Get a Grip

I

"I do have to recommend the Double Chocolate Mocha Cappuccino, it's burns your tongue though so I suggest also putting some ice in it," I said, a fake smile sliding across my face. The middle aged lady with maroon hair standing in front of me nodded, and narrowed her eyes.

"Maybe I'll try that then," she said, reaching into her purse that was resting on her hip. I told her the price, and told her it would only take a few moments.

I worked at a place that was owned by my brother: Q's Café. The name only made sense because both of our names started with a q.

The name Q had a ring to it, however, and that's what I preferred to be called.

He didn't mind being called Quincy. He was also just older by now, in his mid-thirties. He told me all the time that it was childish of me to still go by Q at the age of 23, but I honestly didn't see an issue.

I finished making the lady's cappuccino, and handed it out to her with a warm smile. The cup made my hands warm. She returned the gesture, and went on her way. I looked down at my watch.

Only ten more minutes.

I felt a small pressure on my shoulder. I turned around to see Quincy, he smiled at me.

"How's your shift going, bud?"

"Boring. And long. You ask me this everyday," I said, chuckling slightly. He smiled at me with his big toothy gums.

"I know, just being annoying because you love it."

"Right," I said unenthusiastically.

He told me to start wiping things down before I headed out, so I got to it because I had nothing better to do.

I began to think about where I would go to eat after my shift. I was really feeling pizza, but pizza around here was expensive.

I heard the bell on the door jingle, and looked up to see who had entered.

The girl took off her sun glasses, and hooked them to the front of her shirt.

The first I noticed was her eyes.

Those damn eyes.

I could see her long natural eyelashes from where I was standing. Her brown hair was in natural waves at her shoulders, and blew as the wind entered the store. She was wearing a green coat, and a pair of dark denims.

She looked to be in her early 20s which was great for me.

She was an extremely attractive human being. The way her jaw bone was shaped, and how her cheekbones were high. Her lips were curved upwards perfectly.

"Hi," I greeted her. She smiled at me. Her teeth were perfectly aligned.

Maybe from braces?

As she had gotten closer I noticed she had a name tag.

Olive H. What's her last name?

"Hi," she replied finally. I gave her a moment to browse the menu. It gave me time to analyze her face.

No ounce of a flaw, her skin was gorgeous and soft.

Im sure guys fall at your feet, Olive H. You're stunning.

"I'm feeling an iced coffee today," she said, her eyebrows furrowed, questioning herself.

Don't hurt your brain too much, Dear.

"Okay," I said. "Would you like caramel or vanilla?"

"Hm, Vanilla."

I nodded at her, a smile spreading across my lips.

I enjoy vanilla too, Olive H.

I heard her sigh, and take out her wallet.

Attitude, perhaps?

"It's been a long day," she mustered.

She seems to be one of the talkers. I like it. I'm sorry your day was rough, however. You deserve better.

"How so?" I asked her, grabbing a clear cup from beside the register and walking to the coffee machine.

"My boss kinda has been getting on me lately," she said. "But I get it, I've been kind of slacking."

"Oh really. Where do you work?"

I filled the cup with some ice from the ice machine, and stirred it around to make the coffee slightly colder.

"The library."

Hm, you're into books? You don't seem like that type of girl.

"Books, huh?"

"Ha, yeah," she said, averting her eyes sarcastically. "Believe it or not, reading is something I really like doing."

I nodded, the smile still plastered onto my face. I added some creamer and sugars, and placed a lid on top. I shook the coffee around some more to stir the sugar and creamer better.

I walked back to the register where I was far to face with her again. Her brown orbs stared back at me.

It was such a simple gesture, but it made me feel high off the ground.

"Three-fifty," I finally said. She reached into her wallet and pulled out her credit card.

Perfect.

As I swiped her card, her last name appeared: Hearings. I slid her coffee to her, and handed her back her card.

"You have a great rest of your day, Olive."

She seemed slightly taken off guard, but she smiled.

"You too..."

"Quin. But, Q is what people call me."

"Q," she said. "Hm, I like it. But you too."

And just like that, she had left. I watched her all the way until her car.

A silver 1999 Lexus LS. Dad's car, maybe?

I jumped as Quincy slapped his hand on my shoulder. "It's that time of day, bro. You're good to go."

I dried my hands off with the brown rag to the right of me, and looked back outside as the Lexus pulled away and disappeared behind a building as it turned right.

I used the register computer to clock-out, and walked to the back of the store to grab my coat.

I took off my brown apron and my hat and set it next to Quincy's tote. I ran my fingers through my caramel hair.

Q, bud, you don't have a chance.