Coffee and Love

Braving the Coffee

“Siri got me lost.” Phil muttered as he sat down in front of me.

“You said you knew this place, why did you need Siri?” I laughed, my heart fluttering as it sunk in that Phil and I were alone in a coffee shop in London. No Dan, no coworkers. Just us face to face.

“I thought I knew it and then I asked Dan where it was and he said a completely different place than I was thinking and I just ended up asking Siri, but lefts and rights are complicated.” Phil looked down in shame. “I see you found it fine though. Outdone by a tourist.” He sighed dramatically.

“It’s like the only place I know how to get to.” I admitted “So Dan knows you came to meet me?”

“No. I told him I had a craving. I have to bring back a chocolate scone for him.” Phil shrugged “I figured since you were keeping it a secret from your friends then I’ll keep it a secret from mine. It ought to be a fun game.”

“Phil…we can’t date. You know that, right?” I looked up at him through my eyelashes. He looked like a puppy that had been passed over for his littermate.

“No, Little Intern, I don’t know that. Why not enlighten me on why?” the sad puppy dropped from his eyes, replaced by suspicion and recognition.

I was taken aback. I hadn’t honestly expected to have to explain to him why we wouldn’t work out. I thought he’d just agree and move on. “My goals right now aren’t in the romance department. I want to land a job at BBC. I want to discover who I am and I just don’t think that will happen if another human is attached to me. Besides, if I don’t get a job at BBC then in three months I’ll be heading back to the states.”

“Little Intern, I’m just hearing excuses, not real reasons.” Phil smirked and reached forward, touching my hand lightly. “The thing is, I can accept if you don’t like me or don’t want to date me. I respect that. But you dating me won’t hurt your chances at work and I’ll give you space to find yourself and if we only have three months then hell, we better make it good.” He leaned back, stretching like a cat that had lured his prey out of its home just so he could pounce. “Do you want to date me is the real question.”

“Yes.” I said before I could stop and think.

“Then we’re on date number one.” Phil grinned “No, don’t panic, we don’t have to label it. Just because we go on a date doesn’t make us boyfriend and girlfriend or anything like that. It’s just a date, no strings attached.”

“It’s kind of amazing how you know exactly what to say to calm me down.” I frowned. “Are you reading my mind?”

“No, just that panicked look in your pretty brown eyes. I’ve seen it before in the mirror.” Phil explained “I don’t know much about you other than you’re from Virginia, Little Intern. Tell me more?”

“Uh. Well, I come from a small town. I love to write and make crafts. I started off college as a pre-vet major, but that didn’t work out for very long because I couldn’t stand my science classes any longer. My hobbies are writing, being an idiot, and making videos with my friends.” I shrugged. “I’m not very interesting. I have two parents, they’re married, ad an annoying little brother who’s finishing up high school or whatever the equivalent is here.”

“You make videos?” Phil asked, pulling out his phone. “Do you post them on youtube? I want to see these.”

“OH god.” I blushed “Yeah, our channel is 4Girls1Camera. Are you really…” He’d already pulled up our introduction video. “This is embarrassing. I’m getting a coffee. I can’t watch this.” I moved to the counter and ordered my drink, by the time I returned Phil was cracking up at another video. “I hope you’re laughing with us.”

“I am, I am, you guys are funny.” Phil promised “I think I’ve seen this finals week video before.”

“Well, BBC gave me the internship because of our channel. It showed I was creative enough for their liking. I mean we’re not as popular as you, but we’ve got a thousand subscribers.” I rubbed my lips together as we dropped into silence.

“We should do a video together.” Phil finally spoke up. “I think it’d be fun. I’ll have to think of something we can do. I’ll look up more of your stuff tonight. Do you have a twitter?”

“Yeah, I’m theshyextravert. Dan once replied to one of my tweets and I nearly died.” My lips pressed together as I realized how pathetic that sounded. “I was young and a huge fangirl. Actually, I’d probably still have that reaction. It hasn’t really sunk in that you guys are now my coworkers.”

“That’s alright; I can imagine it’d take some adjusting to. For a fan you’re really calm though. No tears or squeaks. Hell, you were actually mad at me when I spilled coffee on you. I have plenty of fans who would’ve still freaked out seeing me.” Phil said. “What keeps you so cool?”

“I don’t know. I just kind of remind myself that you and Dan are actual people too and I should treat you that way. So if you spill coffee on me, I’m going to be angry…because coffee burns people, Philip.” I smiled cheekily.

“It does. I’m honestly surprised you suggested a coffee shop.” Phil laughed.

“I guess I’m just a brave soul.” I said, sipping on my drink. “Or maybe I figure you won’t spill it on me if we’re both in stationary positions.”

“No promises.” Phil admitted “I’m very clumsy. Though it doesn’t usually land me pretty girls going on dates.” His eyes twinkled as he winked at me “Maybe this was all a master plan of mine to get you alone, Little Intern.”

“Alright, well here’s a piece of advice; if you want to ask a girl on a date try not ruining her new blouse. A simple ‘you’re cute, will you go out with me’ would’ve worked just as well.” I informed him.

“Who says I think you’re cute?” Phil asked.

I blushed furiously. “I didn’t…I meant…I assumed…I-“

“You’re adorable, relax.” Phil took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.