Coffee shop romance (Josh Balz/OC)

Books and Balz

"In here is where we keep any books that are considered rare or, books that people might keep as part of a collection" I started, walking Danni into a small room in the back of the shop. "Dave keeps them in here because they are sold online to serious collectors who bid on them, payed online and arrange a time to collect them from us. Most of the books here are priceless, so we lock the door for security."

Danni stepped further into the room, moving slowly along one of the bookshelves, running her fingers along the spines gently. "There are some awesome books in here" she muttered and I just nodded in response. Her fingers lingered slightly on each book but she didn't even reach the end of the shelf before the company phone rung making her jump.

"Can you grab that for me please, Danni?" I asked and she nodded politely before making her way back into the main room of the shop where the phone was. Locking the door on my way out, I made my was slowly to check Danni was okay.

Danni looked up at me and smiled before ending the call politely. She handed the piece of paper to me which read:

Mr. K. Argyle. 2.50pm. Ref 1286300.

"He said he was flying out of town for a week and wanted to reschedule his appointment for today because he needed the book ASAP."

I nodded and walked into the back room and sat down, my heart sinking. I pulled out my phone and text Josh asking if he would be okay to reschedule our coffee date. These collectors are thorough when they buy books from us, there is no way I'd be out by three. After just a few minutes of waiting for a reply I placed my phone in my pocket and walked back out to the main room.

"Hey, Danni, it's almost lunch, you're quite welcome to head home if you want, you're only scheduled for the morning anyway" I say.

"Sure! Thanks for today, Toni, for a first day at a new job, it was good" she said whilst grabbing her jacket and bag and heading for the door.

"Have a great evening!" I called, not waiting for a reply I headed for the back room and unlocking the door. This place is always really organised so it didn't take long to locate the book. I checked the logbook for information to confirm it had been paid for and was ready to be collected. Book in hand I sat down at the front desk, silently running through what I should say when I see Josh. Not even ten minutes after sitting down, I placed my headphones in my ears and got comfortable in the chair.

The front door clicked shut, making me jump and snatching me from my thoughts. "Hello there, Mr Argyle?" I asked politely, sneaking a look at the clock, I'd been sat here for nearly two and a half hours! Oops!

"Just Kurt is good" he answered, pulling off one of his gloves and holding it out to me to shake.

"Nice to meet you, Kurt" I shook his cold hand and gave him a warm smile before continuing "My name is Toni, and I do believe this is your book?".

"It is indeed" he replied, his eyes scanning the book, seemingly in awe. From his pocket, he produced some paperwork and a passport. Putting the book down I took the papers, online auction win confirmation, details of the completed transaction and his passport, as proof that he was who he said he was. I placed the book into a bag and put it on the counter, laying the papers on top.

"Thankyou, Toni, for arranging this for me at such short notice" he smiled once more and held his hand out to me, which I gladly shook.

"You are quite welcome, Kurt, enjoy the book and your holiday!" I called as he was walking out.

My eyes immediately flicked to the clock, 2.55pm. Thank God Kurt was in a rush, I ran out to the back room to grab my stuff and I was ready and the shop was locked up in a matter of minutes!

I checked my phone again, finding no reply, I continued the journey to the coffee shop.  Seeing the coffee shop, I stopped for a moment, smoothed down my hair and gained my composure, only to lose it again as my phone buzzed.

"Its okay, I'll wait! I'll see you when you get here! xx" - Josh

Staring through the window, I moved closer to the shop, trying to pinpoint Josh before I entered. It didn't take long, in his strange but adorable choice of black clothing, he stood out like a sore thumb. As I entered the coffee shop, I noticed he was talking to someone who was dressed very similarly but taller and with long black hair.

Josh's eyes met mine and his attention immediately directed at me. He said something to his friend who then replied and began walking over to me. As nervous as in was, the man offered me his hand and I shook it politely.

"Hi, I'm Ryan, a friend if Josh's. I'm off now but it's nice to put a face to the name!" He smiled at me and left before I could find appropriate words to reply with.

Dwelling on little things like that usually bugged me, and it probably would later, but right now, MY DATE WITH JOSH!! I smiled to myself and walked towards the table he was stood by.

"Hi, Toni!" He half whispered and hugged me. Those few seconds warmed me through better than any hot coffee ever would, he was perfect.