1. Julia
CHAPTER 1
Julia
PRESENT DAY
I’m only an hour into my shift, and my non-slip shoes are already digging into my aching feet. Only seven more hours to go, and then I can go home to finish binge-watching Stranger Things . A host of regulars have been buzzing about, ordering their usual beverages and getting their caffeine fix. My blonde hair is loosely tied into a braid to keep it out of my face, but several flyaway pieces come loose as I pump out another order. Christmas music plays in the background, but with every new order, it’s drowned out by the mechanical whirring of the coffee machine.
The line at least has died down enough that I’m not running at full tilt and have a moment to breathe. Just another day in this dead-end job, but it brings me a much-needed paycheck. Especially since I’m still paying off all my mother’s medical debt, I might be stuck working here until I’m eighty to pay it all off.
“You going out tonight?” Ned, my manager asks. His moppy brown hair is smooshed down by a hairnet, pulling his bushy eyebrows taunt. He’s been angling for a date since I started, and it’s become annoying. There’s only so many times a girl can say no politely, but as he holds the strings to this job I desperately need, I can’t tell him to fuck off. No matter how much I want to.
“Yeah, I have plans.” I lie, feeling my face tighten into a fake smile, hoping he’ll drop it.
Thankfully, the next customer steps up, cutting off any retort from Ned. I silently thank the universe for its intervention when I notice the customer is wearing a hooded jacket and a blue medical mask.His build is large and he has broad shoulders that could envelop my body easily. His dark eyes sparkle with a playful energy that has my palms feeling clammy. Even though his face is partially covered, his inviting presence piques my interest. I bet there’s one hot man hiding under that mask.
Having dealt with my mom being sick for the last year before her death, I know all too well the lengths I would go to so she wouldn’t contract anything that could make her worse. My heart pangs at wondering what he must be going through to be wearing a mask. Too many people act cruelly at the sight of a mask, snickering and judging, not understanding that they’re to keep others safe. As he comes up to the counter, I can’t help but wonder what he looks like because those dark eyes pin me with the most intense stare. I can feel it all the way to my bones. It sends a shiver over my skin, and a nervous flutter breaks out in my stomach.
“How can I help you?” I ask, feeling like my voice is coming out in a higher pitch than normal. Get it together, girl. You deal with hot customers all the time. But I can’t help but know that there’s something different about this one.
“Can I get a medium caramel mocha, no whip, with an extra shot of espresso?” Those dark eyes of his crinkle like he’s smiling under his mask.
“Sure thing.” I type in his order. He pays with cash, and I give him his change, having to count it more than once to make sure I didn’t fuck it up by mooning over this guy. “Name?”
His eyes dart around like he’s suddenly nervous. He clears his throat, and it sends a rumble through my chest.
“You can call me Max.” He seems almost shy about giving me his name, and I find that endearing. Maybe I’m affecting him like how he’s affecting me. A girl can dream, I think as I go to make his drink.
As I move, I feel his eyes on my body. Watching me with that same intensity, I felt earlier.
I don’t hate it.
With him paying attention, I put an extra sway in my step, feeling emboldened.
“I haven’t seen you in here before. Are you just visiting?” I ask as I stir his drink, making sure all the flavors meld seamlessly. This may be a shit job, but I still take pride in my work.
He puts his hands on the counter, leaning closer. So close that his subtle pine and fresh laundry scent hit me. “I haven’t really decided yet. Maybe you can help me with that.”
“Oh. How so?” My stomach flips as he holds my gaze. My hand stalls, drink forgotten.
“Tell me what your favorite thing to do around here is, and I’ll see if it’s worth sticking around for.”
A blush creeps up my neck. Is he flirting with me? A thrill shoots through my body as my mind scrambles on what to say. “My favorite thing?” I swallow hard, feeling a strong pull to this stranger.
“Yes, Bella . Tell me.” His tone is almost demanding, but my heart flutters when I hear the word, Bella. Flirting. Definitely flirting.
“Okay,” I smirk. “I’ll tell you if you pull down your mask so I can see your face.”
His dark eyebrow raises as he considers me.
“I promise not to give away your secret identity.” I joke.
His knuckles knock on the countertop. “Fuck it.” He says, hooking a finger around one of the loops holding the mask on.
It feels like it takes an eternity as the rest of his face is revealed to me.
Fuck, he’s hot.
A brilliant wide smile is plastered across his face. “What do you think, Bella ? Is this good enough to hear about what you like?”
I lose all sense, too awestruck by the way this man is looking at me. Weak in the knees doesn’t even begin to cover it.
“We have customers waiting, Julia.” Ned’s grating voice scolds.
“Sorry,” I say, fumbling like an idiot for a lid to fit Max’s order. His hand wraps around mine, and it feels like time stops in this moment for a second. The noise of the coffee shop fades into the background as he stares down at me. His hand is on mine as we both clutch the cup.
“Have a good day, Julia.” The sound of him saying my name breaks the spell in one fell swoop as he covers up his face again with the mask, leaving me gaping. “Maybe you can tell me your secrets next time.” He winks, turning to go.
Next time , I think with a kernel of hope as I watch him walk out the door, taking a piece of me with him.