Fall in Love in a Coffee Shop

Third Cup

Chase had finally decided. Today was the day. He was finally going to make Serenity his. He had gotten up early, hoping to be one of the first in line. Also, hoping to convince her to leave work early and go on a date with him. There was just something about her, he enjoyed spending time with her even though it was short amounts. During their chats, he had gotten to know her over the past few weeks. He also liked the fact that her two friends seemed to be trying to help in hooking them up. They would set her up to be jamming to music, to into it to notice that he was watching her. The way she would air band when she thought no customers were waiting or singing along to some of his personal favorites. The expressions on her face were by far his favorite part. The way her face would either light up to her favorite songs or even the way she would turn red as a tomato when she turned to see him watching her.

Making his way outside his apartment to the already busy streets of Chicago, Chase gazed up at the now dawning sky. He wore his uniform and a heavy jacket. It had been very tempting to call in today, but he wasn't that sort of person. Hurrying to his black Challenger, he revved up the engine and turned up the radio. Best way to wake up: Metal.

Pulling up to the small parking lot, Chase smiled as he took the last open spot. Something told him today was going to be life-changing. There was already a line in front of the door. People shivering from the cold but refused to wait in their cars. These people were eager to get their coffee and run. Glancing down at his watch as he bobbed to stay warm, 'Two more minutes.' he thought with a smile as his attention drew to the blonde bustling about with the register. She seemed frazzled. As she did most mornings just before opening. This was the time that he saw her at her most natural. No customers around, just her, her shop, music, and her two closest friends, who were also frazzled getting things set up for the day. He thought she looked beautiful, though something seemed a little different about her today. Then their eyes met as she made her way around the counter to unlock the doors. As usual, her face lit up like the sun, she didn't blush nearly as much since they had gotten closer. She always seemed the happiest when she saw him.

"Mornin' everyone! Come on in!" Serenity sing-songed as she opened the doors for everyone. Anyone who had been slightly grumpy seemed to soften to her cheery attitude. He was sure she could soften even the toughest brute with her starry eyes. As she held the door for him, being he was the last to enter, he placed his hand atop of hers on the handle.

"Good morning to you too, love." Chase purred softly leaning in close enough to smell the soft scent of her shampoo. The look she gave him was priceless, and he almost lost himself. Her large blue eyes gazed up at him, searching his eyes, her lips parted, and a tint of blush dusted her cheeks. Just a few moments later a gentle smile crossed her lips and she stepped to the side.

"I'm glad you came today." she laughed nervously, folding her hands in her apron. Before he had a chance to respond she skipped back behind the counter to start ringing up customers as Amaya began pumping out drinks like a well-oiled machine. A few people took their coffees to go, while others stayed and worked on laptops. Small groups met together for morning meetings. Amaya and Serenity cranked out drink after drink while Lily popped out more pasty pans. People loved hot, fresh baked goods. They sold faster than she could make them.

Chase sat at a small high-top table, waiting for the large rush to dissipate before he made his way up to order a drink for himself. Amaya noticed him making his move and took it as a sign to give the two their moment, "I'm gonna just go collect the bus station and clean up the tables." she winked at Chase as she headed around the counter, grabbing a cleaning rag as she went.

As he leaned on the counter, as he often liked to do, watching Serenity clean the massive espresso machine her uncle had imported from Italy. "What would ya like this mornin'?" she gazed over at him as she cleaned the steam wand. It had only been an hour but her hair was already coming loose and wisping around her face.

It took everything in him not to say 'you'. Biting his lip he glanced up at the menu, pretending to be deciding on a beverage and not the fact that he wanted to jump over the counter and bury his hands in her hair and kiss her senseless. "Hmm...surprise me." he decided finally. "Make me your favorite drink." his eyes left the menu and back to hers. As many times as he had come here recently, he never once asked.

Serenity tapped her finger on her cheek and pondered a moment. "That's a toughy." Moving over a couple of steps and grabbing a mug. This was her chance to do something special for him. As she frothed up some milk she put only a couple pumps of chocolate and coconut. She knew he didn't care for overly sweet stuff but he did ask for her favorite so she made a mild version. After adding two shots of espresso she mixed in the milk ever so carefully, topping it off with whipped cream, coconut flakes, and a chocolate drizzle shaped like a heart. Very gently she placed the mug on a saucer. Grabbing a napkin she wrote her number down and placed it on the side of the tiny plate. Then carefully made her way over to him.

Smiling boldly she placed the drink in front of Chase, "Here ya go! My personal favorite, Almond Joy." Clasping her hands behind her as she watched him bring the drink up to his smirking lips. Her heart pounded as he took a long gulp, savoring the taste. She felt like she was going to burst at the seams. Her hands fiddled with her apron strings until he finally spoke.

"Not too shabby." Chase took another drink, he wasn't a fan of super sweet things, but she made this very light. "I never would have guessed you would be a fan of coconut." He glanced up at her with a curious look, "I'm not personally a fan, but this is really good. Not too overly sweet."

Stopping with her fumbling, she nodded, "Well, you don't normally get sweet drinks so...I cut back on the syrup." She rocked back on her heels, she paid attention to her guests more than she let on. Especially him. "Coconut is amazing..." she smiled as a group of teenagers walked in. "Oh, I've gotta go! Talk to you later!!" she took another bold move, which made every inch of her body heat up: She let her hand gently rub against his shoulder as she walked past, patting in a 'see-you-later' kind of way.

Chase couldn't help but turn with her as she left, her tiny hands grazing his skin. She wasn't the only one to feel a rush of heat. He turned back to his drink, noticing the numbers. The smile on his face grew even wider. Pulling out his phone he input her number, he would give it some time before he sent her a text. Noting the time, he finished his coffee and went to leave. He gave her a farewell and headed off to work.

~*edited*~