Olivia
It’s been a week. A whole week and I haven't heard anything about the job interview. I have brought up the number of the stadium office many times, wanting to call for an update, but I stop myself every time. I don't want to come across as too needy or desperate, even though I am.
This week, my thoughts have been floating between the job, the handsome hockey player, and how I'm gonna afford rent next month. Maybe I should just get a waitressing job. Anything to have a few pennies in my pocket.
I’m walking through downtown towards a cute little coffee shop I go to regularly, Buttons and Books.
I know I should save all the money I have left but they serve the best blueberry muffins I have ever had and today I just need the pick-me-up.
Why is it so hard to get a job out here?
Sure, I have clients often for occasional photoshoots but I need something with stability, something secure.
The bell chimes overhead as I enter the cafe.
It’s a beautiful place. Small, and usually quiet, with tables scattered about.
The decor isn't for everyone, but I love it. Original wood tables with mix-matched chairs. Every wall is a different color: blue, green, yellow, orange. There’s a section in one corner full of books.
The classics like Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Moby Dick by Herman Melville and even a few kids books scattered around including my personal favorite, Dr Seuss.
The owner of the cafe, Diane, is standing at the register.
She’s a lovely woman who opened this place nearly ten years ago after her husband had passed away.
She said she needed a hobby, loved coffee and books and thought of this place.
The decor is because she needed some color in her life.
She got the name of the cafe from her nephew, who she's called “Button” since he was born.
Her niece, Charlotte, is close to my age and runs the bakery side of things. I've become friendly with both of them since moving here four months ago.
“Good morning, Diane.” I wave with a smile.
She smiles back at me. “Morning, Miss Olivia, your usual today?”
“Yes, please.”
“Always so polite. You were brought up well.” I just smile in response, not wanting to get into the fact that my dad left us for his mistress and my mum checked out shortly after.
After paying for my latte and blueberry muffin, I find a small table to settle into. The cafe is unusually busy today, filled with young couples and parents with their strollers.
As I’m setting my stuff on the table, my phone begins to ring.
I’ve had my volume up full all week so I don't miss a call from my interviewer. But the loud ringing startles the newly sleeping baby at the table to my right. “I’m so sorry!” I say quietly.
The couple don't look impressed and the mother gives me a flat smile.
Flustered, I press answer before checking who is calling and bring the phone to my ear.
“Hello, I'm looking for Miss Olivia Evans?” The caller asks.
“This is her.” I reply, my voice shaking slightly. Is this it? Is this the call?
“Hi Olivia. This is Katherine from the Florida Flames. I’m so sorry it took so long to get back to you.”
“Oh! Hi, Katherine. It’s good to hear from you.” I was close enough with Karen…
“I would just like to officially inform you that we have accepted you for the position of team photographer for the Florida Flames.” I stop breathing, I stop thinking. No words are coming to my brain right now! God dammit, say something Liv! “Olivia, are you still there?”
“Yes, yes, I'm still here. I'm sorry, I just wasn't expecting that. I will gladly accept the job. Thank you so much.” I'm grinning like an idiot right now, trying to keep the emotions bubbling up at bay.
“I will email you the boring details when we get off the phone. If you could start next week, that would be great.”
“I’ll be there on Monday. Thank you again. I'm really looking forward to working with you.”
“I’m sure you'll make a brilliant fit into this team. Congratulations, Olivia. See you on Monday.”
After the call ends, I'm silent for a moment. I don't think I can control these emotions for much longer. I can feel them rising up my throat…
“YESSS!” I shout from the top of my lungs, in this quiet cafe, where babies are sleeping and students are working.
I look to the table to my right again and catch an angry look on the father’s face and an eyeroll from the mother as they gather their things, and leave. Whoops, hopefully that wasn’t because of me. Just in case it was, I tell them that I'm sorry… again. They just grunt at me in response. Rude!
“Scaring off the customers now, are we?” That voice, deep, enchanting, all consuming. I look up to see Josh standing at the other side of the table. Once again, I'm at a loss for words. This man has that effect on me.
“Oh! Hey.” My cheeks are heating from embarrassment or nervousness, I can't tell which one.
“You don't remember me, do you?” He asks. How can I not remember him when he's been on my mind a million times a day and in my dreams every night for the last week?
“Of course, I remember you. I met you at the bar last week, we had one too many drinks, and ended up at your place.
I'm sorry I snuck out while you were sleeping.
Sleepovers aren't really my thing.” I smile up at him innocently and try not to laugh at his blank expression.
Try and fail, because the next thing I do is burst into laughter, which causes him to release a relieved sigh and laugh too. “I'm kidding. Hi, Josh.”
“Hi, beautiful.” I shouldn't blush at the nickname, butterflies swirling in my stomach. Especially when it's coming from that voice. “Can I join you?”
“Sure, have a seat.” He pulls the chair opposite out from the table and sits down.
“So, what made you so happy this morning?”
“I got the job!” I tell him. “The one I interviewed for last week at the stadium. I'm the new team photographer.”
“Oh wow, congrats.” He says with a smile but he doesn't sound overly happy about it. Does he have an issue with me working for the team? Maybe he saw my photography online and didn't like it. “That’s great.”
“Are you sure? You don't sound very enthusiastic about it.”
“I am, I just… nevermind, it's silly. Anyway, what are you doing here? I thought this place was more suited to old people and students.” His smile is so wide I can't help but smile back at him. He's just so beautiful. I know men don't normally like being called beautiful, but this man is just that.
“I love it here. It's quiet and cozy. Well, normally quiet.” I say sheepishly and he grins. “I like to come here sometimes and edit my work. What are you doing here? Didn't expect to see any hockey players hanging around a place like this.”
“My aunt owns the place.” Because, of course, she does! “And my sister runs the bakery. She makes me my own batch of blueberry muffins every Monday morning for the team.”
I point to the blueberry muffin still sitting on my plate. “Honestly, it’s the main reason why I come here. Your sister is amazing. These things are to die for.”
We sit in silence for a few moments just watching each other. It's not an awkward silence like you'd expect, but a comfortable one. One I could spend forever in and never get bored as long as I'm looking into those green eyes.
We stay at the cafe for nearly two hours.
We talk and laugh the whole time. He tells me about his family, about how his mom passed away when he was a teen and his dad moved to Vancouver so they rarely see each other.
I tell him about how I was born in England and moved here when I was 10 with my mum.
I didn't mention my dad and he didn't ask.
We talked about everything that we could.
“I really need to get going.” Josh says, beginning to stand. “Coach is gonna kick my ass if I'm late again.” I really don't want him to go.
“That’s okay, I should really start some work. These photos aren't gonna edit themselves.” I say, bringing my laptop out of my bag.
“It was really good to see you again.”
“You too, Josh. I'll see you on Monday.”
“Yeah, see you Monday.” He turns to leave and I open my laptop, ready to start the work I should have started earlier. The chair opposite scrapes against the ground and I look up. Josh is sitting down again, staring at me with an intense gaze.
“Go out with me tonight.”
“What?” I ask, shocked. “I can’t Josh. I can't jeopardize this job.”
“I know, I know, I'm sorry. But you can't deny there's something between us.
I felt it the second I looked at you and it's just gotten stronger every moment we've spent together.” My heart is beating so hard in my chest I feel like it's about to explode.
“You don't start working with the Flames until next week, right? Give me one week. Hell, give me one night. Just, please, go out with me tonight.”
I've never had a man beg me to go out with him before.
But it's true, this connection between us is something I haven't felt before.
I can't even explain how it makes me feel. Happy, excited, safe? All of the above. I contemplate it for a moment, trying my hardest not to look into Josh’s expectant gaze.
“Okay, Josh. I'll go out with you tonight.”