Only Yours

0.2

Tamina

My break ended, and despite all my stalling, I barely had any time before returning to the counter. When I arrive in the miniature hallway that leads to behind the till, Gabriel has his back to me as he engages with a customer.

Maylene shuffles past, offering a quick greeting as she scurries off for her break.

Meanwhile, I slip behind Gabriel and say loud enough for him to hear, "I did it."

When he twists to find me, there's a beaming grin. I'm surprised when he slings an arm around my shoulders, but the act is comforting, and dare I say it, rewarding. When Gabriel's here, it doesn't feel like we're at work; rather, it feels like two friends hanging out.

"I'm proud of you," he cheers, letting go as he regards me a moment longer. "Have you got a date or time?"

The curiosity is practically visible and eating away at him, judging by the sparkle in his eyes. Putting him out of his misery, I recall Brandon's response and divulge the conclusion.

"Actually. . . he's meeting me after work today." I rub my arms, biting my lip to fend off the smile wanting out. "I'm meeting him by the bookshop, but—" I look up at him, doubt coiling low in my stomach as I shift from one foot to the other. "Do you think I made the right decision?"

He bumps my side with his elbow while handing me a cloth so I can help wipe down the length of the counter with him.

"Who knows?" He shrugs in my peripheral. "You can always tell after meeting him—I mean, try not to worry about the things that could go wrong, but think about what could go right."

I can't help but laugh, but I admire his confidence. "How are you so confident?"

Gabriel chuckles. "If it helps, I'm not."

There's a distinct sigh, and this time, I swivel to face him, but he carries on wiping even though I'm sure he's finished.

"Once, I was certain the day ahead of me was going to be bad, and what could have gone right turned out bad because I had been dwelling on it," he explains. There's a sheepish gleam to his features. "It can be a hard habit to get out of, but after some time and practice, it gets easier."

If it weren't for Gabriel, I would be in a slump all day thinking about it. I know for sure I wouldn't have given Brandon a quick answer.

This café is lucky to have him—

"Hello?" a soft voice greets from behind.

Pivoting on my heels, an elderly lady beams up at me, her leopard-print purse sitting on top of the counter.

"Good afternoon, how can I help you?" I return, matching her smile while making sure my hair is firmly tied.

Her big blue eyes shift from side to side before returning to me. "Can I have a caramel latte?" Propping her walking stick against the wall, she adjusts it until it remains upright. "And a hazelnut latte, please."

Bobbing my head to her request, I key the order into the till. "Would you like them to be a medium or a large?"

Her cheeks puff up, enhancing the sweet crow's feet edging her eyes. "Medium, my dear, and can I have cream on those?"

"Of course. Gabe, one medium caramel latte, one medium hazelnut latte, both with cream when you're ready," I direct over my shoulder, catching him shuffling behind me as he grins.

"On it, boss."

Chuckling, I turn back to the woman grinning up at us. "I didn't realise you were the boss," she muses.