Jorge came back a few more times in the next two weeks. Ian was fine with it, it was good business but he felt the request for notes starting to weighing on him.
Still, inspiration would hit when he thinks of Selene, just that he was starting to get annoyed that he was writing this for Jorge's mystery girl.
After one particularly tough day, Selene dropped by and picked up on his mood. "What happened?"
"Some difficult customers created a scene earlier. Put off some patrons," he explained.
"Oh. That sucks."
"Yeah, well... what are you having today? Your usual?"
She smiled. "Yes to my flat white, but maybe some new pastry. What's the best one here?"
Ian recommended the cheesecake, a personal favorite. When she was paid, she took her flat white, but the cheesecake she handed back. "This is for you. I hope it cheers you up."
When Jorge asked for a note the following day, Ian wrote, "Thank you for making me smile."
"But... she just passed by my desk yesterday?"
"Okay, but didn't that make you smile?"
Jorge agreed and signed the card.
Another time, Jorge couldn't tell him anything new so Ian just put, "For you - the bright spot in my every day."
*
"At the Corner Cafe and Flower Shop. How may I help you?"
Ian listened to the woman who was looking for lilies for her mother.
"Yes, I can make one for you. When is this needed?" He was getting the details from the woman when Selene walked in. "I, uh, sorry... I didn't catch that. Would you kindly repeat?"
As soon as he was done, he walked over to the counter. She had placed and paid for her order so she was now waiting at the take out.
"Hey! You look different today," he commented. He was used to seeing her in sweats or her office attire, but now she was in a boat neck, long sleeved, pencil cut dress that fell to above her knee and hugged her curves perfectly. Her makeup was also heavier than usual.
But, she was just as stunning.
"I have a date."
"Oh. I didn't know you were seeing anyone," Ian said, jabbing the buttons of the cash register a little too hard that made the other baristas look. "You don't come in here with him."
"No, no. This guy is a colleague. I... he's nice but I never saw him as more than a work person... but lately... I don't know. I just wanted to see if it's anything, you know? Anyway, we decided to meet up here because it's halfway."
He nodded, then proceeded to fix her order. He wanted to ask why she was having coffee right before her date, but someone called her.
They both turned to find Jorge. He took Selene, but before they went out, Jorge headed back to whisper to Ian. "Thanks, Dude. She finally agreed to go out for dinner."
"Congrats."
Ian rubbed his temple and watched them go.
He was able to send her his messages after all.
