peppermint to be // bronnie

iv

I was sitting on a bench outside the shop before it opened, just enjoying my surrounding environment. The other businesses around us begun putting their Christmas decorations up and the temperature was lower. Both made me very happy because they were just generally happy things and they made me more money.

As I closed my eyes and soaked in the good vibes, someone began talking to me. "Hey Ronnie, mind if I join you?"

I opened one eye and looked in the direction of the voice. My other eye opened when I realized it was Brandon. "Oh -- yeah -- yes, of course," I stammered, sitting up and moving over.

He sat down and I thought, oh gosh, he even sits down beautifully.

"It's a bit chilly out today," he shivered, pulling down the sleeves of his sweater that were previously rolled up. He balled them up in his fist and crossed his arms. I had this unbelievable urge to wrap my arm around him and pull him close to me. I had to contain my thoughts before speaking.

"I like this weather, you know?" I said.

"Of course you do, you own a coffee shop and there's nothing like a hot beverage on a cold day," Brandon retorted. "Which is why I'm here."

I chuckled, "sorry, doesn't open in ten minutes."

"You own the place! Can't you just open it?"

"Dave would be even more pissed if I opened early, even if it's just ten minutes. He's already pissed because I gave you a free drink."

Brandon raised an eyebrow, "why'd you do it then?"

Because you are quite possibly the most pretty human I've ever seen and I want to impress you. "I felt like it."

He laughed lightly, "Okay, Ron."

"Did you just call me Ron?"

"Yeah -- is that okay with you?"

I nodded, "sure. Can I call you Don?"

"Absolutely not."

"C'mon, you sound more handsome as a 'Don'."

"I'm pretty sure 'Don' is short for Donald."

"Don and Ron, the dream team."

Brandon's expression changed into one between displeasure and squish. Lips pressed together tight and eyes completely dead. I wanted to grab his face and kiss his cheek right there. "I want you to return to the guy who serves me coffee now," he grumbled.

"Don't say that, Donny!" I pouted. "You don't even order coffee."

He looked away, shaking his head, his lips curling into a small smile.

"What? What is it?" I chuckled.

"I don't know, I like you, you're funny."

If it was possible for a heart to soar right out of someone's chest, that's what mine would have done. "I try my best, Brandon."

"This is so weird -- I-I don't have many friends, so this is weird."

What was weirder was the fact that such a man didn't have many friends. I didn't think before speaking. "Someone as wonderful as you doesn't have many friends?"

He blushed, "well, most people around here are college students or businessmen. I'm too old to be friends with these college kids and businessmen are draining to be around."

"You can be Dave and I's friend."

He looked back up at me, "it'd be an honor."

****

Brandon and I came back inside and I hopped behind the counter again. "So what can I get you today?"

"Just a regular hot chocolate, please," he said.

"Coming right up," I responded. I didn't want to look up at him, I didn't want to see the blush on his cheeks from the cold or whatever soft expression he was wearing. Friends weren't supposed to feel so intensely about each other.

"Wait, I have to pay you this time," Brandon said, digging in his wallet.

"Friends don't pay each other."

"Friends don't let friends go out of business either."

He handed me the money and I could feel my cheeks burn as I placed it in the cash register. I walked to the machines and began making the hot chocolate.

Dave walked up behind me, "I saw you and Mr.Marshmallow chatting it up, is he in love with you yet?"

"He just wants to be friends with us, Dave. He said he didn't have many friends -- do you believe that, David?"

"No, actually, I think he said that so he can get close to you."

"Don't give me that false hope."

"Okay, so I guess I do believe it, he's the embodiment of awkward."

"Yeah -- it's kind of fucking adorable." I didn't even care that I gave him what he wanted to hear.

"What was that again?"

I finished making the drink. Before giving it to Brandon, I told Dave, "I think I really like the cute guy who comes in everyday to order our seasonal specialties. He's so cute, sometimes I feel like I'm going to explode."

I think Dave was so shocked at my sudden confession, he didn't even respond with a snarky comment. With my own satisfaction, I walked over to Brandon.

"Thanks," he smiled as I handed him his drink.

"You're welcome," I nodded.

We spent a moment just staring at each other, and I didn't even notice it was awkward. The door opened and other costumers walked in.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked softly.

"Of course," he beamed.

It was physically hard to walk away from him. I walked over to Dave, "dude, there's no way I can run the register today, he's taken too much of my mind."

Dave smirked and reached up at me, pinching my cheek. "That's adorable." He stepped passed me and patted my back before walking off to the register.