Notre Petit Lieu

Espresso [3]

Jamie took Kate back to her café. And for a while she just cried in his arms as he tried to comfort her by playing with her hair.

It would've been romantic if the situation was different - like if she was crying over the first 10 minutes of UP. But she was crying over a broken heart in the arms of the culprit's brother.

As Kate was sobbing her heart out, Jamie couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. His brother wasn't a cheater and Kate wasn't uncomfortable from being held by him. He knew he shouldn't have thought of his own gain at the time, but the thought wouldn't leave his mind.

5 minutes before opening time, Kate wiped away her tears and began to start work behind the counter, there wasn't much to do, but everything had to be prepared or there would be chaos. She didn't know what to do, her heart just been torn apart and a random stranger she didn't know had comforted her. She walked out from the kitchen and went to ask if Jamie, the stranger she just met, wanted something to drink. However, when she walked out she saw the last person she wanted to see. Nathan. He was there, two bags of baby formula sat by his ankle, at a table talking to Jamie.

Jamie didn't know what his brother was doing here, he just hurt a poor girl with a misunderstanding and he had the guts to show up? Nathan sat down in front of Jamie. Jamie darted glares at him, shaking his head in disappointment.

"I didn't mean to lead her on." Was the first thing that Nathan said.

Jamie didn't answer, he just glared.

Kate coughed, hoping to make herself known. She didn't want to eavesdrop, not after what happened this morning. Instead she served them just as she would any other customers. "Are you ready to order?" She asked politely, putting on a fake smile.

Nathan was the first to answer, "Kate,  can we talk?" He stated, he first glanced at his brother and then back to Kate. "Alone."

"I'm sorry, there's nothing to talk about. I'm at work right now and I won't show unprofessional behaviour in front of customers, please order something or go home." She said in a sickly sweet voice, hoping to conceal the sadness and hurt that was behind her voice.

"Nathan, it's best if you just leave her alone. Don't you think you've done enough already?"

Beginning to feel frustrated now -Nathan's mind was filled with anger- Jamie interrupted him several times and was an outsider to this discussion. Nathan thought that if it was his own mistake, it had to be him that corrects it.

Thoughts of when they were younger has came back to Nathan's mind... Him having to cater to Jamie because he was 3 months younger. Him being called a momma's boy. Bitter memories flowed out, but he composed himself as there were also many good ones and he didn't want to lose his only brother.

Kate turned to Jamie, "Jamie, I don't know you, heck I never even knew you existed up until an hour ago! But please, I can take care of myself."  She knew he was trying to protect her, but she didn't need him or his help. All she really wanted was to pour herself a nice cup of hot chocolate and forgot this happened and carry on with her life.

Jamie, on the other hand, didn't want to leave Kate alone. He knew that they only just met, but there was something about her that he couldn't quite place his finger on. Yeah, she's beautiful, but that wasn't it.

He actually cared about her, he had never felt this way before and had nothing to compare to. Maybe she was like a younger sister he wanted to protect? No, that wasn't it. He knew what this was, but didn't want to admit anything that he would regret later.

He wanted to stay, he had to stay. He decided that he would stay even if she hit him with a rolling pin. He smiled at the thought.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'll go to the bathroom while the two of you talk. But I'm not leaving you after what just happened." He smirked.

Kate didn't know if she wanted to talk to Nathan, but she knew she needed this off her chest. While she was deciding on Jamie's offer as she studied his profile. He was tall, lean, nicely built and his mop of dark hair was completely different from Nathan's light blonde hair.

"No eavesdropping." Her voice began to waver, "Please?"

"Yes ma'am!" He mock saluted, turned and marched to the male's toilet. Restrained giggles fell from her lips at his goofiness then turned to Nathan.

"First of all, I would like to apologise for seeming sour, the last time I felt this way was a while ago." Her left hand brushed the stray stand of hair behind her ear, "I shouldn't have assumed anything."

Guilt hit Nathan. He wanted to tell her that she didn't need to apologise and that he was the one at fault, but he continued to listen to her voice. His sacred place had once again been destroyed by his kids. No, it wasn't right for him to blame his children, it was his own fault.

After the conversation- Nathan left. He thought the longer he stayed the more it would hurt her, and returned to his wife and twins. They were so oblivious to everything that had happened and after all that occurred; he realised that they were perfect and his home was his sanctuary.

At the café, customers were coming in and out, one stayed for longer than the rest: Jamie. He sat at the counter and looked at Kate the whole time, as if protecting her with his eyes. His eyes never left her except for the occasional glance on the phone.

It was getting on her nerves, to the point where she wanted to scream at him.

"Excuse me, Sir," putting on her most fake smile "If you aren't ordering something, I must suggest you leave."

Jamie smiled back "Of course, that's only reasonable, I'll have a black coffee with no sugar.

Kate bit her lip, she didn't think that he would order, but continued to smile at him and went behind the counter to make his order.

It was a slow day, and not many costumers which was quite usual for a Saturday, regulars were mostly mum's coming in having a chat whilst their kids were at school so weekends were less busy, this meant that she was able to close early.

It had just past 9 o'clock, and Kate had turned the sign at the door from 'Open' to 'Close'. She let out a sigh of relief and finished tidying.

Jamie was waiting outside for her to finish up, he had left around two hours ago to organise something, as she stepped out she saw him standing in front of her.

"Hey,"

"Hey."

"Let's go on an adventure."