Wrong Name? (A One-Shot)

Wrong Name?

The café smelt like home, ginger spice, and warm milk. It was no surprise that I'd go there daily. The cute barista placing the cup into my hands, her slender fingers as soft as I imagined. I've talked to her for months now and she's a little bit of an airhead, but I can't help find it adorable. The only problem is, she's been saying my name wrong since the first day I came in, and at this point, I don't know how to tell her.

I grabbed the cup and noticed the familiar scrawl of 'Nick' written on the side, only my name is Nate. I only sighed and smiled at the barista, Harlow was her name. Her smile was captivating and a few of her cocoa-colored strands of hair fell around her face. The way she'd bite her lip when she'd be focusing so hard on a drink, or the way her nose would scrunch up a tad bit if milk splashed onto her, God, she was perfect.

Tonight, I'd ask her on a date. Nothing big, just a simple dinner and a walk through downtown. I'd explain my actual name to her and watch as the familiar blush crept over her tan and freckled cheeks.

 "Harlow. Would you go to dinner with me?" I ran a hand through my hair and looked down, ready for rejection. 

"Sure! Pick me up at six?" She beamed, her eyes bright and happy. I nodded and headed out, biting my lip to hide a grin. I had two hours to get ready and pick out a flower for her. Do people still do that on dates? Was this a date? I hope so. 

Two hours later and I'm standing at the door to the coffee shop. Harlow tapped on my shoulder and she grinned. She's dressed in a navy blue dress that stops above the knees, black scrappy heels and a white sweater thrown over her shoulder. 

"Nick?" Her voice snaps me out of my daze and I clear my throat. 

"S-sorry, you just look really nice." I offer her my hand and she takes it with ease, her skin is exactly how I thought it would be, soft and warm, perfect. I took the flower out of my jacket and handed it over to her. It was a rose as red as her eyes and it matched her tanned skin perfectly. She smiled shyly and took the rose, breathing in its scent while leaning against my arm while we walked.

I stopped after a few blocks of walking and she looked up at the sign of the pizza place she told me so loved so much a month ago. Her eyes lit up and she grinned, practically dragging me into the parlor. She sat us down at one of the booths and ordered us a large cheese pizza and two sodas.

 "So," I shifted and let out an embarrassed chuckle. "My uh, name isn't Nick. It's Nate."

 I looked up and her cheeks were burning, eyes wide. "I...had it wrong this whole time?" She squeaked, eyes still wide, staring at me. 

I nodded with a sheepish smile and reached out, taking her small hand into my much larger one. "Yes, but it's okay. You wanna know why?" I paused, looking away then back to her and she nodded. "Because for months, I have thought you were the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on. I couldn't bear to correct you that first day because your smile took my words away, and it continues to do so today. Also, I've always liked you." I smirked and she blushed, biting her lip, trying to hide her grin. 

"I too you- I mean, I like you too." She squeaked, blushing harder. I chuckled and leaned across the small table and planted a kiss on her forehead.

For the rest of the date, we enjoyed good pizza and the fresh air of the park. The rose was tucked into her brown waves that turned ginger in the setting sun. We stopped in front of her building, her shoulders draped with my jacket in order to stay warm. We stopped just a few inches apart.

"Well...this is my place." Harlow whispered, her eyes darting from her feet then back up to my own eyes. "Thank you." She smiled shyly and stood up onto her tiptoes, her arms slowly snaking around my neck. I could feel the heat of her breath on my lips and I wrapped my arms around her tiny waist to close the space. The kiss was brief but it was firm and a spark passed in that moment. She pulled away, a smile stretching across her face. She slipped out of my arms and squeezed my hand. "Goodnight, Nate." She grinned and walked into her building.

"She got my name right." I whispered, smiling to myself.