Crossing Paths

Three

The next evening the coffee shop was packed. People stood in groups, waiting in line to get their daily fix at The Fix, kinda made me chuckle to myself thinking about it. Bailey handled the register yelling out orders, while Chloe and I rushed to fill them. Even Macie came back in later in the afternoon to make more goodies for the display case.

"You weren't joking about being busy." Blowing a piece of hair from my eyes that pulled loose from my pony tail during all the chaos.

It just hit 7 o'clock and the rush finally ended. For the first time all day we were finally able to catch our breath. "I told you. The closer to the semester starting, the more people we get." Bailey smiled, resting her hip against the counter shrugging casually.

"It'll only be this way for about a month. Then it all just kinda evens out," Chloe added, grabbing a rag to wipe up some coffee she spilled. "We'll stay busy, just not over-whelming busy." I nodded, thankful I'd worn my converse today.

"Well ladies," Bailey turned looking at the mess on the back counter. "I hate leaving you two to clean up this mess alone, but, I have a date." She untied her apron, rolling it up before shoving it under the counter.

"Is it the same guy from last week?" Chloe asked grabbing some dishes to take back to the dish washer. "I don't remember his name." She paused, arms full, head falling back to look at the ceiling.

"Mark, his name is Mark. And yes it's the same guy." She blushed shyly.

"Huh, two dates. Things must be getting serious." Chloe teased backing through the doorway.

Rolling her eyes, "She loves giving me a hard time." Bailey groaned motioning with her thumb to the doorway.

"I hope you have a good time." I smiled, returning my attention to the mess behind me.

"Thanks Rylan." She called over her shoulder before disappearing into the back.

It took us about thirty minutes to get the place back in order. Since the steady flow of customers finally stopped, Chloe used the opportunity to take a short break. I was resting against the back counter while stealing glances at an older couple sitting sweetly together, when I heard the tiny bell jingle. Glancing at the door, I watched Ryder walk in slowly searching over the room before our eyes met.

"I heard the coffee's good, but the service in this place sucks." He smiled playfully coming to lean on the counter in front of me.

Trying my hardest to keep a straight face, "We reserve the right to not serve hostile customers." Giving him my best glare.

His beautiful eyes widened. "Calm down gun powder, I was only joking."

Unable to hold in my laugh, "Kidding." I squeaked out between laughing hysterically and catching my breath. His face really was priceless. "What are you up to tonight?" Asking after catching my breath.

Shrugging, he searched the menu behind me. "I thought about asking a friend to grab something to eat." His eyes gliding to me. "But, I think she might be in a mood."

"I see your stalkers back." Chloe breezed by grabbing more dishes to take to the back.

"Nice to see you again too, Chloe." His brow furrowed at me, asking silently if he'd gotten her name right. I nodded before peeking over my shoulder to see her reaction.

"You too, stalker-Ryder."

"She's rough." He whispered once she disappeared through the door.

"Only until you get to know her," I assured him. "Were you ordering something?"

"Depends."

"On?"