Chapter 9

David never wound up in the cute blonde barista’s line when she was working the register. He hoped to, but he was always thwarted when the line split and pushed him to order from the other cashier. He watched her offer other customers dimpled smiles and wished she would look at him. She had a wide grin that could brighten that darkest, dullest winter day and large, round eyes that danced with ease and contentment. Her short, brassy hair bounced in waves as she moved back and forth between the register and the pastry case. Her nametag read Lizzy.

The cashier in front of him cleared his throat. David had ordered and left his card in the machine, now beeping loudly. He retrieved it and moved to the pickup line, waiting for his drink. Lizzy approached with a smile and a cup in her hand, causing his heart to race as she drew nearer. He smiled in return, but she walked past him and handed the drink to a young woman beside him who was wiping her red, puffy eyes with a napkin.

“Sorry about your dog,” she said, “and happy birthday.”

“Thank you,” the woman responded, tucking her dark, silky hair behind her ear. “I’m sure she’ll be ok.”

Lizzy walked off to serve another customer, and David watched as the dark-haired woman fought to get the lid off her cup. It finally popped off, and a fragrant dark roast spilled over, running down her hand and forearm.

“Oh, shoot,” she said angrily. “Of course.”

“Here.” David handed her a few napkins from the dispenser beside him.

“Thanks.” She huffed and took the napkins without looking up. Coffee dripped from her hands to the floor.

“I hear it’s your birthday. It doesn’t seem to be very happy.” She looked up from the liquid dripping down her arm, into his eyes, and smiled.

David picked the lid up from the floor and handed it to her. “Can I get you a new one?”

“No, thank you. I just wanted a little cream and sugar,” she laughed, “but I think I’ll sit down for a minute.” She looked around for an empty seat.

Lizzy came back, this time with David’s cinnamon spiced caramel macchiato. “David?” she called.

“That’s me.”

She grinned as she gave him the drink and looked over at the brunette who had just taken a seat across the room. He nodded his thanks and made his way to the table.

“Can I join you?”

“Sure.” She looked up from her phone as he took the seat across from her.

“I’m David.”

“I’m Callie.” Her voice was clearer, and her smile more genuine than it had been a few minutes before.

“Any big plans for your birthday?”

“Besides calling the vet to make sure my dog is still alive this afternoon? Not really.” She frowned.

“What happened?”

“Oh, well…” she sighed. “My aunt came for a visit – she’s diabetic. She had some candies in her bag with xylitol in them and my dog got into them. It’s very toxic for dogs – she’s been at the vet since last night. She’s already fifteen years old and I just wasn’t prepared for this.” She sniffed.

“I hope she pulls through. What’s her name?”

“Bella.”

“Bella,” he repeated.

“She’s a Maltese.”

David took one last look at Lizzy, who was busy with other customers, before turning in his chair and giving his full attention to the opportunity before him. She was certainly attractive and potentially in need of a kind interaction; maybe he could brighten her day.

They continued talking for the next thirty-five minutes until he had to leave for work, and the conversation flowed surprisingly well. She was attentive and charming, with soft eyes that lit up as he droned on about things anyone else would have found boring. It wasn’t until the sun hit his eyes through the window that he looked at his watch and realized what time it was.

“I have to go, Callie,” he said as he stood up. “Can we continue this over dinner or something? Whenever you feel up to it.”

“Like a date?” She grinned.

“Like a date.”

She didn’t answer but wrote her number on a napkin and folded it in half, placing it in his hand as she stood up from the table. “Call me later this week.”

He practically floated through the busy streets on his way to work, his head swirling with the possibility of a date. Finally, change was in the air.