inkspresso

shouldnt you know that?

Jack sighs as he serves yet another vanilla latte. Even though the afternoon shift has a lot of movement, he confesses he enjoys doing the night shift the most. It's calmer, and Zach is there.

He and Ava change stations. Jack now moves to the register as Ava starts making drinks.

"Did Zach tell you how his date went?"

Jack nods as he gives a random client some change. Jack writes names on the paper cups. "He didn't like the guy."

Ava pauses. "Really? He was like totally cute.

"Hello, what can I get you?" Jack smiles.

"Two capuccinos to go, please."

"Names, please."

"No names, but could you please give me those things to hold two cups?"

"Of course. That'll be eight dollars and fifty cents, please." He turns his head toward her. "He said the guy wasn't his type."

"What's his type then?"

"Two capuccinos." He hands the change. "Guys that make him laugh and that have pretty smiles. Oh, and that can cook."

Ava furrows her eyebrows as she makes the drinks. Jack had asked their mom to teach him some things around the kitchen.

She shakes her head as she finally connects the dots. Not sneaky in the slightest. "Really? Then I guess you're off the market then. You can't cook to save your life." She teases.

"Hey, I get by just fine." He complains. A silence settled between them as the clients stopped coming. "It's not like I like him or anything. I'm totally straight."

"Right." Ava confirms.

"I am!" He goes all defensive, which only confirms her suspicions.

"And I'm agreeing with you." She replies in a casual manner.

Jack rolls his eyes and looks at as a shadow is cast over the register. He puts on his fake client smile."Good afternoon. What can I get you?"

He sees Zach. During the day. It's him. In a tight crop top. Those really look good on him.

"I'd like a mocha, please. Uhm, to go, please."

"And it's Zach with an h or a k?" He questions before he writes it.

Zach chuckles. "Shouldn't you know that?" He teases.

Jack chuckles as he writes his name. He turns it to him. He wrote it with an h.

"Good job!" He gives him two thumbs up.

"That'll be three dollars."

Zach hands him a five dollar bill. "Keep the change. It's for getting my name right." He jokes.

Jack smiles. "See? I totally know your name." He playfully adds.

The brunet chuckles as he steps to the side to wait for his coffee.

"Caps are done."Ava sets on the side.

Jack prepares the cup holder and hands it to the person awaiting them. The curly head wipes the counter as he moves closer to Zach.

"It's not common to see you around at this time." He comments.

Zach looks away from his phone. "I have a presentation coming up. It's worth like half my mark, so I really gotta like put in the work." He sighs.

"What is it about?"

"It's about the novel Emma, by Jane Austen. I'm talking about all the kinds of love displayed in the novel."

"Oh, like the love for her dad and Elizabeth?"

Zach nods. "I was gonna read the book again this afternoon and take notes of quotes and stuff." He nods his head at him. "And you?"

"Afternoon shift today and morning shift tomorrow." He groans. "The night shift is so much -"

"Excuse me?" A girl approaches them. "Sorry for interrupting, but..." she looks at Zach. "You're like really cute. Can I get your Instagram or something?"

The brunet chuckles nervously. "Oh... I'm like, totally gay." He smiles awkwardly.

"Oh, sorry about it. I really like your crop top, though."

"Thanks, I like your shirt." He smiles politely as the girl walks off.

"Someone's famous round here." Jack teases.

They hear a few girls sigh.

Zach chuckles. "Why do you think I prefer to be awake at night?" He jokes.

"Mocha is done." Ava announces.

Jack hands him it. "Good luck with your research."

Zach groans. "Don't remind me of it!" He whines.

They two chuckle, and Zach walks into the library portion of the café. Jack watches as he goes. He has a really nice physique, now that he notices. Nice toned back, with a voluptuous-

"Jack?" Ava nudges him.

"What?" He turns to her.

"I said, can you clean the sink? It's getting really messy."

"Sure." He starts washing cups and cutlery.

Ava moves closer to him. "So, you and Zach have grown pretty close."

He nods. "We're friends."

Ava hums. She then purposely makes fun of her brother's inner turmoil, as a good sister would. "If you were gay, I could totally see you two together."

Jack's hands falter. "I-I'm not gay." He mumbles.

"I didn't say you were. Not that you wouldn't be the same Jack if you were. You would. I just think you'd be a good match."

She could see the tips of his ears turning red. Oh, he was definitely embarrassed. "Why do you say so?"

She shrugs. "You make each other laugh. That's a good start for me."

Jack smiled softly. "I mean, he can make anyone laugh. He's pretty sociable and fun to be around." He comments.

Ava smirks. "Are you sure?" She feigns concern. "He rejected that girl pretty roughly."

"I wouldn't say roughly. He was just upfront." He defends him. "He wasn't gonna lead them on."

"Yesh, I guess." She shrugs. "I mean, he was totally laughing with you. Doesn't that mean you entertain him?

His cheeks are dusted in pink. She smiles, satisfied with her snooping around. Ava is sure of it now.

Her brother likes Zach.

"I guess. I like to be around him, he's fun." He admits.

"Yeah, he is."She smiles.

She's yet to ascertain whether Zach likes Jack as well. But with this idiot's luck, he might as well like him.

Jack turns into a really annoying person when he likes someone. He's always texting the girls he likes, always on his phone as he types.

Yet, Ava has a weird feeling in her stomach. As if things will be different with Zach.

She smirks. "I mean, if he wasn't gay I'd totally hit it." As much as she likes Zach, it's merely platonic. She has never developed any feelings beyond a friendship. Ava sees Jack's hand clench around a mug. Oh, he was jealous.

Ava nudges him. "Thank God he's gay, huh?" She chuckles.

Jack turns his face to her. "Yeah, he doesn't have to date your annoying ass." His tone is playful, but there's a certain edge to it. Definitely jealous.

"Please, I'm a delight to be around." She rolls her eyes.