Rescue Me

Rescue Me | Chapter two

It had been a grueling week and Andrea had successfully added three failed auditions to her belt. But it was a beautiful Sunday morning and she wasn't going to let anything ruin her day.

The door to the coffee shop had been unlocked less than ten minutes when she heard the bell chime. She glanced down to ensure her apron was smooth and adjusted her name tag.

She walked around the corner towards the front, fake smile plastered to her face, "Good morning, welcome to Double Shot," she started, but stopped in her tracks as she saw him.

Jared waved shyly as she approached the counter, his eyes sparkled brightly, "Hello, Andie. Good to see you again." With a nod, he motioned "This is my brother Shannon."

She took a deep breath and rubbed her hands down her sides and smiled back.

"Hey, Jared"

"Hello, Shannon, nice to meet you. What can I get for you?"

"Oh, so you're the girl he hasn't shut up about!" Shannon smirked. Jared lightly punched him in the side causing Shannon to laugh.

"You know what's funny Andrea? My brother is a tea drinker. But for the last week he has developed an interest in my coffee habits. He has tagged along with me each morning to see where I get coffee. I knew he was up to something so I've been going to a new place each morning just to mess with him." He laughed and scratched his chin, "It all makes sense now" he bemused and cut his eyes at Jared with a smirk.

Andrea glanced at Jared to see he was gauging  her reaction to Shannon's epiphany. She looked back to Shannon whose gaze was bouncing between the two of them.

Her tone oozed sarcasm as she spoke, "Are you stalking me?"

"No," he chuckled, "You mentioned you work for a doctor and at a coffee shop the other day when we spoke."

Andrea glared at him playfully "Mmhmm. What would you like to drink, Shannon?"

"What do you recommend?"

"My favorite is our chicory blend with one turbinado sugar and almond milk."

"Sold! I'll take the largest cup you have please." He said wiggling his eyes. Andrea giggled at his excitement "Coming right up. Anything for you Jared?"

"Do you have any tea?" He inquired with a playful expression to which all three erupted in laughter.

"I have Twinnings Earl Grey and English breakfast. As well as green tea matcha with lemon grass. Pick your poison."

Jared licked his lips and stood there staring at her for a moment.

"Earth to Jared! Dude, it's not nice to stare. C'mon, Bro, I know mom taught you that."

"Tea" Jared blurted. Embarrassed having already said that. "I'll have the earl grey with honey if you have it, please." He cut his eyes to his older brother and glared at him before walking across the room to sit down in a cozy booth near the back wall.

Shannon perched himself on a stool at the counter, "I love the aesthetic here. The exposed brick and the industrial lighting. It's rad." He stated in attempt at small talk while Andrea prepared their order.

"Yeah, me too."

"How long have you worked here? Are you from here?"

"No, I'm a southern transplant. I've worked here for five months, but only part-time. I'm surprised your brother Sherlock over there didn't tell you that I also work for a private practice physician when I'm not here."