Chapter Text
“Here you go.”
Your smile seemed to melt into your face as you look up to meet his eyes.
Definitely not love at first sight. At your grown age, there was no longer such thing. But there was still a lot to admire, even if he is a regular customer and you barely know a thing about him. Just how he likes his coffee, how kind he is to your team, and how keenly observant he is. You just know that suddenly, within the span of a few months, this regular you have often seen frequent your café has gotten friendlier - enough to now conjure small talk. Didn’t hurt nor did it feel like a waste of time, since he is so tall and well built. His blonde hair was very, very odd to you at first, but his own appearances and features are now all too familiar in your afternoon routine at work. Too much of something you have been looking forward to during your shifts.
“Thanks,” the man mutters with a wider smile. His half-lidded eyes flutters down to catch your nametag, as if he is learning it for the first time. But once again, it is not spoken. You’ve already come to accept it was highly possible that you will never hear him say your name for as long as you work here. He was often so calm and reserved, that even his most enthusiastic comments held the politest tone. But that does not sink your heart as you are heavily distracted by his incredibly long lashes.
“Have a good one.”
After his last words, you watch him slowly grab his drink, taking his time before his eyes tore away from you. You quietly sigh to yourself as you watch his broad back walk away. You wonder if he works nearby. No bag, no suit jacket. Always stopping by in the afternoon like a lunch break.
“Oh wow, I didn’t know that was your type. Didn’t expect that.”
Briefly ignoring that comment, you take in a deep breath as you immediately tear your eyes away from the window the moment you saw the man’s head turn back towards the cafe. You did not want to get your own hopes up, nor did you want to be caught staring, no matter how respectfully you've been staring. You look at the owner of the voice - a younger man who you recently hired. As he smirks at you, you feel a vein pop on your temple. First, it was the over friendly tone. Then, it was the excessive compliments that were borderline inappropriate. There was also the lack of respect towards his other co-workers. You can file for sexual harassment. Or maybe you should simply fire him.
“Get back to work, please,” you mutter as you take the next order to make. Today definitely should have been your day off. But someone had called out and no one else wanted to cover. Of course, as store manager, here you were, covering for a shift. But perhaps lucky you that you are here. It had earned you some extra few minutes of conversation with that man. Your mood is still awfully high from it, still too busy recalling your conversation to be concerned about penalizing a worker for calling out the day of.
You had picked up the cup and read the name and order, but you already knew the order the moment you laid eyes on the written name. Marco. Looking up, you met a pair of eyes behind glasses, warm and in full recognition of you. The same warmth of recognition dawns on you and you smile and greet him from your side of the counter.
“I didn’t expect you to work today,” his grin widened in tune to yours. Your spirits seemed lifted at the idea that he noticed your days off.
“Well, odd. I didn’t either!” You spoke out sarcastically, your laugh following his in a familiar lower tone. Polite, but friendly enough to continue the light afternoon convo.
“Covering?”
“Unfortunately,” You muttered, shaking your head. “These kids, I swear.”
He was grinning as he watched you start on a prior order, observing again. “It’s often a bunch of college kids when it comes to coffee shops. You manager, right?”
“Babysitter. Manager,” You closed the lid of a previously finished order and slipped a sleeve onto it. “Same thing.”
You heard a chuckle as you slid an order and called out a name. You greeted the customer, feeling Marco’s eyes on you. You gave your warmest smile to another regular, like as if you saw an old friend. You proceeded onto Marco’s order. Knew it like the back of your hand. You figured – and was confirmed by him during a previous small talk – that he, just like you, was a creature of habit. He liked his coffee in a particular way and did not stray from it. Routines, as you both agreed, gave a sense of calmness and clarity.
“How long you’ve been babysitting?”
“Oh geez,” you laughed as you attempt to recall. “Years. Thinking about finally stepping out. Wander about.”
“Really?” The man spoke but not from surprise. You recognize the curiosity in his tone. “You seem so good at what you do. You must be manager for a reason.”
You gave him a polite, thankful smile. You hoped he meant it. “I appreciate that. I guess my feet hurts being on it all day. I’m not getting any younger.”
Marco gently held up a hand and jokingly shook his head. “I’m not gonna hear this from you. Especially from someone like you.”
You laughed as you finish up his order, ears red from his subtle compliment. “What are you talking about? You can’t be that much older than me.”
“I take that back,” he shook his head again, but his grin was wider now, a bit sly and mischievous. Your heart fluttered from his eyes - although laidback as usual, it was unwavering and glued onto you. “Now you’re just ass-kissing.”
You dramatically placed a hand on your chest in mocked offense and watched his smile reach his eyes even more. “With this job? Never.”
In fact, his first impression of you was probably last autumn season, when he had seen you snap and whip the previous team in order during an emergency - a broken machine, intense rush hour and one too many delirious customers - all dealt with swiftly and professionally under your strict directing. However, he was the only guy who caught and found your cynical attitude, subtle jabs, and muttered commentary during work amusing. One of those kind and patient regulars anyone at work genuinely appreciated, but shined even brighter when they took the extra step to get to know the workers in the café they often frequent. There was something appreciative about specific customers who understood that even folks working in customer service have individual personalities, and that is absolutely okay as long as service was respectfully provided. It made any worker’s day. It sure as hell made yours when it came to him. You felt a hint of satisfaction as you watch his eyes and smile linger on you out of pure amusement from your sarcasm.
“Well, whatever your future endeavors,” The man named Marco began in a concluding tone. Polite as usual. “I’m sure you’ll kill it.”
You laughed, gently putting a sleeve onto his hot cup. “I hope you mean it. I’ll need all the best wishes I can get.”
You were smiling at each other before you slid his cup towards him. “Here you go.”
“You’re really not that old to be looking for guys that much older,” the new kid started again. “Way too pretty for him, boss.”
Rush hour was gradually ending, and it seemed the kid had more time in his hands to annoy you rather than leaving a lasting impression on his new job. Perhaps Robin is right. You should really venture past shop manager of a café surrounded by college kids. After all, this café is just way too close to a nearby campus. After multiple raises and promotions, you've grown comfortable with the pay, but you find your patience growing thinner the older you get. You sigh as you remember your initial team compared to the team now. The team you were a part of versus the team you are now in charge of. From barista to store manager…you are the last granny left. You have been slowly begun to think it really is time for you to venture out a bit, even if you are just a bit past your mid twenties. You did not care what anyone says, but anyone in their mid-twenties absolutely do not have their shit together.
Thirties must be the new twenties, you mentally mutter to yourself. Please be the new twenties.
“Kid,” You start as you look over your watch. “I am a lot older than you think. And watch your mouth. He’s a regular here.”
And can wipe this kid like a rag, from what you can tell. The muscles you’ve seen under his dress shirt, and the abnormally large tattoo on his chest that sometimes peeked out on a good day from a sometimes too white of a dress shirt. You can just picture Robin’s amused face over your blatant thirst.
Robin’s job offer she had given to you last Monday flashes through your head. You almost hold your breath at that sudden reminder. You have only a few more days left to think it over. But truly, there is not much to think over. Your heart lightly sinks at the realization that, even today, your regulars seemed to be sending you off without knowing. The universe must be giving you signs. Maybe it is dealing you a new hand.
“How old are you?” The kid starts again after you gave another order out. “You don’t look that much older than me.”
You stare at him, his intentions and approach more than clear to you. You have had too many years of experience under your belt to not notice hidden intentions. Perhaps you will fire him.
“You saying that is already proof how young you are,” Your arms crossed as you condescendingly stare at him. “Now do you want this job or not? You need to pay for your classes or not?”
Shutting his mouth and straightening his back, he salutes to you. Rolling your eyes, you stare out the window. It is a nice day. The summer weather was finally shaken off and the leaves on trees are slowly and shyly shedding its vivid green.
If you ever do leave this job, you’re really going to miss the regulars here.