Where the roses bloom

Chapter 2-B

Maya's Point of view

The café had that late afternoon buzz—people coming in after work, some college students camped out with their laptops and notebooks. As I stepped behind the counter, Uncle Kenny gave me a quick nod from the register, where he was in his usual spot, ringing up an order. "Alright, Maya, time to earn your keep!" he teased with a wink.

"Don't I always?" I shot back with a grin.

I grabbed my notepad and started my usual rounds. First up, a couple at table five who looked like they'd been waiting a bit too long for their dessert.

"Sorry about the wait! Got a slice of our carrot cake and a lemon tart for you," I said, setting the plates down. "Anything else I can get you guys?"

They smiled, clearly relieved. "This looks great, thanks," one of them said, and the other nodded, already digging in.

As I moved to the next table, Roger, our cook—early thirties, always looking like he's just woken up from a nap—poked his head out from the kitchen. "Maya, we're low on mozzarella again," he said, sounding mildly annoyed but not really surprised.

I shrugged. "I told you yesterday we'd run out if you made ten more of your grilled cheese specials. No one listens to the waitress."

Roger rolled his eyes but smirked. "Yeah, yeah. I'll make do."

I snorted and moved on to the next table. A couple of new customers had just walked in—a girl with oversized headphones around her neck and another wrapped in a jacket like she expected it to snow. Internally, I groaned a little. New people. Ugh. Cue awkwardness.

But as I approached, something weird happened. Instead of freezing up, I smiled and spoke without even thinking about it.

"Hey there! Feel free to grab a seat wherever. I'll be right over."

They took a spot by the window, and I slid them menus, all smooth and natural-like.

"First time here?" I asked, almost surprised at myself.

The girl with the headphones smiled. "Yeah, we just moved in nearby. Wanted to check this place out."

"Well, you're in for a treat. The grilled cheese here is a life-changer. And the hot chocolate? Legendary," I added with a wink. "Take your time, I'll be back in a sec."

They grinned, and as I walked away, I caught the headphone girl whispering, "She's cool." Cool? Me? Wow, okay. Not the usual vibe I get, but I'll take it.

I headed back to the counter just as Chris—our 'barista-in-training' who somehow managed to mess up the simplest drinks—was steaming milk like his life depended on it. Jenny, the actual barista and reigning queen of all things espresso, was keeping a close eye on him.

"You doing okay there, Chris?" I teased, watching as his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Don't distract him, Maya," Jenny said, but she was grinning. "He's only burned himself twice today."

"Hey, that's progress," I said with a laugh. Chris shook his head but smiled as he carefully poured the milk into a latte.

Just then, I noticed a guy waving me down at table nine. He looked like he'd been chewed up and spit out by a corporate job—loosened tie, eyes half-closed like he was barely hanging on.

"Be right back," I told Jenny, grabbing my notepad again. "What can I get for you?" I asked when I reached him.

"Uh, something strong. Coffee, black. Just... black."

"Got it, one black coffee coming up. Hang tight." I turned to head back to the counter, but before I could get there, Uncle Kenny called out to me from the register.