Nate
The upcoming autumn breeze follows behind the customers as they enter inside the newly built café, Mocha Aroma. They’re famous for their delicious mocha chocolates which are rumored to be so good that your eyes will rollback. I definitely do believe them as a horde customers begin to swarm the restaurant. I scan the sea of faces but none of them belongs to Amber.
She’s just running late.
I reassure myself as I try to remain optimistic. She’s been wanting to go to this cafe ever since it opened. So, I thought it’d be a great opportunity to make it up to her with the failed promises I couldn’t keep. But then again, she’s not replying to my texts or calls so I can kind of tell where this is going. As I look down to send another desperate message the voice of a server distracts me.
“Excuse me, sir would you like a cup of coffee while you wait?”
Oh, great. Even the staff probably thinks I’m just a loser who got stood up by their date.
“No thank you, I don’t drink coffee,” I politely decline as I send more hastily texts to Amber and pray that it gets delivered. I’ve apologized to her so many times, but it was a matter of time before she was done putting up with me. My third text hesitates on my phone screen before turning green.
Yep, I’m definitely blocked.
I let out a heavy sigh as I gather my belongings. I planned out the whole day for us to enjoy all of her favorite things. Maybe, I should just take things slower next time this way I’ll have a softer cushion to fall on if things don’t work out. Yet, even though I walk towards the door I woefully hope that she walks through the other side. As I walk onto the sidewalk shuffling through the oncoming crowd, I hear a voice behind me.
“Excuse me, sir!”
As I turn my head a server from the café unevenly jogs towards me with his head down as he attempts to breathe between his words. “My co-workers felt sorry that you got stood up, so they made you this.” He says as he offers the paper cup as steam passes through the lid.
“You didn’t have to go out of your way to do that!” I cry of embarrassment, “That was really kind of you, but I don’t drink coffee.”
He finally lifts his head up and reaches my gaze, “It’s hot chocolate.”
I should’ve paid attention earlier when he was talking to me because now, I’m caught off guard. He carried a slight punk vibe which I’m sure was tamed by the company’s dress code policy, as he only wore two black studded earrings. His deep brown eyes shadowed by thick, long eyelashes. His raven colored hair nestled his short, unruly curls. He had an impassive look to him but I’m sure if I tried, I could put a smile on his face.
“Are you okay?” he questioned as I must have looked dumbfounded with my mouth wide open staring into oblivion.
“Yes!” I tell him as I attempt to collect myself. I take the hot chocolate from and fervently express my gratitude, “Thank you so much! You really didn’t have to go out of your way to do this.”
“It’s not a problem, come again soon,” he waved as he headed back to the restaurant. I couldn’t help but watch his modest physique until he left my line of vision. I couldn’t put my finger on it but there was something about him that pained me wanting to know more. But the only thing that remained of him was the hot chocolate that I held in my hands. I take a small sip and I was immediately burned on my tongue. Strange enough, the burning heat on my tongue left me wanting for more.
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