into the storm

Emmie watched the dark-haired women from her space behind the counter. Her apron was uncomfortably tight around her waist, but she had been too busy all morning to properly adjust it. So, she had to pull and tug to relive some of the pressure of it her hips whenever her hands allowed it.

The woman sat across the shop at one of Emmie's favorite spots. It was directly under the heating vent and provided a comfortable warmth and quick-dry from the downpour outside. It was also near the window, which provided the best views.

Pencil pushers scurried in and out of high-rise buildings and taxis, not wanting to ruin their expensive suits and loafers. Junior high kids ran off of yellow school buses but in no actual rush to get home. Parents zipped through crowded crosswalks with strollers and baby wraps. Runners ran. Their t-shirts were matted to their bodies with sweat or rainwater.

The lights would give out soon, Emmie knew it. It was like clockwork. First came the rain, then the thunder, and one single crack of lighting, and then the lights were poof. Off.

Emmie rested against the bar. A brush of air escaping the space between her lips as her back collided with the marble. Her break was rapidly approaching but as she served her last patron, she decided to break early.

The woman who had thieved Ellie's desired spot was engrossed in her laptop, not noticing that Emmie's eyes had been trained on her all morning. She was dressed in dark denim with holes that exposed her olive skin, and a thin white topic with lace embellishment that lined the hem. Her bare arms were coated in dark-colored ink and designed quite skillfully. Emmie knew high-quality art when she saw it. The woman was quite stunning and the longer Emmie gawked, the more her insides ached in want, and this time it wasn't from the unpleasantness of her uniform.

A black ink pen hung limply from her lip. Emmie would have usually cringed in disgust; she would never put her work pen anywhere near her mouth. But on the woman, it looked charming and sophisticated.

Emmie wanted to engage in an interesting conversation with the attractive woman who had been in here all week. She never coward away from making quick lighthearted banter with those in who she normally encountered. But as soon as the woman stepped through the double doors, she popped her earbuds in. And they never left, even as she packed up her stuff and departed around 4 pm. As she did every day.

But enough was enough.

Emmie grabbed a pen from her apron and a napkin out of the dispenser and wrote.

hi. you're quite stunning and you're definitely making it difficult for me to do my job.

Emmie didn't know if that sounded strange or not, but she wasn't one to back down. Tucking the napkin in the palm of her hand and grabbing some cleaning supplies, Emmie paraded over to the nearby tables and tossed the napkin onto the mystery women's laptop.

Emmie smiled at her jumpiness. The frequent visitor unfolded the napkin. But her expression was blank, or Emmie just had trouble reading her response. She started to clean the tables, needing something to keep her busy while she waited, no hoped, for an answer.

After a minute or two, Emmie was afraid she had scared the lady off and that she seconds away from bolting. Rainstorm and all.

The woman tapped on Emmie's shoulder and dropped the napkin discreetly onto the floor. Still, she remained expressionless. Emmie leaned over and picked it up. Expecting something along the lines of 'leave me alone you creep'

hi, emmie. i've noticed you also, and you've definitely made it hard for me to concentrate.

Impossible Emmie thought. She quickly wrote back a reply.

i think i would have noticed.

She was sure she had been the only one shamelessly staring. The flimsy napkin was thrown back onto the adjacent table.

how can you when you're always so freaking busy. those low-fat, soy lattes aren't going to make themselves. – talia

This time, the woman's face was lit in a teasing manner, her tongue tucked between her teeth in a giddy smile.

wait how did you know my name?

name tag silly.

Emmie's face warmed in embarrassment. Right.

you're always typing away on your laptop. r u a writer?

Emmie had written the note on a fresh napkin, as the old one had quickly reached capacity. Emmie made sure to tuck it away in her apron for safekeeping. She absolutely adored Talia's handwriting. It was neat and dainty.

journalist. what abt u? barista by day and super-hot evil villain by night

villain? why not superhero

Emmie purposely chose to ignore the hot comment. She wasn't used to women being so forward with her as she was to them.

posion ivy. harley quinn. cat woman. need i say more.

mm, i am very... flattered. but unfortunately, no. barista by day and hopefully soon to be graphic designer by night.

Emmie tossed the napkin back onto Talia's table. She had expected Talia to resume her work in the meantime. But when she looked up, Talia's grey-blue eyes were fixated on her. How had she not noticed those magnificent eyes before.

intriguing. i would have never guessed. im absolute shit at art.

im sure that isn't true.

This time Talia placed the note in Emmie's outreached palm. Lingering for a second. The warmth of Talia's soft skin seemed to spread to Emmie's cheeks once again. Emmie didn't dare make eye contact, so she stared at Talia's pink fingernails and an assortment of rings that decorated her hand.

maybe you can teach me. barista/graphic designer/ teacher

that sounds promising. and what would you be offering me in return.

a woman who knows her worth. sexy.

It was Talia this time who grabbed another crisp napkin.

id say me, but that may be a little forward. but i would love to take you out. on me of course.

Emmie squirmed in her seat. It had been so long since a woman had challenged her and been so equally dominating as she was. And she wanted any and everything Talia was offering.

wine and the company of a very attractive journalist sounds very promising.

Subtle was fucking overrated.

call me tonight ### ####

Talia had packed up her belongings, tossed her trash, and was out the door and into the storm before Emmie could blink.