𝚌𝚘𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚙 ✯ 𝚙.𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚛

six; on the house

peter;

The familiar sound of the bell above the door rang and peter looked up, hoping that he would see her again, see Ingrid again. She hadn't been here in a week and he felt sort of empty inside. She made his dull working days better with her shining eyes and bright smile. The hope disappeared as he saw a brown haired man in his forties walk through the door, holding his daughters hand as they walked towards him.

"Hello, she'll have a small hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream, and i'll have a cappuccino, thanks." Peter nodded as the man told him his order, mind still focusing on Ingrid and where she might be. As he turned around to make the man's order the bell above the door rang again. He didn't bother to turn around and look this time, she was not coming today either.

"Good afternoon Peter." He herd the familiar soft say behind him. His eyes got wide as he turned around. She stood there, smiling kindly at him. A happy smile broke out on Peter's face. "You look extraordinary happy to see me" She laughed and Peter's cheeks flushed a rosy color.

"Hi Ingrid, How've you been?" He asked, leaning over the counter, completely forgetting the coffee he was brewing behind.  He looked into her green eyes with a dreamy smile on his lips. The machine started beeping behind him but he didn't notice, he was way to focused on Ingrid.

"I haven't been so good," She started. "I have been really sick. But now i'm fine." She smiled at him. "Shouldn't you be getting that?" She asked and pointed behind him.

"What...Oh shít" he cursed as he saw the blinking machine, a blush creeping up on his cheeks. Ingrid giggled and looked at him as he quickly shut it of. "That was a close one" Peter sighed and poured the cappuccino in a dark blue mug. He started making the hot chocolate as he and Ingrid continued to chat. "A cappuccino and hot chocolate" He said and put the drinks on a tray. The little girl went towards the counter and Ingrid bent down to her.

"Do you need help to get it down?" She asked and the girl nodded shyly. Ingrid grabbed the tray and handed it to her, smiling warmly. "Be careful love, off you go." She said and patted her curly brown hair softly. The girl happily said thanked and walked away slowly, careful not to spill the drinks. "Now to my order-"

"I'm on it!" Peter smiled. "With or without that extra shop of espresso?"

"Without please." She smiled and Peter started making her gingerbread latte. She handed him her takeaway cup and Peter poured the latte in it, putting the lid on afterwards. "Six dollars is it?"

"It's on the house." Peter interrupted with a smile. He saw that she was about to protest so he quickly butted in. "I insist" Ingrid smiled warmly at him.

"Well, then i'll have to say thank you, Peter" She smiled and took a sip from her mug. "Delicious as always." She smiled. "Thank you again Peter, I'll see you tomorrow." She smiled and walked towards the door. "Bye bye, take care."

"Bye Ingrid, you too." He waved and Ingrid walked out the door, leaving Peter with an acing heart once again.

☕️