Great Beans!! Coffee

[innitmarvelous_og]

Eva Stark had been working as a barista in her small hometown coffee shop for years. She loved her job and the customers that came through her doors. But there was one particular customer that always caught her eye: Loki, the famous author who always ordered the same thing - a cup of black coffee without any added bells or whistles.

Eva had always admired Loki from afar, watching as he scribbled away in his notebook while sipping his coffee. One day, Loki finally caught her eye and gave her a smile. From that moment on, they began to exchange small talk every time he came in for his coffee.

As the days went by, Eva started to realize that Loki was not only charming, but he was also incredibly intelligent and kind-hearted. When there was a lull in other customers present in the cafe, Loki would often start a conversation with her. They would chat about everything from literature to music, and Eva found herself looking forward to seeing him every day. Then one day, a turn of events led to something completely unexpected that would change her life from that moment on.

Loki had come into the cafe and had ordered his usual cup of black coffee. Eva had made it, and when she went to hand it to him, she asked, "Are you sure you don't want to try something different this time than just plain black coffee? Something like a Macchiato maybe? I could make you one up with no problem if you want?"

He gave her a smile and took the black coffee from her instead, "No, thank you. This is fine the way it is. I appreciate you offering though." With that, he went to sit down at his usual table in the corner, and got down to work.

Eva returned to her own work as a flood of coffee and tea lovers started drizzling into the cafe. She was busy for almost an hour before there was another lull in business. When the last to-go order had gone, Eva looked over in Loki's direction and was happy to see he was still at his table... on the phone! He was not scribbling away in his notebook as was his habit when he came in her.

Eva tried not to stare at him, but she could not fail to notice he looked unhappy, perhaps upset the further along his phone conversation went. Finally she heard him say, "No no, Sofia, don't worry about it. You're sick and you can't make it. It's as simple as that. I'll ask someone else. It's fine." 

His tone of voice suggested to whomever he was talking to he really was fine without whatever had just been canceled. However, it was clear to Eva by the look on his face, it wasn't as fine as he was making it sound. Since no one else was in the cafe except for Joe who was in the back cooking a fresh batch of pastries, Eva made a decision. She locked the register, grabbed a rag, and went over to start wiping the table closest to his.

She wiped the table for a moment, working up her courage to finally ask her question, "Is everything okay?" She cringed inwardly at how nervous she sounded instead of casual. She hoped that he would not notice.

Loki didn't respond for a moment, and when he did he sounded distracted, "Hmm? What? I'm sorry, Eva, but I didn't hear your question."

"I asked if everything's okay?" Eva repeated.

"Yes, it is... well if you count your dinner date canceling on you at the last possible moment, and you know you'll never be able to find anyone else in time to fill in for her," he answered, then he shrugged, "Well, I suppose I will just have to go on my own."

As she continued to wipe the same table more than it really needed to be wiped, Eva felt a thread of disappointment curling in her stomach, which was followed by embarrassment at herself. Stop it, Eva! Throw a bucket of cold water on whatever this is, girl! He's just someone who comes into the place you work in for coffee and a quiet place to write! He's not interested in you beyond your capacity to serve him his ordered drink! With that last thought, she stopped wiping the table within an inch of its life, and started towards the counter.

The next few minutes seemed to last forever as there were no new customers coming into the cafe, and Loki was sitting there in his corner all still, looking down at the table in front of him. The situation was made worse by the fact she had nothing to do at the moment other than just stand there.

She didn't want to stare at him, yet she found herself looking in his direction until finally he looked up at her. When their eyes met, she quickly looked away, embarrassed he'd caught her staring at him. Her embarrassment grew when she heard his chair scrape against the floor. She turned around, and started to wipe down part of the counter, facing away from his direction. There was the sound of a voice clearing followed by the sound of his voice speaking her name!

"Eva, I pray you will forget I said anything if what I am about to say will make things awkward between us from the moment forward as I value your friendship more than..."

Wait? He values my friendship?

Eva felt a thrill at the words in which he told her that he considers her a friend. Then realizing he was still speaking, she made herself listen to what he was saying.

"... with me as my guest?"

She flushed with embarrassment again as she realized that she hadn't heard most of what he'd said to her, and now it was her turn to be awkward. She took a deep breath, and said, "I'm sorry... I didn't hear what you were saying. Could you please repeat it?"

Loki smiled and gestured, "You know what? Please forget I said anything, because it was out of line. After all, you don't really know me well enough for this sort of thing. I should be going. Thank you for the coffee, Eva." He turned around, walked back to his table, and started stowing his writing materials.

I probably should just let him go, she thought. But do I really want him to leave here thinking he's done something wrong? The answer to that question was no, and so she walked over to his table. "What was it you asked me?"

He didn't pause in his packing, "Oh, it was nothing. I was just being absurd is all." He put the strap of his messenger bag on one shoulder, picked up his coffee, and was about to leave when Eva stepped in his path.

Looking him in the eye, she said, "Please, tell me what you said. I'd really like to know."

Now he became flustered, "Well I... I asked if you would do me the honor of attending tonight's dinner."

"Go with you to the dinner?" Eva repeated.

He nodded, "Yes... but as my friend, not as my date"

Eva stared at him, still not believing that famous author Loki Laufeyson had asked her out on a date with him! No, not a date! Just to dinner as a friend!

"Blast! Why didn't I just go alone instead of asking like an idiot? Listen Eva, I am sorry! I hope I have not ruined our friendship!" he said, sidestepping her, and fleeing towards the door.

Maybe it was not a good idea to go out with him even as a friend, but before she could stop herself, Eva blurted out after him, "I'll go!"

Loki stopped in his tracks, and turned around to look at her, "You'll go?"

"Yes, I will go with you to your publisher's dinner as your guest!"

He did not speak for a moment, then he said, "Oh thank you, Eva! I do so hate going to one of these events without someone!"

"Well, now you won't have to because I'll be going with you."

"Yes, again thank you!" he said, then looked at his watch, "Oh, I must be going now. there are some things that I need to do before tonight's dinner!"

"Wait! We haven't talked about how we are going to meet up for tonight! Do you want my information or do you want to meet me up somewhere and either I drive or you drive us to the dinner?"

"Why don't we meet here the cafe, say 7:30, and I'll drive is to the dinner?" he said.

"Okay here at 7:30," she agreed.

Loki started to leave once more, and she stopped him again, "Sorry one more question: How dressed up for this dinner do I need to be?"

"An evening dress should be fine. Anything else?"

Eva shook her head, "No, no, that's all. I guess I'll see you tonight then."

"See you then." With that, he was gone.

Eva walked over to the window, and watched him get in his car, then drive off. She turned around to get back to work, and as she walked back to the counter, she muttered, "Well here's hoping I can still get into my prom dress!"