Cup of Roasted Coffee

14; boo & hun

"You're going where?" Emma looked up from her work at the coffee counter, her hair tied in the messiest of ponytails and her expression showing a bit of disappointment.

"A business trip to Michigan? It's only for a week, I promise," Paul explained. When they first met, he had completely forgotten about the planned event. Bill had signed up back then, too. So the group would be down two members. Two of the most responsible members, actually. Oh boy. "We leave tomorrow. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner-"

"Paul," Emma laughed softly, finishing up his regular order. "I'm not mad, don't worry. You better text me though." His drink was pushed towards him and a tiny smile appeared on her face. Despite her hectic appearance, she was more put together than usual. She could easily say she had her shit together. He was impressed with her. Then again, he normally was.

"I can't imagine not." He took a sip of coffee, breaking eye contact for a moment to enjoy it. It was during this split second that it occurred to him that the small shop was empty. "No customers today?"

She shook her head. "Nora doesn't trust this place to be open without her in town. You're not the only one leaving."

"If the shop isn't supposed to be open then why are you here...?"

She mused over the question for some time. "Some things are worth it." He remembered saying that when she let him in early a while back. It felt like forever ago. He was kinda glad she remembered it, too. "I'll be here all day working on stuff if you want to drop by though."

"The overaged assholes and I wouldn't miss it for the world." Paul raised his cup, expecting the regular send-off they always did, but her face fell. She opened her mouth to say something yet nothing could come out. "Em? Is everything...ok?"

She nodded. "Yea- I was meaning to ask you something actually." She didn't continue so he assumed she was waiting on him to say something first.

"Anything," he gave her a comforting smile. It was pretty obvious she was at least somewhat nervous.

"Before you go, I just wanted to know...are we, like, official? Or, I don't know, can we be?" She internally cursed herself out for sounding so cliche and awkward. She watched intently as the smile on Paul's face turned into one of the widest grins she'd ever seen. He leaned over the counter and kissed her quickly.

"I'd love that."

Bill and Paul had left at 5 am the next morning to catch their flight at the Clivesdale Airport. While Emma couldn't make it, she had texted him the night before to wish him a safe flight. At 8 am, when she woke up, Melissa had shot her a text.

mellyfaith -> emmaperk
Ted and I are alone in the office again. Bring Charlotte and the switch?

mellyfaith -> emmaperk
Maybe breakfast, too

mellyfaith -> emmaperk
I'll pay you back

emmaperk -> mellyfaith
What do you want?

mellyfaith -> emmaperk
Surprise me

Emma made sure it was alright to pick up Charlotte(who was enthusiastic about the whole thing) and forced herself out of bed. Professor Hidgens would let her skip her daily duties for the day for his own reasons so she didn't have to worry about that at least. Getting showered and picking out clothes was just so much work.

However, she surprised herself and did close to a full face of makeup. She would happily admit that she looked damn good. The look finished with jeans, a tank top, and a jacket. It wasn't the classiest but it was fine. They were going to eat off the McDonald's breakfast menu in office cubicles anyways.