Business Men, Baristas, and Blizzards (Oh My!)

Chapter One: Why He Hates My Guts

Chapter One:  Why He Hates My Guts

It was an ordinary January day in Wisconsin, which means it's cold. Very cold. Why do I live here again? Anyways, all I want to do at the moment is hide under a heated blanket with my favorite fluffy pillow and Netflix, but we can't always get what we want. The reason why I can't bask in a vegetable state at home is because I am currently at work. I work at a little café called Papillon's Coffee House as a Barista, the only downside to the job is the fact that it's open until nine at night. Who would drink coffee at nine at night? When I took the job I wasn't assuming I'd be here so late, but I enjoy the work and I like coffee. Oh coffee, my love, the only thing keeping me awake right now. It was the night shift and I only had an hour left until closing time. To all of you who decide to get coffee at night- just because you don't want to sleep doesn't mean this barista doesn't want to either.

I need more coffee.

"Just keep your eyes open and you'll be out of here before you know it," I whispered to myself as my eyes were glued to the window.

The snow flakes gently fell from the sky as I lift my coffee cup to my lips. I noted that the flakes had gotten bigger in the past few minutes.

"Gross," I murmured to myself.

"Well that's a good way to welcome customers."

I jumped from my crouched position over the counter and quickly composed myself. I was surprised that someone actually came in at this time for coffee, but when I took one look at the guy my the thoughts strayed from confusion to surprise as I saw who came in.

Instead of the usual annoying teenage group, it was an attractive man. Now normally I'm not one to really notice features, but his looks were hard to ignore. His jaw was sharp, and his face was cleanly shaven, while his dark brown hair was slicked back on his head. His eyes were a piercing blue that held me in. Even with his dress shirt untucked, his sleeves rolled up, and his tie loose around his neck, I'm fairly certain he could be walking down a runway at this very moment.

"Well, are you just going to stand their gawking or take my order?"

I hadn't realized that he came up to the counter so my cheeks quickly reddened.

"H-how can I help you?"

And with that he ordered, leaving me to slowly make the realization that I couldn't possibly be interested in him. Why? Because I'm not into polygamy, his ego was so big it would probably feel like you're dating three people. Three arrogant assholes to be exact.

After he gave me a small lecture on how I was wrong about how to make numerous coffee drinks that he asked about. He finally settled with a latte. I decided I wanted him gone ASAP, so I quickly rang him up.

"One quad shot, skinny, sugar free vanilla latte will be $4.75 please."

I tried my best to put on an energetic smile, but the corner of my lips lifted only a fraction and I'm sure my eyes looked tight since I was trying to cover up my frustration.

"So when do you close... Tess," he asked me as I gave him his change, noticing his eyes locking on my name tag.

"We close at nine tonight," I said before I turned and started to grind espresso for his drink.

"Are you sure you close at nine? From your knowledge of coffee at your own job I could make the assumption that you have the hours wrong too."

Oh this son of a breve.

With that we were silent. I gladly made the drink as it distracted me from the awkward silence that was starting to fill the room. It also distracted me from wanting to strangle him.

After putting in the espresso and watching as the golden crema swirled on the surface, I slowly added the milk, making sure it hit the side of the cup to bring the golden color of the espresso to the top. I then gave it a couple of swirls around to mix the espresso, flavor, and milk; which also gave the top a swirled design. I smiled when my work was down before I capped it and headed over to bring the assh- I mean gentleman his drink.

The only problem was he wasn't there. 

"Um hello?"

No answer.

"Hello?"

Still no answer.

I shrugged and turned to leave leave it on the counter. The thing is I wasn't expecting someone to be right behind me, so the coffee that was bumped and sloshed all over the man's expensive looking shirt was also unexpected.

Well shit.