Chapter 3
K eely found a great table in the coffee shop, with a perfect view of everyone ordering their drinks and picking them up.
It was a little busier than she'd expected. Weren't people worried about over-caffeinating themselves in the afternoon and not being able to sleep?
Of course, she hadn't had any afternoon coffee yesterday and still couldn't sleep last night. There'd been a little bit of worrying. But she was also more than a little excited.
It wasn't likely anything would come of this. She knew that. It was just one hour out of her life, hopefully a pleasant one, with a few laughs and some more flirtatious banter. While also getting Grandma's gift squared away.
As for her worries? She reminded herself she was meeting Travis in a completely safe environment. If he exhibited any stalker/serial killer tendencies, she could call his company and file a complaint.
And then change her phone number and move to another country.
"Travis! Order is ready."
Keely looked up and saw a burly guy wearing a red plaid flannel shirt and work boots stride to the counter to pick up his beverage. It was a large, milkshake-looking drink, with whipped cream on the top.
He frowned and then asked the barista in a gruff voice, "Where's the sprinkles?"
Keely frowned, too. His voice was different than she'd gotten used to over the phone. Maybe he'd developed a cold overnight. Or this was his real voice, not his professional one.
He also wasn't carrying a box with Grandma's gift in it. Maybe he'd left it in the car? Until he knew she would show up?
She stood up slowly and made her way over to him, smoothing her red pencil skirt with nervous hands. Since she'd been up all night bouncing between worry and excitement, she'd had plenty of time to decide what to wear. She'd gone for festively sexy, and hopefully she'd knocked it out of the park with the addition of the white angora sweater and black suede ankle boots.
"Travis?" she said, more tentative than she'd practiced.
That was another reason she hadn't slept much. She had tried to resurrect her flirty self so when she met Travis she could rely on muscle memory. Looks like her flirt muscles were a little flabbier than she'd realized.
The man glanced at her, practically scowling. "Yeah?"
Definitely not as friendly as he was on the phone. Well, he probably couldn't keep up that cheerful demeanor all the time. It must be exhausting. Or maybe he was some sort of customer service celebrity, constantly besieged with fans. That would be tiring, too.
"Hi, Travis. It's Keely. I'm glad we finally got to meet. I'm a little nervous. You probably are, too."
"Lady, I don't know what the hell you're talking about."
Uh oh. Time for a strategic retreat.
"Oh, sorry. My friend bet me five dollars to come over here and pretend like we were meeting for the first time. I apologize for being a pest." She smiled. "And thanks for being a good sport."
He grinned back. "I've got friends like that, too. Keeps life interesting."
"That it does."
He lifted his drink in salute, then headed for the door.
Keely slinked back to her table, ready to hide. Only there was a man sitting there, smiling at her.
"Hi, I'm Travis."
She snorted. "Did a friend give you five bucks to come over here and say that?"
He chuckled. "No, I'm really Travis." Since she obviously wasn't convinced, he added, "Your grandma likes rude gifts, and you weren't convinced our fourteen interchangeable drill bits was rude enough. Not on its own."
Keely was mesmerized by his voice, the one she'd fallen in lust with over the phone. She also liked how he seemed to subtly admire her appearance. The same thing she was doing to him.
"I didn't have a chance to question Travis Number One to see if he knew that info." She sat down in the chair across from him. "Where's the box with my order?"
"I left it in the car. In case you decided not to show up." His smile was dazzling. "I'm really glad you did."
She instantly relaxed. Or maybe his smile had melted her bones, finishing the job his voice had started. "What are the chances there would be two guys named Travis in this place today?"
He shrugged, his lips fighting off another smile. "Maybe it's Travis Day. Tomorrow everyone will pick another name."
"A Travis version of 'I am Spartacus'?"
She tried to keep her heart from beating so hard she couldn't talk or think straight. Their phone banter was continuing here, in person, and she didn't want it to end because she had a coronary episode. She definitely needed to order a defibrillator for when Travis was nearby, or on the phone, or in her thoughts...
"You don't have any coffee," she said. "Can I get you one?"
"I'll get it." He stood. "Would you like anything?"
Her gaze went upwards, admiring everything along the way. She was considering all kinds of things she would like, but they weren't on the menu here. Not even the secret menu.
"I'm good. But thanks." She chuckled. "You've got great customer service even when you're not working."
"It's in my DNA," he said with a grin. He made his way to the counter and ordered something. He came back and sat down, waiting for his beverage.
Was there going to be an awkward silence? Had they already talked about everything they had in common? Which was her Christmas order. And her mistaking someone else for him.
Her worries were considering a takeover when the barista called out, "The Real Travis. Your drink is ready."
Keely laughed, and he joined in it with her. She could only hope they had more to talk about, because she didn't want this afternoon to ever end.
***
T RAVIS HAD NEVER BEEN happier about taking a chance. He kept his eyes on Keely while taking a sip of his Americano. She was animated as she told a story that had him laughing, just like when they were on the phone, when he'd wondered what it would be like to talk in person.
It was even better than he'd imagined.
She was so pretty. Her voice was soft and sexy, and her blue eyes sparkled with merriment as she continued her tale. She twisted her auburn hair into a makeshift ponytail and then magically turned it into a bun at the back of her head. No pins involved.
"That was skillful," he commented.
"What was?"
He mimicked her twisting hand gestures, making her laugh.
"I don't even realize I'm doing it," she admitted. "It never stays, so I'll probably do it multiple times before the day is over."
He didn't even want to think about this day being over.
"So, Travis, what is your life like outside of the customer service milieu?"
"Milieu?" He raised his eyebrows. "I tend to think of it as a job, but milieu has a more upscale sound to it." He grinned to let her know he wasn't mocking her. "I like helping people, and solving problems, so it's a good fit. For now."
"What does later look like?"
"Still working on the details. But I've been going to school at night."
"Oh? What are you studying?"
"Law."
"That's intriguing. I bet you'll be a great lawyer."
He shrugged, not wanting to show how pleased he was by her praise. "It's another way to help people and solve problems. I started this past summer, so I've got two semesters finished, but still a ways to go before I'm done. What about you?"
She laughed. "This is starting to sound like a job interview for both of us." She lowered her voice and said in a serious tone, "So, Keely, where do you see yourself in five years?" She returned to her normal voice. "Uh, being five years older, wondering why I didn't get more accomplished the past half decade."
Travis grinned. "I tend to be ultra-focused on goals. But I was reminded recently I needed to take a break from that sometimes. So I won't miss out on something unexpected and fun."
"Like meeting two Travises in one day."
"Exactly!"
"My grandma is trying to convince me to start my own business. She says she has money to invest, and I tease her that I won't be involved in any money laundering..." She grinned. "I like the idea. I mean, of the business, not the money laundering, but I'm not sure yet if it's something I should do."
"What kind of business?"
"A cookie business. My friends and family rave about them. But you know. They're friends and family for a reason." She laughed. "Plus they get free cookies."
"I say go for it. I'd definitely be a customer."
She blushed. "You don't even know if I can bake. Or run a business."
He sure wouldn't mind finding out. Who didn't love cookies?
Travis took another sip of his drink. "I can't imagine your grandma would suggest you start your own business if you didn't have baking or managerial skills."
"That's a good point." Keely smiled at him, as if he'd just delivered her the best news ever, and it kind of tilted his world a little. "For now I'll keep the day job at the bakery."
He nodded. "I admire how you approached Travis Number One," he said. "Especially when he seemed..."
"Not what you'd expect a customer service rep to be?" She chuckled. "I'm guessing Santa hires a diverse crew for his elves. He could have been a vital part of the Travis Division, Bearded Lumberjack Unit."
Travis laughed. Again. He couldn't remember when he'd ever laughed so much, and had so much fun. "That was quick thinking, the ole 'a friend bet me' bit."
"I know, right? That kept him from getting a restraining order, or me having to find a new coffee place to hang out in."
"Especially since this could be our place now."
Her eyes widened slightly, and Travis cursed himself for going too fast. What was he thinking? He started to backpedal but before any words came out, she stopped him.
"I think that's a great idea." She smiled. "I mean, it's a lot easier to meet you here, instead of trying to come up with a reason to call you at work. I can only order so much stuff before I end up in bankruptcy court."
"Yeah, it would be creepy for me to keep calling to ask how you felt about your recent experience, asking you to rate it and/or leave a review. With one being the lowest and five the highest."
"The first eight or nine times would have been fine, but after that?" She grinned, tilting her hand in a "maybe, maybe not" gesture. "Still, you can't beat this for convenience."
"Should we set another da—er, day and time? To discuss your customer service expectations during the busy holiday season."
Her eyes sparkled with merriment. "I think that's an excellent idea." She lifted her coffee and tapped it against his raised cup. "Here's to an exceptional holiday."
It already was.