Behind The Counter/ Chace Crawford

Change

For the next few days, whenever Tisch wasn't overwhelmed with work, she found herself hanging out with Chace in the café. Their conversations flowed naturally, spanning various topics like their favorite action movies, romantic comedies, and everything in between. What started as an awkward dare had turned into an unexpected but enjoyable friendship.

Shane and Mike, ever observant, had taken note of the change. They exchanged knowing glances and whispered comments about the evolving dynamic between Tisch and Chace. It was clear to them that Chace's frequent visits were no longer just about getting coffee; he genuinely enjoyed Tisch's company.

One afternoon, as the café buzzed with the usual mix of regulars and new customers, Chace approached the counter to place his order. Shane was there to greet him, expecting the usual.

"Hey Chace," Shane said with a smile, already reaching for a cup to make Chace's regular coffee. "The usual?"

Chace shook his head, surprising Shane. "Actually, I think I'll have an iced tea today."

Shane paused, the cup in his hand. "Iced tea?" He glanced over his shoulder at Mike, who was preparing another order. "Did you hear that, Mike? Chace is changing it up."

Mike looked up, eyebrows raised in surprise. "No way. Iced tea? Are you feeling okay, Chace?"

Chace laughed, shrugging. "Yeah, I'm good. Just felt like something different today."

Shane and Mike exchanged another look, this one filled with silent questions. They had been serving Chace the same coffee for years, and this sudden change was nothing short of shocking.

As Shane prepared the iced tea, he couldn't help but tease Chace a bit. "You know, Tisch's influence must be rubbing off on you. We've never seen you order anything but coffee."

Chace smiled, leaning casually against the counter. "Maybe. She's got a point about trying new things. Plus, I've been drinking way too much coffee lately."

Tisch, who was organizing some supplies nearby, overheard the conversation and joined them with a curious expression. "What's this about too much coffee?"

Shane handed Chace his iced tea and nodded toward him. "Our friend here just ordered an iced tea. First time in, what, three years?"

Tisch looked at Chace, amused. "Wow, look at you, breaking the mold."

Chace chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "Figured it was time for a change. Plus, I thought I'd surprise you guys."

Tisch smiled, appreciating the light-hearted moment. "Well, I'm impressed. Maybe next time you'll try one of our smoothies."

Chace raised his glass in a mock toast. "Maybe I will."

As the day continued, Tisch found herself reflecting on how quickly things had changed between her and Chace. Their newfound friendship felt easy and natural, a pleasant addition to her routine. The crew's reaction to Chace's new order was just another reminder of how much had shifted in such a short time.

By the end of the day, after the café had closed and the last customer had left, Tisch sat down with Shane and Mike, recounting the events of the past few days. They laughed about the iced tea incident and shared their thoughts on Chace's evolving presence in their lives.

"You know," Mike said thoughtfully, "it's nice to see you two getting along so well. I think it's good for both of you."

Tisch nodded, feeling grateful for her friends' support. "Yeah, it is. I didn't expect it, but I'm glad it happened."

Shane grinned, nudging her playfully. "Just wait until he tries one of our smoothies. That'll be the real test."

They all laughed, the sound filling the empty café and echoing through the warm, inviting space that Tisch had built. As they finished up their closing duties, Tisch felt a sense of contentment.