Over A Cup Of Coffee

First day

There he is.

Mason Taylor.

The nightmare of my past just walked in.

He looks exactly the same as he did five years ago.

His six-foot frame rippled as he walked with muscles that were clearly more developed than they were in high school. He flashed a playful smile as soon as he crossed the threshold. That crooked smile of his complimented the mischievous twinkle in his blue eyes. The lighting here made them dark, but nevertheless they sparkled impishly. He wore his hair short on the sides, long on the top, and parted to the side; a typical player hair-cut.

I catch myself staring at his beauty and I scold myself. I can't believe he still impacts me this way. I quickly duck behind the espresso machine so those shimmering blue eyes won't land on me. My heart was pounding in my chest and suddenly I feel the blood rise to my cheeks.

"Are you okay?" Lindsey, my boss, asks me.

Before I can respond, my best friend, Lina responds for me. "She's fine," she laughs. "She's just being a spaz because that gorgeous man over there is her ex." Lina and I have been friends since kindergarten and she is practically my sister. She started working here right out of high school to help pay for her schooling so she's got some pull with the owner. She got me this job so I'm super grateful, but I wanted to kill her right now! No one needed to know that!

"Shut up Lina!" I hissed. "He is not my ex," I grumble that last part as I peek around to see where he went.

"He may as well be." She scoffs as she drizzles chocolate on the drink she's working on.

"Well, I'm sorry Kat, but you're up front today. If he comes over here, you'll have to take his order. You haven't learned to mix drinks yet and we can't afford to get behind to let Lina do it." Lindsey says while shaking her head.

"It's okay," I sighed. "If he comes here, I'd have to talk to him sooner or later."

"That's the spirit!" Lindsey laughs and I slowly die inside.

Well, if he sees me, screw it. I don't care. Taking a deep breath, I square my shoulders and go about my job as if his presence had no effect on me.

Mason is with a woman I recognize as Elaine Michaels. Whilst I was hiding, they had sat down at a table by the window. Mason's hands were wrapped around hers across the table. Must be his girlfriend yet again.

A tinge of jealousy bit into my gut as I stared at them. He always chose Elaine. They were together in high school for our junior and senior years. One day they were together, the next they weren't. Mason never could be tied down by one girl. Maybe things are different now? I roll my eyes at the thought. As if Mason could change.

Just then, he stands up and begins walking to the register. I fidget nervously but hold my ground. His eyes finally meet mine and...

"Hi, uh, can I have two non-fat lattes' with caramel drizzle on both. I'd also like a chocolate croissant and a blueberry muffin." Mason's voice rang out deep and smooth as he ordered. I practically swooned at the sound of it. He barely looked at me before fishing his wallet out of the back pocket of his jeans. He doesn't seem to recognize me and I find myself a little disappointed. How could he not recognize me? I wear contacts now and I've been braces free since graduation but I haven't changed that much have I?

"Um, okay. Your total is $12.94." My voice betrays me as it cracks but he doesn't seem to pay it any mind. He digs through his wallet and with no hesitation, he hands me a one hundred dollar bill. Not being able to help myself, I roll my eyes. He always had a knack for flaunting his money and buying himself out of less than ideal situations. I thought back to our high school days when flashing hundred dollar bills was way cool. A little excessive, but we were kids back then.