Behind The Counter/ Chace Crawford

Mom

Customers chatted quietly at their tables, and the rich aroma of coffee beans wafted through the air. Tisch was busy behind the counter, taking orders and managing the flow of the day, when Chace walked in with a determined look on his face.

"Hey, Tisch!" Chace called out, making his way to the counter. "You need to take a break and come with me to watch 'Ghosted'." Tisch glanced up from the register, surprised. "Chace, I can't just leave. I have a café to run."

Chace leaned on the counter, flashing his charming smile. "Come on, you've been working non-stop. You deserve a break. Plus, I hear it's a great movie."

Tisch shook her head, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "I appreciate the offer, but I really can't. The café needs me."

Their playful bickering caught Shane's attention. He walked over, wiping his hands on a towel, and joined the conversation. "What's going on here?""Chace is trying to get me to leave work and go watch a movie," Tisch explained, still smiling.

Shane raised an eyebrow and looked at Chace. "You're really persistent, aren't you?"Chace nodded. "Absolutely. Tisch needs a break. And I'm not taking no for an answer. Besides, 'Ghosted' stars Ana de Armas and Chris Evans, her celebrity crush. How can you say no to that?"

Shane considered this for a moment, then turned to Tisch with a reassuring smile. "You know, Tisch, we've got things covered here. It's not as busy this afternoon. Mike and I can handle it."

Tisch hesitated, glancing between Chace and Shane. "Are you sure? I don't want to leave you guys short-handed."Shane nodded confidently. "Positive. You've been working hard. Go enjoy yourself."With a reluctant sigh and a grateful smile, Tisch finally agreed. "Alright, alright. You win, Chace. But just this once."Chace grinned triumphantly.

"Deal. Let's go before you change your mind."Tisch quickly grabbed her bag and followed Chace out of the café. As they walked down the street toward the cinema, she couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. It had been a while since she took time off for herself, and she wasn't sure what to expect.At the cinema, they bought their tickets and made their way to their seats. The lights dimmed, and the movie started, but Tisch found herself more engrossed in the experience of being out of the café and spending time with Chace than in the film itself.

Throughout the movie, Chace would occasionally glance over at her, smiling when he saw her enjoying herself. They shared a bucket of popcorn, and for a couple of hours, Tisch allowed herself to relax and enjoy the moment.

After the movie, they walked back to the café, chatting about their favorite scenes and characters. Tisch felt a sense of lightness that she hadn't felt in a while."Thanks for dragging me out, Chace," she said sincerely. "I needed that."Chace smiled, hands in his pockets.

"Anytime. You work too hard. It's good to take a break every now and then."As they approached 'Bean Here', Tisch could see through the window that Shane and Mike were handling everything smoothly. She felt a wave of gratitude for her reliable team."Looks like they managed just fine without me," Tisch said with a laugh."They're a good crew and good friends," Chace agreed.

"And hey, now you know it's okay to step away sometimes."Tisch nodded, feeling a renewed sense of balance. "Yeah, I guess so."They stepped back into the café, where Shane and Mike greeted them with knowing smiles."How was the movie?" Shane asked."Great," Tisch replied. "Thanks for covering for me, guys."Mike waved it off. "No problem. You should do it more often."Chace looked around the café, his eyes scanning for a familiar face. "Looks like everything's under control. How about we grab a table and relax for a bit?"

Tisch nodded, about to agree, when she noticed Shane and Mike exchanging glances and subtly signaling toward a corner of the café. Tisch followed their gaze and her eyes widened in surprise. Sitting at one of the tables was her mother, the famous designer, Monique Lhuillier.

Monique was effortlessly elegant, her presence commanding the room even as she sat quietly, sipping her coffee. Tisch's heart skipped a beat. It wasn't often that her mother visited her café unannounced."Mom?" Tisch exclaimed, walking over to the table with Chace following close behind. "What are you doing here?"

Monique looked up, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Hello, darling. I was in the area and thought I'd drop by to see how you're doing."

Tisch gave her mother a hug, still a little taken aback by the unexpected visit. "It's so good to see you! This is Chace, a regular at the café and a friend."Chace extended his hand, a polite smile on his face. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Lhuillier."Monique shook his hand, her smile never faltering. "Nice to meet you, Chace. Please, both of you, sit."

They sat down, and a moment of silence passed as Tisch tried to gather her thoughts. Her mother's visits were always pleasant but rare, given her busy schedule as a renowned designer.

"How's the café doing?" Monique asked, looking around appreciatively."It's great, Mom. Busy as always," Tisch replied, glancing at Shane and Mike, who were discreetly watching the scene unfold."And you, Chace? Do you enjoy coming here?" Monique inquired, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

Chace nodded, his demeanor relaxed. "Absolutely. Bean Here is my favorite spot. It's got a great atmosphere, and the coffee's fantastic."Monique smiled approvingly. "I'm glad to hear that. Tisch has put her heart and soul into this place."

Tisch blushed slightly, feeling both proud and embarrassed by her mother's praise. "Thanks, Mom. It means a lot coming from you."

After a while, Monique glanced at her watch. "I should get going, darling. I have a meeting to attend. But it was lovely to see you."Tisch stood up, giving her mother another hug. "Thank you for coming by, Mom. It was a wonderful surprise."

Monique smiled warmly. "Take care, dear. And Chace, it was a pleasure meeting you."

"Likewise, Ms. Lhuillier," Chace replied with a courteous nod. "Monique will do". As Monique left the café, Tisch watched her go, a thoughtful expression on her face. Chace noticed and gently nudged her. "You okay?"Tisch turned to him, smiling.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just wasn't expecting to see her today."Chace, still looking a bit stunned, managed a smile. "I didn't know your mom was Monique Lhuillier. That's... wow."

Tisch laughed lightly. "Yeah, I guess I don't really mention it. It's just part of my life."Chace smiled back, trying to process the new information. "Well, you've certainly succeeded in creating a wonderful place here. Your mom must be really proud."

"She is," Tisch agreed. "And it was good to have a reminder of why I started this café. It's not just about the coffee. It's about creating a place where people can connect."Chace nodded, understanding.

"Well, you've certainly succeeded in that."Tisch felt a surge of gratitude. "Thanks, Chace. And thanks for dragging me out today. I needed that."