Audacious

Chapter 7

"Tayla, do you even know how to make a macchiato?"

I laughed as I set out two coffee mugs on the bench for Nick to pour the hot beverage into before placing four sugars onto a separate saucer. He shook his head at me with a smirk plastered across his face as he shook some chocolate powder on top to add the finishing touches to the drinks. He was teasing me.

"Well if I did," I started in defence, grabbing a cloth to wipe down the messy table top, "I wouldn't have asked you for your help. But you can't judge me, this job didn't require a diploma in ‘coffee making’ when I first applied.”

"I know, but I'm pretty sure most 18 year olds know how to make these kinds of things. Just like most 18 year olds would have a driver’s license..."

He grinned and swerved his way around me to pick up the coffees and sugars, dodging my fist that I was aiming for his stomach. I couldn’t help but laugh with him; I knew he would use that against me one day.

“When’s Sarah coming by the way? I thought she’d be here by now?”

"Her flight lands tonight actually. She - oh, do you mind checking Table 10 for me? I think he might be ready to order," he called behind his shoulder as he headed to a table that was located near the window, the coffees perfectly balanced in his hands without an effort.

I nodded as he walked away, making my own way to the other side of the diner. I still had a few more hours of this shift to go before I could head home and hang with Montana again tonight. I could barely keep my eyes open right now as I had again gotten little sleep last night. I guess I could now safely say that my sleeping pattern was ruined, all thanks to exams and work. But complaining about it wasn’t going to get me money nor anywhere for that matter.

The male that was seated by himself at the four-seater booth had his back towards me as I headed over, his head buried in the menu. As I neared the table, I turned to grab an order pad and a pen from the backside pocket of my jeans, ready to take his order.

"Good afternoon Sir, may I take your ord-" I froze as I spun around and looked down at the customer, his bright eyes the most prominent feature as I continued to stare at him with both anger and surprise.

"Harry, what are you doing here?" The couple seated behind his booth had turned from their seat to stare at me as I furiously whispered to him. But right now, that was the least of my worries. I didn’t know what to do or what to say, especially after my talk with Montana last night. I promised her that I’d avoid him, but I couldn’t exactly walk away from him right now. "I work here Styles, you know that. You can't just... show up here. You said so yourself that you wouldn’t come find me at my work."

"Is it weird if I admit that you calling me Sir kinda turns me on?" he asked, completely ignoring my question as he tilted his head up to pierce his eyes with mine as his hands fiddled with the forgotten menu that lay on the table. His eyebrows were raised and a cheeky smirk tugged at his lips, probably expecting me to chuck an insult at him. But a promise is a promise, and I intended to keep it. I needed to get away from him as soon as I could before I said something I would regret.

"Are you going to order something, or would you like me to show you the exit?" I huffed at him, drumming my fingers across the back of the note pad. He looked quite different today; it was probably just the colour change of his shirt from the trademark black to this distinct white. If it were my choice, I would’ve forced him wear different coloured and different styled shirts every day but- oh my god, why was I even thinking about this?

“What’s wrong with you today? I thought we had a great time yesterday?”

I glared at him, hoping it was a convincible look that told him that I had no time for him and his prying questions.