Smitten Over Coffee

Chapter Sixteen: Two Pumpkin Lattes, Extra Whipped Cream

Julian buried the lower half of his face in the thick, red scarf wrapped around his neck. The air was crisp and chilly, the sun hidden by thick, gray clouds. Normally he enjoyed the autumn weather, but now everything seemed to irk him. It didn't help that he'd been drinking subpar coffee at Mickey's Muffins. Everything there was bitter or burnt. The coffee. The muffins. The underpaid staff. He really missed Doki Doki.

He gazed longingly at the cafe as he passed it on his way home. What he wouldn't give for a pumpkin latte. But he couldn't do it. There were too many memories in there. Too many laughs, too many smiles, too many wasted opportunities. Did it even matter? Clearly there was someone else in Flora's life. Boyfriend or not, she had looked quite happy in his arms. Whoever he was, she cared for him.

Lucky jerk.

A bell sounded behind him, and someone called out, "Julian!"

Turning on his heel, he found Flora trotting after him. Panic seized his heart. Panic, pain, and pure delight at seeing Flora's pretty face again. What was he going to do? How would he get out of this with at least some of his pride?

"Julian, where have you been?" Flora asked. "I've been looking for your at the cafe nearly every day."

"Ah, yeah, sorry, I've been...busy."

A small crease formed between her eyes. It was a lame, vague excuse. She deserved better than that. But he honestly had no idea what to say.

"I was worried you might be sick," Flora continued. "Or that you cut off your hand at work. I almost went to search the ER for you."

She laughed nervously. It was nothing like her real laugh. It was breathy and uncertain. What he wouldn't give to hear her real laugh again.

"No, no, my hands are both intact." Julian held them up as proof. "I've just been really...preoccupied."

"Oh. Well, as long as you're okay."

"Yep, yep, doing good. Just...swamped."

What the heck, was his brain on thesaurus mode or something?

"I've missed our little run-ins," Flora said, turning her eyes towards the ground.

"Yeah, yeah, sorry."

She looked sad. And disappointed. She really deserved better than this. She probably didn't even realize how he felt. It wasn't her fault that he had developed a crush on her. Granted, it wasn't his fault, either. He hadn't known that she was involved with someone else. It was all just a big mess of poor communication. And it was just going to get messier. But how could he let her know the reason for his sudden absence without giving away his feelings?

"Actually, I did see you a few weeks ago," Julian said. "I would've come over to chat, but you seemed to be in the middle of something. With someone. I didn't want to interrupt."

Flora's head listed slightly as her brow furrowed. Then, as if something suddenly dawned on her, her eyes lit up. A grin spread across her face, and before he knew it, she was laughing. Not a nervous, breathy laugh, either. Her deep, loud, genuine laugh.

He watched as she doubled over, barely able to breathe. What was so funny? Had she figured it out? Was his heartbreak really so humorous? Irritated with her lack of sensitivity, he dug his hands into his pockets and hunched his shoulders up. He was ready to turn around and continue on his way home. But before he could, Flora straightened up.

"I'm sorry," she said, holding her sides. "Really, I am. I'm not laughing at you. I swear. It's just. You thought...he and...oh man, this explains so much."

"Would you mind explaining?"

"Right, right, sorry." Her laughter ceased, but an amused grin remained on her face. "That guy you saw me with? His name is Michael. He's Tamia's boyfriend. Or was. I guess now he'd be her fiancé."

Julian barely registered the last bit that she had said. Two words were ringing in his head: Tamia's boyfriend.

Shaking his head, he leaned forward. "Sorry, uh, yeah. Wow. That's...that's...so is that why Tamia called you the other day?"

"Sort of. See, Tamia's last relationship kind of left her scarred. They were together for like five years. We really thought they were going to get married. And then he started acting weird. Distant. Secretive. Turns out he was cheating on her. She was heartbroken. Completely devastated. So when all of a sudden Michael started acting strange, Tamia whigged out. That's why she called me. She thought Michael was cheating on her. But then Michael called me and asked to meet up so he could explain things. When I found out he was going to propose to her, I was just so excited."

So that's why she had hugged him like that. Julian felt like an idiot. Why had he jumped to conclusions and tortured himself? He should've just sucked it up and talked to her.

"That...that explains a lot," Julian said, scratching the back of his neck.

A sly smile tugged at the corners of Flora's mouth. "Don't get me wrong, Michael's a great guy, but he's really not my type."

Julian's hand froze, and he stared wide-eyed at Flora.

"I'm more into guys who are tall, pale, skinny. Guys who know how to cook and have a ridiculous sweet tooth. And who secretly love Taylor Swift. And send cards to sick cats. And who love their sisters unconditionally." She peered up at him, her eyes crinkling as her smile grew. "The type of guy I could sit with for hours in a coffee shop."

It wasn't until his lungs began to ache that Julian realized he was holding his breath. As he finally released it, he blurted out, "I like you, Flora." Taking a fresh breath, he smiled. "I like you a lot. And I'd really like to spend more time with you. Like, outside of the cafe? I would love to take you to a movie or out to dinner. Or cook for you. Let me show off my skills."

Flora laughed, and it made Julian's heart skip a beat. It was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard.

And she was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.

"I'd love that," she said. "Actually, I mean, if this is too weird just say so, but Jayda is throwing an engagement party for Tamia and Michael, and I've sorta been telling her about you. A lot. And if I don't let her meet you soon, she says she's going to stalk you at the diner, so maybe, if you'd like, you could come to the party? I mean, if it's too soon—"

"I'd love to."

Flora smiled again, and the sight warmed every inch of Julian's body. They gazed at each other for a long moment. She was so close. He could reach out and brush her cheek with his hand. He wanted to. He wanted to touch her. He wanted to hold her hand. And as his eyes wandered over her lovely face and settled on her lips, he realized how much he wanted to brush his own lips against them.

"I really want to kiss you," he said. "But I have bad coffee breath. Really bad coffee breath. I've been going to Mickey's and they burn everything there, and I just drank—"

Without letting him finish his thought, Flora took his face in her hands and pulled it down towards herself, catching his lips with her own. It was sweeter than any latte he had ever tasted, and it gave him a rush that no amount of espresso could. Much like Flora's laugh, the kiss was fearless and without restraint. Julian found himself melting into her touch, losing himself in this perfect moment.

When she pulled away, it was too soon. But Julian suspected that no amount of time with her could be enough. He opened his eyes to find her face only inches from his own. She looked just as pleased with the kiss as he did.

"Coffee?" he asked, still breathless from the most delectable kiss in the history of kisses.

Flora smiled. "Coffee is always a good idea."

They turned back to the cafe, and as they made their way inside, Julian casually reached out for Flora's hand. "I was thinking pumpkin lattes?"

She laced her fingers through his. "With extra whipped cream?"

Grinning, Julian pushed the door open and was welcomed by the scent of freshly brewed coffee. "Sounds perfect."