Missed Connections

Chapter 16 - The Devil Drinks Starbucks

For a barista, I feel particularly sad that I live in an area that has a dearth of good coffee.  Making my favourite drink at home is far too labourious and I certainly don't have the money to throw at a nice machine.  I'm morally opposed to the waste from pods, and my I only use my french press when I can grind my own fresh beans.  Needless to say, my coffee snob self isn't easily pleased.   But my legs are willing to travel, and I don't mind hoofing a couple of blocks to get something decent caffination.  I hit the street, and walk up to Bloor, and head east towards the Annex.  It's not quite a 10 minute walk, and there are a couple of great coffee shop just past Bathurst station.

I get to Bloor and Bathurst, and am about to cross the intersection when I see a familiar figure on the opposite side of the street.  Louis.  He's dressed in a tight jeans that are cut off just below this knees, checkered Vans, and a black t-shirt with cutoff sleeves.  He looks amazing.  His hair is perfectly tousled, and his five o'clock shadow has settled in to provide definition to his baby-faced chin.  His tattooed arms are on displayed nicely, and he seems to casually saunter down the street.  I stop dead in my tracks, make a quick reversal towards home.  Don't be stupid, Evynn.  You want to see him.  I make another about turn, and head back towards the intersection, hoping I haven't lost sight of Louis.

Definitely not.  I would recognize that cute ass anywhere.  It makes me want to take a bite right out of it.  Picking up my pace, I pursue those buns like my life depends on it.  As they head past my intended destination, I hesitate.  Coffee or ass?  A whore's morning dilemma.  Fuck it.  Coffee can wait.  My determination to reconnect with Louis is still strong, and I want him to know that I am interested in pursuing whatever this is between us.  What if Harry didn't tell him that I texted this morning?  He's got to know how I feel. I am ready to rumble and ready to tumble in the sheets.  Let's do this!

I have almost caught up when I see Louis walk into the Starbucks.  Of course.  Corporate monkey.  Starbucks socialist.  My brain fires off more judgemental nonsense, and I try to shake them off.  Who am I kidding?  We all give in to the allure of the venti non-fat, vanilla earl grey misto once in a while.  I internally shrug, and walk up the step towards the door.  I look up and see Louis at the counter standing next to a cute, skinny brunette.  He's carrying two coffee cups and she is laughing and touching his arm, looking in to his eyes.  The same eyes that were focused on me last, the same arms that enveloped me.  I feel sick.

I drop my hand from the door handle like it's on fire.  There is a searing pain in my gut and I almost double over on the spot.  The sinking feeling in my gut is back, and my chest is tight once more.  All the progress I made with the girls last night seems to be falling by the way side.  I am frozen to the spot, paralyzed by emotion, unable to focus on anything else.  I feel like an idiot.  I bought in to the hype and believe that this flirt bag wanted me.  Only me.  But he didn't promise that, did he?  Fuck.   How did I go from hesitation to resolution without actually taking that in to account.  I need to take a breath. 

I leave the doorway of the Starbucks, and rest again the wall brick wall near the patio.  I close my eyes and focus on the sounds of birds twittering and people chatting nearby.  I inhale deeply, hold it for a few seconds, the release it slowly.  I repeat this action once more.  This time I concentrate on the sunshine beaming on my face, and how amazing it feels.  One more breath.  I center on the feeling on the brick wall behind my back and how strong it feels.  Moments like this are key for emotional people like me.  Clarity can be fleeting, and this process helps me find it.  I am just about to open my eyes when I feel someone lightly touch my arm.

"Evynn?"

Louis.

My brain is already picturing the scene before me.  Louis with his arm around her waist.  Louis kissing her and bending her over a bed, teasing her, licking her, touching her.  My body aches wishing it was me.  I take one more quick breath in and release it before slowly opening my eyes. And I am surprised by what I see.  Louis is standing next to me, alone.  His crystal blue eyes are focused on my face, his eyebrows pushed together in concern.  In his hand is a drink tray with two coffee cups. Great, skinny bitch is gone, but clearly not far away.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?  You don't look fine."

"I'm fine."  I push his hand off my arm, and start to walk away.  He grabs my hand, pulling my back towards him.

"Wait!  Where the hell are you going?"

"Away from here.  Before your new gal pal comes back."

"Erm, who?  What the hell are you talking about?" 

I spin around and take him in standing in the middle of the side walk.  Why does he need to look so sexy?  I fight the urge to cling to him, and instead let my inner diva do the talking.

"Look, I know I fucked up last night.  I should have texted you back, but I didn't.  I'm sorry.  I tried to make it up this morning, but clearly you've been busy.  I already felt like a jerk, and now to see you with another woman in my neighbourhood is just really shitty.  If you want to dip your dick in to someone else because I didn't give you any, fine.  But do it on your own turf, ok?" 

I look at Louis, giving my best death glare.  I'm not sure what kind of response I expected, but it certainly wasn't him laughing.  Seriously, why is he always laughing at me.  Ass hat. 

"What the fuck are you laughing at?"

"Evynn, you are the most interesting woman I have ever met."

"But clearly not the only one."

Louis moves closer to me, almost pressing his chest against mine.  My breath catches in my throat.  He smells like a delicious combination of espresso and fresh cologne.  Even just having him in close proximity cause my body to alight in response.  I feel my nipples hardening in my bra, and it takes all my concentration not to jump into his arms and wrap my legs around his torso.  It's as if he senses that his touch is physically torturing me.  He smirks, and I am brought back to reality. 

"Oh, no you don't.  You can't distract me from the fact I am annoyed with you."  I move my hands to push him away, but they seem to linger, touching his chest and feeling his toned chest underneath my hands.  My already crumbling resolve takes a huge hit when I feel Louis move even closer to me, bringing his mouth to my ear and tickling my earlobe with his breath. 

"Annoyed with me?  Why?"

I feel myself responding to his touch, pressing my chest against his, not caring that we are in the middle of the street.  Two can play at this game.  I move my own lips towards his ear and whisper slowly, enunciating deliberately and seductively.  "Because you were chatting up some other girl just now.  I saw you.  The brunette.  Tell me, who the fuck is the coffee for, Louis?"

Realization clicks, and Louis moves away just slightly.  He moves the coffee tray between us, looks down at the two cups, then back up at me, smirking.

"It's for you, luv.  Didn't you get my text?"

I blush.  I quickly dig in to my messenger bag, finding my phone, which is now very clearly dead.  "No. I'm out of power."

Louis laughs, making the colour in my cheeks deepen.  He hands me one of the drinks, which I reluctantly take.  "I didn't know what you wanted in your coffee, so I asked that Starbucks girl for her opinion. But I think her yoga pants were on too tightly because she clearly thought it meant I was flirting with her.  It took me forever to peel her away from me."

I take this all in, staring at the ground.  We're not even in a relationship and I am already taking this emotional roller-coaster deal too seriously.  I need to chill.  Shuffling my feet and digging my toes in to the ground, I muster the courage to look at Louis once more.

"Um, sorry I went Fatal Attraction there."

Louis smiles, and this time it's a smile that lights up his whole face.  "Don't be. I like you, feisty girl."

I smile back. "Thanks for the coffee."

"Any time."

I gaze at Louis.  His perfect blue eyes lock on to mine.  The world around us disappears and the air between us seems to crackle.  I lean forward and plant my lips firmly on his.  He responds and we enjoy a deep, sensual kiss.  He naturally breaks it off , presses his forehead to mine, and tugs be me closer to him, tucking me under his arm.

"That's better."

"You're the devil, Louis."