Not Another Jock

Chapter Fourteen

"Hi, what can I get you?" I asked, the coffee machine buzzing loudly behind me as I turned to face the next customer. "Tess?"

Tessa stood in front of the till as I dragged my forearm over my forehead as she offered me a smile.

"Hey, I had a feeling you were working today." She told me, looking down at the pastries. "Can I have one latte, one cappuccino and two chocolate muffins?"

"No problem." I said, snatching two cups from beside me and writing her name in loopy letters. "Lunch date?"

"It's for my mom." She explained, a smile playing at her lips. "She's back from Britain, so she said we should go for lunch."

"I had no idea your mom was out of town - country I mean." I said, watching her turn and point discreetly towards a woman.

She had dark brown hair that was almost identical to Tessa's, but hers was in tight curls, whereas Tessa's was pin straight.

"That's her over there." She said, turning back to face me. "She's from Britain, but she came here on holiday with her friends and met my dad. Now, since her career is mostly in the UK, I stay with Dad while she flies in and out."

"I mean, it's great she's here now, right?" I asked, watching her nod quickly. "When does she fly out?"

"I don't know." She sighed, shrugging slightly. "Probably in a few days, maybe a week."

"Aw, that really sucks Tess." I said sympathetically. "Will she be back soon?"

I made my way over to the coffee machine, pulling out the last made coffee and shouting, "Lacey."

I handed the coffee to Lacey, just as Tessa started talking again.

"Probably not." She frowned, eyes focused on the floor. "It could be Christmas the next time I see her."

"How about this; my friend Pearl is going to be coming up here for Halloween, to stay over for a few days." I tell her, pulling two muffins out from the display case below the till. "If your mom doesn't come home for Halloween, why don't we all have a sleepover at mine?"

"All?" She questioned, eyebrows creasing slightly.

"Pearl, Sabrina, Natara, you and me." I clarified. "My parents will probably go into town or go into the city for dinner, so we'll be alone."

"I'd like that." She smiled, and it was a genuine smile. "Thank you, Harper, really."

"No problem." I said, pushing the plate with the two muffins on it over to her and taking the coffee's, going around the side of the counter to help her bring them to the table.

Tessa put the muffins down first, sliding one to her mom before sitting down in front of her.

"There you go." I said quietly, concentration evident in my voice as I carefully placed the coffees in front of them. "One latte and one cappuccino."

"Thanks so much." Her mom said, a thick British accent being the first thing I noticed. "Are you two friends?"

"I'm Harper." I introduced myself, offering her a smile. "I'm one of Tessa's friends, yeah."

We had a short introduction before I said I had to get back to work.

As I walked back to the till, I seen Gerry nodding at a table, turning around to see it was Caz's table.

He was still reading the book from the car, his eyes scanning the words quickly.

"You've kept the lad waiting long enough." Gerry said, a thick Irish accent. "Go on, take your break and sit with him."