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Sixteen forty-five. The bell rings, and there he is. As always, right on the dot. He will pick the table on the corner… it’s taken. So he’ll look for the one by the window—promising that snow continues to fall. That one’s free, he marches towards it. He’ll grab the napkin and will wipe it clean.
Red leaves were falling when this customer has first visited and has been a regular since. There are many regulars in his tiny tea shop by the corner, but this one is particularly striking. His broad shoulders, towering height, and his manner of cleaning the table despite it being pristine. The last one pinches Levi’s nerves, finds it a challenge in his standards. “Tch.” He mutters under his breath.
Levi shakes his head and pays attention to other things behind the bar. It’s bad enough that he’s predicting his regular’s movement; what’s worse is he’s noticing the little unusual things: the customer’s blue scarf, the emerald pin on his white shirt’s collar, and how his usually polished blond hair is left naturally falling, brushing his handsome, chiselled face. Levi can bet it is soft and smooth to touch. He can test it if he dares, the man’s practically within arm’s reach now—Levi can feel the warmth of wood sage and the freshness of the sea. But of course, he keeps his hands behind the bar.
Levi clears his throat, clears his thoughts. “What can I get you?” he asks despite his fingers ready to punch in: syphon brew, Shiganshina beans, blueberry scone.
“London fog…” His baritone voice multiplies the surprising choice. His blue eyes scan the display on his right, then he smiles before stating his pick, “…and lemon bar.”
Levi keeps his brows in check, “Will that be all?”
“Ah.” The man smiles further—captivating, glimmering eyes that can bore on anyone’s heart shone upon the other one behind the counter. Then his eyes found the nameplate. “Levi’s full number and a little bit of chat on the side, please.”
Levi blinks. Once, twice, thrice. Did he just hear it right? “What?”
The man shakes his head. “Never mind. That should be it.” He smiles once more but with a calm yet cold demeanour now. He pulls his lips in a thin line and takes out his phone, “Credit, please.”
Levi let his brows quirk. Perhaps he has heard it right. Perhaps it’s worth a try. “Never mind. It’s on the house.”