Falling in Love in a Coffee Shop

Chapter 4

The next week flew by fairly fast. With work and school, I wasn't able to get to the coffee shop much and therefore wasn't able to continue my studying of Mystery Man. I did stop in once to ask Marie about the haunted forest and corn maze, but he wasn't there. 

Speaking of the haunted forest and corn maze, Marie said she'd love to go. Neither of us could go this weekend so we made plans to go in a few weeks. While there, I also asked if she wanted to go out with Carter's group this weekend. Sadly, she was busy with family matters but told me to have fun for her. 

I like dressing a little edgier for a night on the town which is why I threw on my favorite ripped black jeans,  a burgundy crop top, and a leather jacket to help fight the chilly fall air. I straightened my long, blonde hair and put the front pieces into little pigtails while the rest laid down my back. After this, I threw on some makeup quick and some black boots. Finally, I was ready to leave. I glanced at the clock while grabbing my phone and purse and realized I was leaving a few minutes late.

I locked up my front door and rushed into the cold. It was especially chilly tonight but I didn't let it bug me as I made my way to a small bar a few blocks away. The main floor of this particular place was a restaurant while a bar was in the basement. When I got there, I showed the bouncer my ID and made my way down the stairs.

It was already fairly crowded so it took me a few minutes to find Carter. He was at a booth in the back corner. From where I was standing, I couldn't tell who was with him. Only Carter's face was visible in the dim light. I pushed my way through the thickening crowd and when I reached Carter's table, he looked up with a smile.

"Hey, there," he said.

"Hey!"

"Glad you could make it," he said as he slid over to make room for me. 

I sat in the booth as I smiled and said, "me, too. I really need a good night out." 

"Well, you know I'm ready for a good time!"

"Always are," I said, smiling once more. 

"Do you need a drink?"

"Yeah, I'll get one in a minute." Before I left for a drink, I wanted to look around the table to see who else was there. I was shocked to see only one familiar face. A girl named Leah, who I had met several times, smiled and waved at me before turning her attention back to the man next to her. He had blonde hair with what looked to be a stocky build. I couldn't quite see his face in the dark room but I could tell he was intently interested in whatever Leah had been saying. 

There was a man between Leah and Carter that looked familiar but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. He had a slight frame with straight brown hair. He wore a button-up and a bowtie adorned his neck. He was now talking to Carter. Feeling a bit like a fifth wheel, I decided to go up to the bar and grab a drink. 

"Rum and coke, please," I told Hot Bartender (this is what Carter, Marie and I liked to call him). He nodded to me and got to work. He worked quickly and just a minute later he was back with my drink.

"Do you have a tab?"

"No, I'll start one, though."

Just then I felt a presence too close behind me. I exhaled the breath I had been holding when I saw it was just Carter.

"Actually, you can just put her on mine."

"Thanks, but you don't have to do that, Carter." As I said that, he looked down at me like I was speaking utter nonsense before telling Hot Bartender which name to put my drinks under.