Runway Love

Chapter Three

"Yeah, hi. Can I get a caramel macchiato and a double chocolatey chip frappucino?" I asked the barista, who took the orders and read back the total to me. I handed her Dana's credit card. She swiped it, I signed, I got the card back. Dana assigned me to get her usual daily coffee from Starbucks because she fired Felicia who usually did it. Felicia accidentally ordered Dana a hazelnut macchiato and there is a HUGE difference between coffee flavors, according to Dana. Like, this is Dana Cavagnaro we're talking about! She's a very important figure and that woman needs her coffee. You do not screw up Dana's order, ever. It's strictly caramel macchiato's and the occasional green tea latte on a day where it's exactly 67 degrees outside in the spring. 

I walked to the area where the barista called out the coffees and gave them to you. I scrolled through my phone. Four days now and Connor hasn't called me. I literally feel like an idiot for thinking some stranger would ever call a rookie model back. Like, why go for Jaime Nebraska, the girl who fell off the runway when you can go for Barbara Pavlin from Victoria's Secret? There's a huge difference between Barbara and I, and it's mainly just me being the new kid in the modelling industry, and the fact that I fell and Barbara probably hasn't.

"A caramel macchiato and a double chocolatey chip frap for Jaime?" the barista called out. As if I were still in school, I raised my hand up in the air. Once I realized that I was out of school and currently in a Starbucks, I put my hand down and walked over to grab the drinks. I suddenly felt something touch my back.

"Hey, don't touch my back!" I said sternly, before turning around. Once I did I realized what I mistake I had made. I was staring right at Connor Parker, the man who hasn't called me for the past four days. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Connor Parker." I sneered, putting my drinks on the table next to me and placing my hands on my hips. I was going to be so sassy to him, he's totally in for it. 

"Well, you don't sound too happy to see me." he chuckled, placing his drink down on the table, and gesturing for me to take a seat. I hesitated at first, but ended up sitting down at the table with him. 

"Well, duh!" I exclaimed, raising my eyebrows. "A model gives you her number, and you're stupid enough to not call back?" I said, leaning back and crossing my arms. "You're weird, Connor. Very weird and you frustrate me, and I've only seen you once." Connor laugh at my last sentence. I rolled my eyes at him. I'm being serious right now he is not allowed to laugh at me seriousness.

"I'm sorry, Jaime. I went out later that night and your number rubbed off my arm before I could put it into my phone." he apologized, explaining what had happened, that caused for him to not call me. "I can make up for it though. Give me your number now, I'll put it into my phone." Connor pulled out his phone and opened up a new contacts page. I sighed, giving into him so easily. Geez, what happened to me being sassy towards him? I snatched his phone, and typed in both my name and number, then handed him back his phone. Connor smiled at me, then glanced at his phone. 

"I have to get back to Dana with her coffee. I don't want to end up where Felicia did." I told him. Connor raised an eyebrow, confused on what happened to Felicia. Oh, I should ellaborate. "She got fired." Connor nodded, and we both got up from our table.

"I'll walk with you to your car." he offered, but I declined.

"I didn't drive, I walked from the building. It's only like, a block away." I replied. Connor chuckled at my response.

"Then I'll walk you back." ugh, he's persistant. I simply nodded my head, allowing him to accompany me, and we walked out of the Starbucks and headed for the Cavagnaro Designs building. Connor wouldn't stop cracking cheesy jokes along the way, nor did he stop singing. I felt the crowds eyes burning into my back as Connor sang Fly by Sugar Ray. Don't get me wrong, I love Sugar Ray. I'm just not a huge fan of Connor singing in public while walking with me. After a long, dreadful walk, we finally arived at the doors to Cavagnaro Designs.

"We're here." I said, smiling, both in relief and the fact that Connor was there. When he's not singing, and just standing there smiling at me, he's alright and it makes me feel happy. 

"Should I walk you up to your department?" he offered. He just wants to walk me everywhere, doesn't he? I laughed, and shook my head.

"Nah, everyone's going to recognize you, and your name won't be off the press for a while." I said. Connor rolled his eyes, and grabbed my hand softly. 

"I wouldn't mind, Jaime." at his words, I blushed, and quickly turned away to hide it. Pulling away my hand before anyone could see, I put it into my pocket and took a deep breath. "You alright?" he asked.

"Oh, yeah. Just uh.." I paused for a moment to make up an excuse for me pulling away. "Gas..?" yep, that's my poor excuse. Connor isn't oblivious. He knows I'm bluffing, but he lets it slide. He might have also picked up that I'm a nervous wreck and how much I blushed when he took my hand.

"Well, you should get back to your boss." he said, breaking the awkward silence between us. "I'll see you around. Jaime." he said, before turning around to walk back towards the Starbucks.

"Wait!" I called out for him. Connor turned around. "Can I expect you to call me this time?" I asked him. Connor chuckled, looked at the ground, then back at me.

"Yeah, you can." he confirmed. "Your number can't erase off my arm again." he said, before taking off for real this time. I smiled to myself before entering the bulding. Once I arrived on the floor Dana was on, she ran to me. Not because I walked through, but because I walked through with her coffee.

"Oh my God, finally." she rejoiced, grabbing her coffee. "What took you so long?" she questioned. I smiled to myself before answering her.

"Oh, I saw an old friend." I replied, not exactly telling the truth, but whatever. "I ended up talking to him- I mean her, for a bit." I finished. Dana nodded, and walked off with her caramel macchiato.