Reminding You

1. The Usual

"The usual, please. But I'll take it here."

"What's your usual?"

Her soft voice breaks through the fog of my response to an impossible email at an even more impossible time. It's six in the morning. I look up from my phone. Damn. She's beautiful. Must be a new employee.

"Sorry, we don't serve anything called 'damn' but if you have any suggestions for future drinks, the tip jars are over there." Her tone is light and friendly as she points to the end of the espresso bar where two tip jars sit next to each other. One contains a few dollars and the other is half filled with folded pieces of paper.

My hand finds my face in shame while my eyes squint, "I said that aloud didn't I?"

"The better question is: Did you just say 'aloud' instead of out loud?" I open my eyes as my hand falls. "Ten points to," she pauses, leaning over the counter to allow her an unbroken gaze across my penny loafers, dark denim jeans, white dress shirt, and tie. Our gazes meet as she resumes, "Slytherin."

My mouth falls open and I place my hand over my heart in offense. "Excuse me?"

"You seem sketchy." Someone coughs and I turn to see a middle aged man, clearly not amused that our conversation is prolonging his wait for caffeine. "Sorry, sir. What can I get you?" He orders over my shoulder and bumps past me to pay. I step to the side and watch her take his payment and make some latte drink with foam art on the top. She has an endless smile on her face and her shiny raven hair sways softly as she slides him the steaming cup. A bell dings, sounding his exit into the lounge area. She turns back to me, "So Malfoy, what'll it be?"

I narrow my eyes, "What makes you think I'm in Slytherin?"

"What are you getting?"

I exhale, accepting defeat. "Double espresso."

"Exactly," she laughs, making mine in half the time those fancy ones take. I'm about to grab the coffee when she suddenly pulls it back to her and gently blows on the top. My eyebrows furrow in confusion as she speaks. "Sorry, there's a fleck of paint in there," she blushes. "I didn't mean to blow your- um, sorry. I'll get you a new one," she shakes her head in embarrassment and moves quickly to set it down.

Too quickly. Some of the coffee tips over the edge and spills on her hand, leaving tiny black puddles on the counter. "Ah, fu-" she winces and grabs her hand.

"Shit, are you okay?" I take her hand in my own and trace the silky material of my tie over it, absorbing any residue. That's when I notice the back of her hand has a black and gold butterfly painted on it that's peeling at the edges. "Isn't that a health code violation or something?" I smile, trying to assure her and make light of the situation.

"Apparently, it's also a burn hazard," she grimaces. I laugh softly, dropping my tie.

"It's nice, though," I comment turning her hand in mine to watch the gold shimmer under the light.

"Thanks, can I have it back?" Now it's my turn to blush. I let go of her hand and look down at the seemingly innocent cup where I notice a dot of gold swirling around the top.

Carefully touching it with the tip of my finger, I remove the paint and smile up at her, "There. Now we're even." I wipe my index finger on my tie to soothe the subtle burning. "I'll see you tomorrow." I grab my drink and walk towards to exit, feeling much happier that I have something to look forward to early in the morning.

"I'll have your usual ready and waiting."

Thanks for reading! I'm new to this so suggestions and advice are more than welcome. Consider the comments to be my metaphorical tip jar.