The Boy At The Coffee Shop ~ Veronica Amadeu

A latte for Peter

6:20 a.m. and I just finished checking the inventory, now I'm going to prepare myself a warm  latte with a little bit of cinnamon, just how I always have it. 

The smell of coffee is delicious, but when it's mixed with a touch of cinnamon it is one of the best smells ever, besides the fact that it truly tastes good. I put the latte in my thermos flask just so I can keep it warm for the next 45 minutes. 

Gary is my co-worker, and even if we're not close friends like Jenna and I, I get along with him. Gary is very silent, but he's really talented at preparing all of the drinks that are served here at "Hot mugs".

 I started working in here since I was 17, and in these two years I get to see how people's lives are and the way they act on a daily basis. Jenna doesn't see the same things that I do, but she's my friend and is always in the mood for a talk, even if it has to do with my family, she doesn't care. The point here is, in these two years I have never seen a friendship or relationship last more than 7 months, but I know Jenna will always be here for me.

Work is just about to start as Tom flips the "We're open!" sign for customers to feel free to come for a warm drink. Tom is Jenna's cousin and we're really good friends as well. He is the cashier and manager of the shop. Tom and Jenna are the only people I have hopes in, they're almost like my family.

Here at "Hot mugs" we always have at least a customer and we already have one even if we just literally opened.

 I see a tall guy come in, book in hand and a bag just like mine hanging on his shoulder. He had this look of a nice studying boy, cute with his bold garamond glasses and blue scarf with a well-done knot in the front. He approaches the counter and orders a Latte to Jenna, who immediately takes the order and asks him how he would prefer it served.

"Do you want it served in a mug, or a cup?"

"In a mug, please."

"Great, so it'll be a latte in a mug for?"

"Peter. And a cookie as well."

"So.. it's $5.50"

The guy opened his bag and took out his wallet. He had left his book on the counter as I see he pulls out a 5 dollar bill as well as three other dollars.

"Here you go, keep the change, please."

He goes and walks to a nice dark wooden table and sits on the soft gray armchair. He opens his bag and pulled out what seemed to be a journal and starts writing with a gel pen.

He suddenly looks up at me and we make eye contact, I didn't expect him to look at me, and the fact that he did made me blush so I just turned to look somewhere else. I see him smiling at me as I turn to look at him again, just to see his eyes now focused on writing on his journal.

As soon as I got the mug, I started preparing his latte, and in less than three minutes I had it done and ready to be drunk. I see that Jenna approaches me, planning to tell me something.

"Alice, you should go give him his latte before it gets cold. Remember the napkin and your cellphone number on it."

"Shut up, Jen. It's your job to do that, I prepared the drink."

"Just go, he looks cute, and apparently he looks interested in you. "

And even if I didn't want to do it because I didn't want to be embarrassed, he did look cute and had looked at me. 

I took the mug and the chocolate chip cookie just to find myself walking up to him. I was never the kind of girl to ever approach a guy and hit on him, but I'll just keep it cool..... or try to.

"A latte for Peter, right?"

"Yes, that's me. Thanks, ammm... what's your name?"

"Alice, I'm Alice."

"Well, thanks Alice."

I was a little nervous, it wasn't something I could hide, I'm sure my cheeks were ruby red already. I was about to turn around and walk back to my spot when Peter talked.

"Do you like to read, Alice?"

"I don't like to read, I love to."

"Would you like to join me as I drink my latte? I'll invite you a drink."

Did he just ask me on a reading date? This is better than I expected. He is totally hitting on me and acts cool about it, and looks cute and hot at the same time. I mean.... what?

"Amm.. sure. It's just that now I have to work, but it sounds great. Maybe, later today? Around 5 or 6?"

"Sure! Yes, it sounds great. Here's my cellphone number."

"Thanks! I guess I'll see you later then..."

"See you, Alice."

I don't know if it was me or I had just  gotten myself in a date with a cute boy. I guess I'll find out today, even if the nerves were already killing me.