“Hi there, um, can I, I mean, what can I get you?”
Ohmygod, I sound ridiculous.
I force my eyes back up and catch him staring at my face. Which of course makes my cheeks darken even more.
This is too close.
I haven’t checked my makeup in hours! And I have that pimple. Oh shit the pimple!
My smile startsto falter, but I will it to stay in place.
I look good. Okay, I at least look decent. It’s been three years since he’s seen me, and I know I look older. I’ve learned how to tame my hair. I’ve toned down the body shimmer. I’ve… well I still have that adolescent weight around my hips. And thighs. And ass. And it’s probably not even adolescent weight, just regular weight, but I look okay. At least BeanBag doesn’t make us wear uniforms. And I’m wearing my good jeans today.
Beckett shifts his weight, pulling his wallet free from his jeans. “I’ll take a large black coffee.”
Ugh, even his drink order is cool.
“Sounds good!” I tap the correct keys on the register and tell him the total, but he’s already holding out a Five.
My fingers tremble a little and I have to make two attempts before I get the cash register open.
Get it together, Lou.I scold myself, before reaching out, handing him back his change. Proud that the paper doesn’t flutter in my grip. “Just one sec while I get that for you.”
He makes a sound that I take to be understanding and I catch a glimpse of him putting the change into the tip jar as I spin away.
Out of the corner of my eye I see Maddie creeping at the doorway to the backroom, no doubt enjoying the show I’ve been putting on so far. I can’t even look at her when I grab the wrong size cup and have to put it back then pick up the Large one.
Reaching for the coffee spout, I realize I didn’t ask him which type of coffee he wanted. There’s a moment of paralysis before I decide to just pick for him.
I know Beckett. I used to be in love with him.
Used to. Not anymore. That’d be crazy.
My eyes move between the options before I settle on the dark roast. Rich, bold, robust. The perfect blend for Beckett.
I pull the lever down and watch the dark liquid pour into the cup.
“Hey, you around for dinner tonight?” Beckett’s voice vibrates the air and time slows while his question wraps around me like magic from a Fairy Godmother’s wand.
After all this time…
Spinning to face him, I breathe out the only answer I could ever give. “Yes!” My voice is full of breathy excitement and my mouth is pulled in the widest smile.
He asked me! Beckett just asked-
The spell pops as several things happen at once.
My spin comes to a stop with me facing Beckett. Beckett, who has a small silver cell phone pressed to his ear.
My heart also stops.
But what doesn’t stop –the hot as hell coffee inside the unlidded cup in my hand.
Hot liquid splashes over my knuckles.
My mouth drops open in shock. Whether from the burning of my skin or the scorching embarrassment, I’ll never know.
With a small noise of pain, I hurriedly switch hands and set the coffee on the counter, shaking out my right hand.