Ignited ✔️

1:4

The bell dinging on the door to the coffee shop catches my attention. We hadn't been very busy today seeing as it was Wednesday. I quickly tie up my hair and step out of the back room as I'm tying my apron around my waist.

"Hello welcome to the coffee house. What can I get you today?"

I glance up at the customer and am met with a set of familiar hazel eyes.

"Hey princess" he says with that smirk still plastered on his face.

"Um hi"

His lip piercing shines under the bright lighting and I can't help but stare as he brings it between his teeth. I study his face a bit more and notice that the nose ring is gone, and he has a hair cut. It's not as shaggy as it was before and it only goes to his eyebrows now.

Why do I know that?

I've only met the guy once. Heck I don't even know his name.

"Double shot espresso with two chocolate pumps"

I nod and grab a cup as I start making his coffee.

"No nose ring?" I ask after a few minutes of silence.

He chuckles at me.

"You noticed huh?"

I nod my head as I pump two squirts of chocolate into his cup.

"So you're smart and observant princess"

I sneak a look at him to catch his smirk deepen. His hand goes up to play with his lip ring and that's when I notice the black ring on his thumb and the tattoo of a diamond on his hand.

"Did it hurt?"

"Did what hurt?"

"The piercings"

He shrugs nonchalantly.

"Not really. Feels like you bit your lip."

I finish up his coffee and place the lid on it before handing it to him.

"That'll be three dollars"

He pulls a ten out of his pocket and hands it to me.

"Keep the change" he says with a wink.

I felt my cheeks heat up slightly as I grab the ten.

"Unfortunately we're not allowed to accept tips here at the coffee house" I blurt

"That's bullshit"

I stifle a laugh at his expression.

"Well Fine if I can't give the beautiful barista a tip for doing a damn good job then I'll have to figure out another way"

"Another way for what?" I ask my curiosity getting the better of me

"Don't worry about it princess" he says as he heads towards the door.

He opens it to leave and the bell jingles again.

"Oh and by the way, you look cute in an apron" he says before he leaves.

My cheeks flame and I couldn't help the smile on my face. I glance down at my hand to see that I'm holding on to his change still.

There's something about him that intrigues me. I couldn't help but want to see him again. I wanted to figure him out.

I could always give him his change back...

**

I was exhausted by time I stepped into my house that night. Jenna had come down with something so I had to pull a double to cover her shift.

I quietly sneak in to my bedroom and kick off my shoes before putting my purse down and throwing myself in my bed with a groan. I reach over to turn my lamp off not even bothering to change my clothes.

Not even ten minutes later my phone notifies me of a text message. I pull out my phone and glance at my screen.

Reed: Baby how many times do I have to say I'm sorry?

Reed: We really need to talk about what happened Emery.

I roll my eyes before responding to him.

There's nothing to talk about Reed.

A few minutes pass before he responds.

Reed: Yes there is. I really need to talk to you. There's something I need to tell you.

Okay?? So tell me.

Reed: I need to do it in person. Meet me tomorrow at 3? I'll buy you a coffee.

In case you forgot Reed (which obviously you did) I have to work tomorrow.

Reed: Shoot right. How about we meet at 5 when you get done.

Can't Jenna's sick and I'm picking up her shifts.

Reed doesn't respond after that for which I'm grateful. Ever since the party I haven't spoken to him aside from a few texts sent between the two of us. If I'm being honest with myself I don't want to talk to him.

One of these days I'm going to snap if he keeps manhandling me and it won't be pretty.

I roll on my side before closing my eyes in an attempt to fall asleep.

It didn't work.

I groan and turn on my lamp again before getting up and heading to my bookcase. I scan the shelves trying to find something new to read. I finally decide on a romance novel that I haven't read in years.

I go back to my bed and curl up under my covers as I open the book and begin reading the first page.

My phone dings with another text message.

Unknown: Thanks for the coffee princess ;)

My eyebrows draw together. How in the world did he get my number. Who even was he? I didn't know anything about him.

Um how did you get my number?

Unknown: Bristol is a small town. I have my ways.

A smile finds its way back onto my face as I read his message. Some people would find it creepy but not me.

You haven't told me your name. What am I supposed to put you under in my contact list?

Unknown: Hmm now that's a good question princess.

When he doesn't answer I just input my own name.

Okay fine. You're officially now known as LHM

LHM: ??

Lighthouse mystery. Since that's where I first met you.

LHM: not very creative princess.

Well what do you expect? You haven't told me your name!!

LHM: just for now call me Charming. That's all you're getting from me.

Fine. Can I at least meet up with you somewhere? You walked out without your change.

Charming: DeLuca's auto body. I'm there all day.

Except for when you get a double shot espresso right?

Charming: bingo princess.

Charming: I have to go, duty calls. But sleep tight princess.

Yeah.... you too.

When he doesn't respond again I felt myself deflate slightly. It wasn't like we were even close to being friends. But there was something about I couldn't quite put my finger on. But something that made me want to know more.

And one thing about me. Once my mind was made up, it wasn't going to change.

I was going to figure out this mysterious boy if it was the last thing I'd do.

•

I know this chapter is short and it kinda sucks but it's mainly a filler. The action will be coming in the next few chapters!