ray/kendra + coffee shop au - "he comes everyday and always tips more than he should"
{Read on Ao3}
"He comes every day and always tips more than heshould,â comments Kendra during the lull between waves of customers at Jitters.
Iris laughs because itâs so obvious to her what is goingon.
Looking around, Kendra gestures for her friend to comecloser which Iris does.
âThe coffee is good here but itâs not that good.â
Shaking her head, Iris tries to clamp down on her laughterbecause they didnât need to catch the attention of the patrons.
âOh babe, you really donât get it do you?â
Kendra tilts her head to the side.
âWhat do you mean?â
âJust give it time,it will come to you.â
Iris pats her hand before walking off to take care of thecustomers as Kendra frowns at her back.
Something tells Iris that there is more amusement to come.
The next day the tall and handsome man enters Jitters, Iriswatches him look around the coffee shop before smiling when his eyes land onKendra working behind the counter.
So she simply moves to where she could watch them.
âWelcome to Jitters. What can I get for you today?â asksKendra as she greets the not-really-a-stranger stranger.
âIâll have a medium red eye to go.â He replies.
Kendra grabs the right sized coffee cup and a maker.
âThe nameâs Ray.â
He grins brightly at her as she writes his name on the cupthen hands it over to the barista making the drinks.
Kendra rings him up and Ray hands over the correct amount.
With his wallet still out, he grabs a twenty-dollar billand places it in the tip jar.
Then Ray smiles brightly at Kendra.
âSee you around, Kendra.â
Sheâs too flabbergasted to do anything but smile at himbefore helping the next customer though her eyes follow Rayâs progress to thepick-up area.
In that moment, from where she stands, Iris decides nexttime sheâs going to do something to help the two of them out because that waspainful to watch and her girl, Kendra deserves better than that.
Like clock-work, Ray arrives for his daily cup of coffeethe following morning.
Kendra took the morning off for a dentist appointment soIris is working the cash register when he comes in.
Iris smirks to herself as she sees him frown indisappointment.
âYou know, I didnât think that our coffee is good enoughfor repeat purchases every day but I guess some people just need their dailycaffeine fix.â
Ray rubs the back of his neck sheepishly.
âIs it that obvious?â he asks.
âNot everyone tips more than several cups of coffee in onego.â
Iris smiles then shakes her head.
âKendra hasnât put two and two together if thatâs whatyouâre really asking about.â
Ray chuckles.
âIâm not sure if thatâs a good or a bad thing.â
âMaybe, you could give her a little hint tomorrow.â Iriscomments as she takes his order.
He pays for his coffee then places a ten in the tip jar.
Iris looks at him.
âWhat? Just because one barista has caught my attentiondoesnât mean I canât show my appreciation for all of the other wonderfulbaristas who work here.â
Iris laughs then shoes him off to the pick-up area.
He seems like a good guy and her bestie definitely deservedsomeone who would appreciate her.
 Iris decides sheâd see what Barry could find out about him;after all, her boyfriend couldnât resist her charms.
The next morning passes without an appearance from Ray andKendra canât help feeling concerned because heâs been predictable in appearingsometime in the morning.
âRelax girl, Iâm sure your guy is fine.â
Kendraâs eyes widen as she opens and closes her mouth,trying to respond to Irisâ comment.
âHeâs not my guy!â
Iris smirks at her best friend.
âBut you want him to be.â
Kendra pauses for a moment.
âIâd like to get to know him, I think.â States Kendra.
âFair enough. I still donât think you should panic yetabout him not showing up. It was bound to happen eventually,â comments Iris.
âYouâre right. Itâs not like heâs Superman or anything.â
Lunch rolls around and with it, comes the usual rush andKendra isnât focusing on a single person when Iris nudges her in the side.
âOutside. Front door.â
Kendraâs eyes wander over there and she smiles when shesees Ray standing there.
He enters Jitters then gets in line while looking forsomething in his wallet.
Returning to the customer in front of her, Kendra forcesherself to concentrate.
Fifteen minutes later, Ray stands before her with a grin onhis face.
âHey Kendra. Howâs it going?â
âThings are great, now. I was surprised when I didnât seeyou this morning.â
âMy car is in the shop so a friend drove me to work andalready bought our morning coffee.â
Kendraâs smile widens as she feels relief that nothingserious happened to him.
âIâll have my usual, thanks.â
âOf course.â
As he hands over the money for his coffee, she notices thatthereâs something else with it but before she can say anything to him, heâsalready put his usual tip into the jar and walked off.
Separating the cash out, Kendraâs surprised to see a cardmixed in.
She turns it over and reads his name along with his phonenumber on it.
Looking up, she catches Rayâs eye and smiles while hopingsheâs not blushing.
âWhat do you have there?â
Irisâ sudden appearance causes Kendra to jump slightly.
Kendra tries to move the card away before Iris can get herhands on it but her best friend is faster.
âOoh! Are you going to call him?â
Ray catches the ladiesâ eyes and waves with his free handas he leaves Jitters and they wave in response.
A warm feeling blossoms in Kendraâs chest as she takes thecard back.
âYes, I definitely will give him a call later.â
As she wanders into the backroom to secure the card in herbag, Iris smirks.
âItâs about damn time.â
Who knows, she and Barry may have a new couple to doubledate with in the future.