Daddy Issues

43 - Love & Latte's

3 months later

'Morning, Emma.'

'Morning, Ravi. One large black coffee, as usual?'

'You know it.'

I smile at the handsome man on the other side of the counter as I put in his order. He comes by here almost every day at 10, claiming the coffee at the hospital that he works at tastes like garbage water.

I always like to see him. He likes to make some conversation, and if I'm being honest, there's often a bit of innocent flirting. Which is pretty flattering, coming from a man like him.

'Slow morning?' he asks me as I turn around to prepare his coffee.

'It's been alright. The morning rush is just over.'

'Oh, good. Wouldn't want you to get bored.'

'Don't worry about that. Never a dull moment at Love & Latte's.'

I smile at him when I hand him his coffee. He takes it from me, but hesitates before leaving. So I look at him curiously, which makes him laugh a little self-consciously.

His gaze drops down for a moment, but then he turns his eyes deliberately back to me.

'I want to take you out. Are you free for dinner tonight?'

'Oh!' I exclaim, my cheeks turning pink at the sudden forward proposal.

'I'm, uhh... I wasn't expecting that.'

'You weren't?' he asks with a grin. 'I guess I've been too subtle then.'

I laugh and drum my fingers on the counter. He really is very handsome. And very charming. Judging by the clothes he wears, a pretty successful doctor too.

But I'm just not sure if I'm ready to start dating. I was a mess after the whole situation with Dan and I've been trying very hard to put myself back together.

I got the job at the coffeeshop. I'm the newest barista at Love & Latte's and, surprisingly, I actually like it. Chloe, the owner, gave me a chance even though I didn't have any actual experience, because we kind of hit it off from the start. She's only 29, and I think she's really cool, running this place all on her own.

It took a little more time to get used to my fellow barista, Joey. He's a little snotty, very judgmental, seems to think he's assistant manager, which he isn't, and he had very little faith in me from the moment I started my first shift. But once I proved that I'm not entirely incapable and that I'm not opposed to a bit of good gossip, our relationship significantly improved.

'Oh my God, if you don't go out with him, I will,' Joey whispers to me now, leaning in close to me under the pretence of grabbing a fresh coffee cup.

Ravi continues to look at me expectantly. He is a catch. And he's nice. And maybe it's time to try some actual dating again.

After Dan left, I spiraled. I couldn't handle being home with mom, because things were even worse than they were before. She didn't bring up Dan again. Or Jack. Or how I make it so difficult for her to love me. But it's like the things she said hang between us every time we try to interact. And then there is also, of course, the crushing guilt. I can barely stand to be in the kitchen with her, because all I can think about is how I made out with Dan right there.