Chapter 24 Dave
Kris’ appointment was two days ago, and I haven’t seen him in person that whole time. So, despite my big vow to have the feelings talk with him, I haven’t done it. It’s not entirely my fault. We’ve been texting a speaking briefly on the phone, but he’s been distant and rushed. And that’s not vibe you want when you’re telling someone you want to spend your life with them. I opened the cafe alone this morning and he’ll be in later this afternoon. And then we can finally catch up, maybe, if the time feels right.
From our brief conversations I’ve gathered that the insurance company finally agreed to pay his claim, which is great. But somehow it seems like there’s more to the story. I would never have called him evasive in the past, but I would now.
He seemed happy when I described Jer’s discharge and transfer to a rehabilitation facility. But he shut down when I hinted about his plans for the future. Not a great sign!
It’s quiet here at the cafe this morning. Without Kris I can get away with keeping the music low, but I’d rather have him here. And not just because I want to pepper him with questions or declare my undying love. I have updates of my own to share. Progress with my screenplay. Day-to-day stuff. You know, the things you share with the person you love.
“Good morning!” Gramps calls as he walks through the rear door. “Looks like you’ll need to train a new barista. But it’s exciting stuff, right?”
“What new barista?” I say sharply
“Oh, that’s right. I’m not supposed to say.”
“Spill it, Gramps.” I shoot my most intimidating look at him, but Gramps clamps his mouth shut.
“I’m sorry, Dave. Ari will ban me from the building if I say the wrong thing.”
I manage not to yell at Gramps, because it’s Gramps. But what the hell is going on? I wanted to have it out with Kris before, but now I’m practically vibrating with confusion. Is Kris officially leaving? How is that good news? I mean, maybe it is for him. But why would Gramps think that would be exciting for me? It’s not exactly a secret that I’m head over heels for Kris. Even if we hadn’t been caught mid-grope, I think it’s pretty obvious.
“Do you mind if I grab a coffee and sit down?” He looks embarrassed. It’s probably because I look like I want to throttle him.
“Yeah, sure, of course.” I step back and let him behind the counter.
The front door jingles. My eyes whip over to see who it is. Damn it’s a customer, judging by her age and clothes, a college student. My face must be doing something weird, because she takes a step back.
“Sorry, I thought you were someone else. Come on in. Let me know when you’re ready to order.” I smile my friendliest smile, and she relaxes.
“Sure.”
I take a deep breath and try to focus. It’s going to be a long morning if I jump every time the door opens.
It was, in fact, a long morning. By the time Kris swings in after lunch, my nerves are so frayed I’m afraid to look when I hear the telltale jingle. But I do. And it’s him. And he’s wearing a tie. It’s a silly thing to obsess over, but it’s like putting a tie on a Viking. You don’t expect it.
“You’re wearing a tie,” I blurt in greeting.
“I am.” His smile is almost shy, like he’s embarrassed about it. This show of vulnerability throws me. I can handle cocky swaggering Kris, but shy Kris in a tie might destroy me.
“You look good,” I say.
That makes his expression shift to something smug. Gahhh, that’s deadly too.
“Glad you like it, boss.”
A warm curl of desire spins through me. Damn my body’s reaction to this man. I want answers, not kisses, though that’s not entirely true. I want both. I clear my throat.
“Enough about the tie. Tell me what’s happening.”
“I’m here reporting for work, boss. Everything else can wait until later.”
“Later? What later? Like when you’re already gone?”
The words make an impact, Kris’ smile drops immediately, and I narrow my eyes at him. A guilty expression flits over his face before he squashes it. What the actual fuck is going on?
“Maybe we should talk in the back,” he says
“Yeah, maybe we should.” It comes out loud and sarcastic, but I don’t care at this point.
I march towards the break room, his boots clomping behind me. When I hear the door close, I spin and pin him with a look.
“Talk.”
“I had something planned. A surprise.” He spreads his hands out placatingly, but there’s no placating me now.
“The time for surprises has passed, Kris. I don’t think I can take any more surprises in this lifetime. Just tell me what’s going on.”
“The insurance paperwork cleared yesterday. And I gave my two weeks’ notice to Ari. I, uh, will not be continuing my career as a barista.” What a weird way to say it. Why is Kris acting weird?
“Okay.” It’s super not okay. It feels like my stomach has dropped into the center of the earth.
“But there’s more,” he says dramatically.
I look up at him, and I see a kind of boyish excitement twinkling in his eyes. My stomach hurts a little less.
“Alright, lay it on me.”
“I decided not to rebuild the club. I don’t have it in me anymore, and besides it’s not what I want to do.”
“Okay.” I’m still unsure where he’s going with all this.
“And then there’s you,” he says, his eyes softening.
“There is?” It comes out almost as a squeak.
“Yeah, boss. Of course there is.” He looks at me with such unguarded affection my heart starts thumping.
“When I think of the future, it’s not something I can imagine on my own. Whatever path I take I want you by my side.”
“You could have told me this sooner!”
“I thought you’d appreciate the surprise.”
I try to scowl at him, but I don’t think it’s convincing anymore. He shakes his head and continues, still barely containing his smile.
“Well, I’m telling you now. I wanted to do it the other night when we went out to dinner. I thought it would be romantic. But standing here in the break room with you yelling at me works too.”
“Sorry about the yelling,” I say, though I believe it’s totally justified.
“Of course, boss, I get it. Anyway, when I was thinking what to do with the money, and my future I asked myself, what am I excited about? What would be fun? Where should I be? And the answer is, anything, anywhere with you.”
“But not as a barista,” I clarify.
“Right. I don’t think that’s the best use of my skills.”
“You’re getting better on the espresso machine.”
“Even still. Dave, I’ve asked Ari and Nate if I could invest in the cafe. More specifically, if I could fund the renovations of the backroom area. After that, I’m hoping they’ll let me manage it. We’re in discussions.”
“You are?” I push his shoulder.
“Yep.” He grabs my hand and kisses the palm. Gah, my insides are going melt.
“I have a thousand questions.” My voice is losing its edge now.
“I probably don’t have answers yet. We just started talking and nothing is finalized.”
“But what about when I leave? You can’t be doing this all for me?”
“I know, that part was for me. There’s another part that’s more for you.”
“Okay?”
He takes a deep breath and settles his hands on my shoulders. His touch is warm and grounding and makes me want so much more.
“Dave, I’ve wanted to tell you I love you for a while. You’re right, I should’ve said something sooner, but it took me a while to understand what I was feeling and figure out what the hell to do about it.”
I might be frozen in space. Kris just straight up said he loves me. I was not expecting that. Hoping? Sure. But not expecting.
“You look stunned, boss. I’ll give you a second to digest. But I also wanted to say that I’m forever grateful to have met you. You light up my spirit. Give me joy, strength, and courage. My life is impossibly richer with you in it. And you’re cute, too.”
“Wait, do you think you need to convince me?”
“I’m not sure. You seemed pretty mad a minute ago.”
“I was mad, because you went all silent and evasive on me. Not because I didn’t love you. I love you a lot! I have for a while. A little misunderstanding can’t put a dent in something so enormous.”
“So, you love me in an enormous way?” Kris asks.
“Of course I do.”
He smirks. He actually smirks at a moment like this.
“What do love about me?” He steps in closer, his arms closing around my back.
“Do we really need to do this?” I roll my eyes and feel my cheeks heat. But, yeah, I step closer to him too.
“I said all those nice things, real things about how much you make my life better. You should be able to scrape up a few good things about me.” He grins. My heart melts the rest of the way.
“Uggghhh, you’re such a smug bastard,” I pause for effect, “but somehow it works on you. Like you’re irritating in a good way that makes everything more fun. I love talking with you, working with you, and sleeping with you. The more time we spend together the more fun I have and the more I want to do it. And you’re a good person. You care about others and stand up for what’s right. I’ve never met anyone like you, and I’m completely smitten.”
“Not bad, boss,” he says in a husky voice, like he’s choked with emotion.
Our eyes meet and we both step in to close the remaining space between us.
“I think I did fabulous,” I say, and hug him to me.
“You’re the writer, not me.” He cups my cheek with his hand.
“So, are we all good?” I tilt my head up so our breaths mingle.
“I think we are.” He rubs his thumb over my lips.
“So, why aren’t you kissing me?” I nip at his thumb, and he withdraws it.
“I’m on it, boss.” He angles his lips over mind and presses in for the world’s most perfect kiss. At least it is as far as I’m concerned.