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Espresso Yourself
Sammy walked into Java Junction, a cosy café tucked away on Main Street, ready for her daily caffeine fix. She barely glanced at the menu before ordering her usual: a medium caramel macchiato with extra foam. Her eyes drifted around the café, searching for a quiet corner where she could dive into her book.
"Hey, Sammy! Can I get that caramel macchiato for you? It’ll be just a moment."
Sammy turned to see Toby, the café’s charming barista, grinning at her from behind the counter. She couldn’t help but smile back. Toby had this way of brightening up her day, even if their conversations were usually limited to small talk about coffee and the weather.
"Sure thing, Toby. Take your time," she said, her tone light but with a hint of anticipation.
As Sammy settled into her favourite spot by the window, she pulled out her novel and began to lose herself in its pages. She liked coming here; it was her little escape from the chaos of her job as a graphic designer. The soft hum of the espresso machine and the mellow chatter of other patrons created a comforting background noise.
A few minutes later, Toby appeared at her table with her coffee. “Here you go,” he said, setting it down with a flourish. “Extra foam, just like you like it.”
“Thanks, Toby. You’re a lifesaver,” Sammy replied, reaching for her wallet.
Toby waved her off. “No need. It’s on the house today.”
Sammy raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What’s the occasion?”
Toby scratched his head, looking a bit flustered. “Well, it’s a bit embarrassing. I’ve been trying to learn a new trick with the espresso machine, and I might have oversteamed the milk. So… free coffee!”
Sammy chuckled. “I think your trick worked out pretty well. It tastes perfect.”
“Glad to hear that,” Toby said, smiling. He lingered for a moment before heading back to the counter.
As Sammy continued reading, she noticed Toby occasionally glancing her way. It was subtle, but there was something in his eyes that made her wonder if he was thinking about something more than just coffee.
Weeks went by, and Sammy found herself increasingly drawn to Toby’s easy charm and thoughtful gestures. Each visit to Java Junction became something she looked forward to. Toby seemed to remember every little detail about her—her favourite book genres, her go-to order, and even the little quirks she had.
One rainy Tuesday afternoon, Sammy entered the café, her mood as gloomy as the weather. Toby, noticing her dishevelled state, immediately stepped over with a concerned look.
“You okay?” he asked, wiping his hands on a towel. “You seem a bit down.”
Sammy sighed and nodded. “Just one of those days. Work’s been stressful, and I’ve got a ton of deadlines. I’m just here for a pick-me-up.”
Toby’s eyes softened. “Well, let me see what I can do to brighten your day.”
He went to work on her coffee with an extra touch of care, adding a little heart-shaped design to the foam. When he brought it over, Sammy’s mood lifted a bit.
“This is sweet of you,” she said, smiling as she took a sip.
“I’m glad it’s helping,” Toby said. “But I was hoping to ask you something.”
Sammy looked up, curiosity piqued. “Sure, what’s up?”
Toby took a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking… I’d love to take you out sometime. Maybe for dinner or a movie? It’d be a nice break from the coffee routine.”
Sammy’s heart skipped a beat. She had been hoping for this moment but wasn’t sure how to bring it up herself. “I’d like that. A lot.”
Toby’s face lit up. “Great! How about Friday evening?”
“Friday sounds perfect,” Sammy agreed.
The rest of the week flew by, and Friday night found Sammy nervously checking her reflection one last time before heading out. Toby had picked a charming little restaurant, and it was clear he had put thought into the evening. They enjoyed a delightful dinner filled with laughter and easy conversation.
Over dessert, Toby took Sammy’s hand across the table. “I’m really glad we did this. I’ve been wanting to get to know you better for a while now.”
Sammy squeezed his hand gently. “Me too. It feels like everything’s falling into place.”
They shared a quiet moment, their eyes meeting with a warmth that spoke volumes. As they walked out of the restaurant, Toby reached for Sammy’s hand again.
“So, what do you think?” he asked, looking hopeful. “Another coffee date next week?”
Sammy grinned, feeling a mix of excitement and contentment. “Absolutely. And maybe we can try a new trick with the espresso machine.”
Toby chuckled, pulling her closer. “Deal.”
As they walked down the street together, under the soft glow of streetlights and the gentle drizzle of the rain, it was clear that their coffee-fueled connection had blossomed into something much sweeter.
--- END ---
© Mc Ag
"Hey, Sammy! Can I get that caramel macchiato for you? It’ll be just a moment."
Sammy turned to see Toby, the café’s charming barista, grinning at her from behind the counter. She couldn’t help but smile back. Toby had this way of brightening up her day, even if their conversations were usually limited to small talk about coffee and the weather.
"Sure thing, Toby. Take your time," she said, her tone light but with a hint of anticipation.
As Sammy settled into her favourite spot by the window, she pulled out her novel and began to lose herself in its pages. She liked coming here; it was her little escape from the chaos of her job as a graphic designer. The soft hum of the espresso machine and the mellow chatter of other patrons created a comforting background noise.
A few minutes later, Toby appeared at her table with her coffee. “Here you go,” he said, setting it down with a flourish. “Extra foam, just like you like it.”
“Thanks, Toby. You’re a lifesaver,” Sammy replied, reaching for her wallet.
Toby waved her off. “No need. It’s on the house today.”
Sammy raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What’s the occasion?”
Toby scratched his head, looking a bit flustered. “Well, it’s a bit embarrassing. I’ve been trying to learn a new trick with the espresso machine, and I might have oversteamed the milk. So… free coffee!”
Sammy chuckled. “I think your trick worked out pretty well. It tastes perfect.”
“Glad to hear that,” Toby said, smiling. He lingered for a moment before heading back to the counter.
As Sammy continued reading, she noticed Toby occasionally glancing her way. It was subtle, but there was something in his eyes that made her wonder if he was thinking about something more than just coffee.
Weeks went by, and Sammy found herself increasingly drawn to Toby’s easy charm and thoughtful gestures. Each visit to Java Junction became something she looked forward to. Toby seemed to remember every little detail about her—her favourite book genres, her go-to order, and even the little quirks she had.
One rainy Tuesday afternoon, Sammy entered the café, her mood as gloomy as the weather. Toby, noticing her dishevelled state, immediately stepped over with a concerned look.
“You okay?” he asked, wiping his hands on a towel. “You seem a bit down.”
Sammy sighed and nodded. “Just one of those days. Work’s been stressful, and I’ve got a ton of deadlines. I’m just here for a pick-me-up.”
Toby’s eyes softened. “Well, let me see what I can do to brighten your day.”
He went to work on her coffee with an extra touch of care, adding a little heart-shaped design to the foam. When he brought it over, Sammy’s mood lifted a bit.
“This is sweet of you,” she said, smiling as she took a sip.
“I’m glad it’s helping,” Toby said. “But I was hoping to ask you something.”
Sammy looked up, curiosity piqued. “Sure, what’s up?”
Toby took a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking… I’d love to take you out sometime. Maybe for dinner or a movie? It’d be a nice break from the coffee routine.”
Sammy’s heart skipped a beat. She had been hoping for this moment but wasn’t sure how to bring it up herself. “I’d like that. A lot.”
Toby’s face lit up. “Great! How about Friday evening?”
“Friday sounds perfect,” Sammy agreed.
The rest of the week flew by, and Friday night found Sammy nervously checking her reflection one last time before heading out. Toby had picked a charming little restaurant, and it was clear he had put thought into the evening. They enjoyed a delightful dinner filled with laughter and easy conversation.
Over dessert, Toby took Sammy’s hand across the table. “I’m really glad we did this. I’ve been wanting to get to know you better for a while now.”
Sammy squeezed his hand gently. “Me too. It feels like everything’s falling into place.”
They shared a quiet moment, their eyes meeting with a warmth that spoke volumes. As they walked out of the restaurant, Toby reached for Sammy’s hand again.
“So, what do you think?” he asked, looking hopeful. “Another coffee date next week?”
Sammy grinned, feeling a mix of excitement and contentment. “Absolutely. And maybe we can try a new trick with the espresso machine.”
Toby chuckled, pulling her closer. “Deal.”
As they walked down the street together, under the soft glow of streetlights and the gentle drizzle of the rain, it was clear that their coffee-fueled connection had blossomed into something much sweeter.
--- END ---
© Mc Ag
