Part 2/?
still testing the waters with this but i think it’s starting to shape into something i like?
idk
i’ll do longer parts if people are interested!
lemme know :-)
I curse whoever decided that glass doors were a good idea and weigh my options. I could fully ignore him. It’s not like I’d made eye contact with him. Twice. I could also act like an actual adult and go to the door. Opening 10 minutes early wouldn’t be the end of the world.
I finally move my body cemented in place towards the door. He flashes that damned smile at me causing me to trip and drop my keys. Even on my best days I can barely hold my shit together. I give him a little wave, place the keys into the lock, turn, and crack the door.
“We’re not open yet,” I blurt out. Apparently my lips decided to not consult my brain before speaking. Of course he knows we’re not open, Grey. The front door is literally locked. Idiot.
The corner of his mouth rises into a smirk. “I was passing by and wanted to stop in for another small coffee.”
“At 5:45 in the morning?” He can’t be serious. I’m not falling for the “just passing by” trick.
“Yeah, I try to go on a run every morning.”
I realize how stupid I look then, shielding myself with the door and a blank expression on my face. So he’s not stalking me. Plenty of people run through the Pearl in the mornings, apparently he is one of them. I really need to get my head straight.
“Right. Sorry, uh come on in.” I pull the door open wide enough for him to walk by me. True to his word, he’s in running gear. I notice his arms are glistening slightly. God, look at those arms. A ship inked onto his left bicep catches my eye. Does this guy have a nautical thing going or something?
He slides by just close enough for me to get a smell of his aftershave. He smells incredible. This is a joke. Not only does this guy look unfairly enticing after a run, but he even smells good. I shake my head in an attempt to chase away the dirty thoughts running through it.
“Er, I haven’t brewed drip yet so it’ll be a minute or so. Is that okay?” I hurry behind the counter as he stops at the register.
“That’s fine. I can wait.”
“Cool, cool,” I mumble.
I feel his eyes burning into my back as I grind the espresso beans and toss them into a filter. I press brew above the empty container and watch a steady stream of coffee pour into the open top.
“What’s your name?” He asks conversationally. I turn to face him. He’s casually leaning on the front counter, fidgeting with the merchandise sitting on it.
“It’s Grey.”
With amusement in his eyes, he meets mine. “Like the color?”
If I had a dollar for every person who’s asked me that over the years I would have enough to legally declare grey was no longer a color.
“Yeah, I guess.” I scrunch up my nose for a moment. “It’s more like my parents partied too much and smoked a lot of weed and thought Grey was a perfectly suitable name for a human being.”
That earns me a laugh from him. “I like it. Very moody.” He winks.
“Thanks.” I look down at my twiddling thumbs. “Uh, what’s yours?”
“Harry,” he says.
“Like what’s on your head?” The words escape before I can stop them. I can feel my ears redden at my idiotic joke. He chuckles softly.
“Something like that. It’s fairly boring if you ask me.”
“No booze and drugs involved?” We both laugh. The beep of the brewer behind me indicates it’s finished. “You said a small, right?”
“Whatever you’d like to give me,” he says coyly.
I give my head a little shake. I fill a 12-ounce cup to the top, remembering he likes no room, and snap the lid on. I spin around and nearly drop his coffee in the process. He’s leaning as far forward as he can on the counter, arms extended in front of him with his hands clasped. My eyes trail along the curves of his arms for a second, fantasizing about them pinning me down to this very counter and-
“So what are you doing when you get off?”
“Get off?” He matches my puzzled expression. “Oh! You mean work.” I mentally kick myself. Get your head out of the damn gutter, Grey. “I’ll probably just go home and take a nap. That’s usually what I do on the days I open.”
“Not much of a morning person?” He takes a sip of his coffee. I can’t help but watch his lips wrap around the lid. My thoughts wander to his lips to what else he could wrap them around.
“I despise mornings,” I agree. “Days shouldn’t start before 10 a.m. if you ask me.”
“Sounds like you’re in the right line of work then.” He smiles. How am I just noticing the deep dimples that indent his face when does? They paint the perfect illusion of youth.
“I’m good at it.” I shrug. “It’s an easy job anyway. Tips are good.”
“Speaking of, how much do I owe you?” He reaches for his wallet.
“It’s on the house.” I smile.
“If it’s because I came before you opened then I can wait until the register is ready or whatever,” he reasons.
“No, no it really is fine.” I glance at the clock on the iPad. “We’re open now anyway.”
“I insist.”
“It’s a dollar seventy-five; I think we’ll be alright.”
“Let me pay you back tonight then?” He peaks over the top of his coffee as he takes another sip, looking hopeful. “Drinks?”
“Uh-” I bite my lip. Did this guy really walk in here with the intention of asking me out or is fate throwing me a sympathy bone? “I can probably do that, yeah. What time?”
His expression relaxes. “Whenever works for you. I can pick you up at your place or you can swing by mine? Do you live around here?”
“My apartment isn’t far from here. There are some bars within walking distance of it if you just wanted to meet me at mine?”
“Sure, just send me the address.” He pulls his phone out and hands it to me across the counter. I take it and type my phone number in, adding it to his contacts. Grey, (like the color), I add.
“Here you are.” I hold his phone out to him. Our hands brush momentarily and every nerve in my body ignites. They’re soft. His hands are really soft. “You better not ghost me.” I laugh.
His eyebrows shoot up and a look of exaggerated shock takes over his features. “I would never.” He laughs along with me. “Do I look like the type of lad to do that?”
The door opens and two of my morning regulars walk in before I can answer. He glances over his shoulder and then back to me.
“Looks like that’s my cue.” I smile apologetically.
“See you tonight.” His eyes twinkle like two stars I could get lost in.
As he’s leaving I notice a five-dollar bill in the tip jar.
“I look terrible in absolutely everything, oh my god!! Why do I even own half of this shit!” I fall facedown on my bed next to Lana.
“Shut up, babe you’ve looked hot in everything you’ve put on,” she assures.
“You’re a fucking liar and you know it.” I sigh. “It’s easy for you to say considering you look good in everything you wear.”
“Not true.” She stands and walks to my wardrobe. “What about this?” Lana pulls out a midi, light grey silk dress.
I sit up. “Don’t you think a slip dress is a bit...much?” I scrunch my nose up. “I don’t even know if this is a date.”
The texts Harry and I exchanged throughout the day were short and simple. He never explicitly said the word “date” nor did he really flirt much. It made me feel anxious.
“You said yourself you didn’t want this to be a date,” she responds.
“That’s not what I meant. I just- You know how it is.”
She sighs. “Sometimes Grey? I really don’t. C’mon, this gorgeous guy is clearly into you and you’re gonna play these stupid games with him? He could actually be a decent guy, ya know. Can we also talk about the fact that he’s fucking British? How often do you find that in Portland?”
“Not interested.” I take the dress from her hand and hold it up to my body, observing it in the mirror on my wardrobe door. It really is a pretty dress. I’ve only worn it a handful of times but it’s done wonders for me every time I have. I could toss a white tee over it and knot it to tone it down a bit. Sandals would also help. I undress and let the silk fall over my body. I forgot how it hugged what little curves I have just enough to hint at them.
Lana’s eyes narrowed in approval. “That. You have to wear that. Remind me why I’ve never borrowed it again?”
“Because you were gifted with an ass and I wasn’t?” Envy consumes me. Lana had this perfectly curvy body that genetics would never allow me to have. She constantly switches between hating it and loving it.
“Oh right, that.” She frowns. “So you’re really not gonna give this Harry guy a chance?”
I pull a white tee out from my drawer and pull it over my head. After fussing with the knot for a minute, I settle on one I like. “What do I even do with my hair?” I ignore her question and walk down the hall toward my bathroom.
She follows and perches on the edge of the bathtub. My tiny bathroom barely fits us comfortably. “Grey, seriously. Maybe it’s time to open yourself up again.”
I pause with my hands holding up my hair in a simple, low messy bun. I pull a few strands of my bangs out to frame my face. Not liking what I see, I drop it in frustration and run my fingers through my loose brown curls. Maybe I could just wear it naturally. Except I hadn’t washed it from my shift this morning and it smelled of coffee. I sighed. Naps are great until I sleep the day away. Back to the bun it is.
“I like the bun,” Lana comments.
“Is my makeup too like-”
“Come fuck me makeup?” She finishes for me.
I laugh lightly. “Not exactly how I would have put it but, sure.”
“You look hot, babe. If I was Harry I would most definitely have that dress on the floor by the end of the night.”
I bite my tongue through my teeth and smile. “That’s the goal.”
We walk back to my room so I can find shoes and my purse. I check my phone for the time and see I’ve missed a call and two texts from Harry.
Sorry if you’re not ready. I’m a bit early.
Then, 10 minutes later.
Should I come up or wait for you down here?
“Oh shit, he’s early.” I dash around my room looking for my ID and grab a bundle of cash from the vase I keep my tips in. Lana is laying on my bed absentmindedly petting Charlie. She’s curled up on my pillow - her favorite place. “You can stick around as long as you want but I can’t guarantee what will be happening in here later.” I smile devilishly.
“Thanks for that, Grey,” she replies sarcastically. “I’ll head out after you two are gone. Sure you don’t want me to tag along as backup?”
“Yeah and have you flirt with him the entire night? I’ll pass.” I fluff my hair once more in the mirror and make sure my lipstick is in place.
“I’m just saying, I would give the boy a chance so maybe you should too.”
“Right, uh-huh.” I’m already halfway to the front door.
“Be safe!” I hear as the door clicks shut behind me.
