Ideas for this story are flowing atm. New update out, with a lil sneak peek for Tumblr :P
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
“Can I help you, sweetheart?”
Galinda let out a yelp of surprise, her hand shooting straight to her chest. “Goodness! You nearly killed me!”
A man wearing the Tea and Tales cafe uniform was standing to her right, grinning. He was a little below average height, with gelled up hair and pearly white teeth. His high-pitched, effeminate voice had a somewhat musical quality.
Galinda thought she recognised him. Yes. This was one of the other Tea and Tales baristas.
“Wasn’t trying to. Cross my heart and hope to die,” the barista assured her.
“But can I help? You’ve been staring through the window for a good few minutes now.”
Galinda was glad for the wide-brimmed sunglasses. They probably hid a little of her blush. Probably.
“Oh, no, I was just, um… checking my reflection! Sorry, I’m awfully vain. Any piece of glass is my personal mirror.”
A teasing sparkle appeared in his eye. “You know, my boyfriend’s like that too.”
“He also happens to have great fashion sense.”
The very camp barista laughed and Galinda decided she already liked him. “Why don’t you come in? Wouldn’t be the first time.”
“You’re a regular, aren’t you? I could’ve sworn I’ve seen you before.”
“Oh, not a regular, that’s a bit much.”
The barista raised his eyebrow, a smirk creeping onto his lips. “Sure about that?”
“Weren’t you here yesterday, though?”
“And the day before that?”
She scratched her hair, embarrassed. “Okay, maybe I’m a regular. But I don’t think you were working those days…?”
“It’s a small work force here at Tea and Tales. Word gets around. Besides, I’ve definitely served you before.”
“You have?” She recognised him too but was trying to play it off.
“Yes, love.” A small, teasing grin. “You were probably too distracted to notice.”
Distracted? Galinda didn’t know what he meant, but for whatever reason, she was getting embarrassed. It must have looked strange, her standing by the window, peering inside like a right old snoop...
“Lovely to meet you, Mr-“
“Crope.” He took her hand and kissed it extravagantly. “Master Crope.”
“Okay, Master Crope. I can assure my reflection’s been well checked. No more vanity for the next hour or so.” She turned heel. “I'll come in some other time-”
“By ‘some other time’, do you mean tomorrow?”
“Elphie’s working tomorrow,” he drawled, giving her a meaningful stare.
This time, not even the sunglasses could help her. Galinda felt heat rush to her cheeks. “She is?!” Her voice came out as a shrill little squeak.
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