He's so thoughtful and selfless. I smiled hard just thinking about him.

I allowed Jessie to open her gifts and saw it was quite expensive, the colouring set. I let out a gasp. I felt guilty that he spent quite a bit of money on her, not to mention the top he bought me. Jessie could tell by my reaction that something was off. She didn't understand feelings as much with her being young but I allowed her to use them in the living room while I cooked food.

I cooked her chicken nuggets and chips whilst I made myself a microwave meal. I called Jessie in to eat when it had cooled down enough for her. Throughout dinner, she kept mentioning Joe. She was happy that he'd sort of entered our lives. "I drew Joe. I'm gunna show it to him tomorrow." She spoke, proud of it.
"Aw that's nice. He'll love it Jess."