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Alejandro can admit he is a flirt. So what? He likes attention. He likes having girls gush over him. He likes receiving compliments and getting discounts when he goes out. It's not like he gets hung over any of the girls he meets. After all, he's got everything he wants.
So why is he so obsessed with the barista who works down at the local cafe?
There's not really anything special about him. Unless you count his witty comments and the ability to perfect any order Alejandro gives him. Yet, there's just something about him that makes Alejandro keep coming back again.
He could argue it was the coffee; they do make one hell of a brew, but Alejandro's never really been a fan of coffee anyway, only drinking it on restless nights and early mornings. He ponders the question but-
'Next.' A voice called out.
Alejandro is pulled out of his thoughts when he realises he's at the front of the queue.
And there he is, like always. Hair tied neatly in a loose ponytail, and a white long-sleeved shirt laying underneath the cafés work uniform. It has his name scribbled on the clip, but Alejandro doesn't need to look at it to remember.
'Noah! If it isn't my favourite worker, might I say you look rather dashing today.' Alejandro says, hoping to get a reaction out of him.
Noah sighs and rolls his eyes. 'Yeah, whatever. What drink will his highness order today?' He's leaning on the worktop, arms crossed. 'Let me guess. 2 caramel pumps, almond milk, and… I'm sensing Nutmeg?'
Alejandro thought about it, but he wasn't here alone, so he decided on something simple. 'Just two espressos thanks, though if you could use some of your magic on the latte art, that would be great.' He winked whilst wiggling his fingers. God, he hopes he doesn't look as stupid as he feels.
'I would want nothing more than to boost your ego, but I'm on order duty today. That's $6.40. Cash I presume?' Noah replied whilst pressing the keys on the machine.
'Keep the change, I insist.' He slides a $10 note on the counter. However, Noah still gives him the $3.60 spare.
———
Alejandro stood by the counter, watching Noah work. He's not a sociable person; Alejandro can tell that. But he makes an effort to smile at the other customers. All Noah does is frown whenever he sees him.
'Two espressos.' He knows that voice.
Alejandro was surprised to see a swan in the foam with a thin layer of cinnamon. 'Ah, cinnamon. You sure know the way to a man's heart ¿no te, mi cariño?'
He scoffs and hands Alejandro his drinks. This time, though, he swears he can see the tip of Noah's ears go red. Or maybe that's his imagination.
Shaking the thought, he picks up the coffee and heads over to his table where a familiar brunette is waiting for him.
‘Careful, it’s hot.’ He remarks, setting both cups down on the oak table. Courtney closes her laptop and puts it in her bag before taking a sip.
‘Ow.’ She settles the cup down, looking flushed.
Alejandro laughs, ‘Don’t say I didn’t warn you. How is it?’ He asks, stirring his drink.
Courtney glared at him. If looks could kill. ‘Hot. But nice.’ She looks over his shoulder and has that look on her face. ‘So… That’s the mysterious coffee guy. I guess he is pretty cute. You got his number yet?’
How was he supposed to respond to that?
'No, I don’t. Why would I?’
Courtney smirks ‘Oh I don’t know.. Nothing to do with the fact you don’t like coffee but still come here all the time? How long has it been… Three months?’
‘Two. And they sell things other than coffee, you know. Their Chai lattes are nice.’ That was one Noah made him when he was having a particularly bad afternoon. The spicy cinnamon was a surprising fix. He didn't even know they had spiced cinnamon, they never display it.
Courtney wasn't buying anything. ‘Oh please, I bet you wish the barista was on the menu. I could hear your conversation from here, get a room.’ After taking another sip of her drink, she continued whilst writing something down on her paper. 'If I worked here and had to deal with that, I think I'd quit. They're stronger than me - and that's tough.'
So maybe Alejandro likes this back-and-forth thing he and Noah have going on. That doesn’t mean he is flirting, it’s just for fun. He’s definitely not thinking about how he wished they could have a conversation outside this cafe for once. And if he did, there's no need to give Courtney the satisfaction of knowing.
'Compared to you and Gwen I- What are you doing?' Alejandro asks as Courtney abruptly leaves the table.
'I'm getting sugar, since someone was too busy making heart eyes.' She mumbles something under her breath and strides up to the counter and- she is not getting sugar.
No, she's striking up a conversation with Noah. He's conveniently just gone on break, which would be nice, had it not been for the fact Courtney is definitely up to something, and she's not being sneaky. In fact, she's speaking so loudly the whole café could probably hear.
———
It had been a fairly quiet shift. The only noticeable parts would be the 11:00 rush and Alejandro's visit.
Was it a bad idea to fall for a customer Noah's only known for 2 months? Yes. Yes, it was. He doesn't even know his last name. Besides, he came here with a girl Noah presumes is his girlfriend. It was foolish to think anything would come out of it.
That is until said girl makes a surprise appearance as he's getting off shift. Strange.
'Hi. Noah right?' She's smiling at him and practically forcing him to a handshake. 'I'm Courtney.'
Noah doesn't know what to say, and he usually has a long list. 'Uh, yes. Do you need something?'
'Oh no. I don't need anything. My friend, however…' She looked behind her shoulder, '...Might need some help.'
What could Alejandro possibly want now? Noah has a few ideas, but he quickly discards the thought. No.
Courtney slides him a note. He picks it up. There's a number on it, a phone number. Now Noah is unsure what to think, a common theme when it comes to thoughts including Alejandro. He should keep his expectations low, but he can't help himself from wanting more.
Suddenly, Alejandro is snatching the paper out of his hands.
'I told you to drop it Court.' Alejandro snaps, crumbling the post-it in his hands. 'Sorry, I- She's just got this idea in her head.' He shoots a glare at Courtney, then rubs at his temples. 'Dios mio, this is awkward. Sorry. Again.'
Noah has always been one to speak his mind. This was no different, except he faced the possibility of never seeing Alejandro Again. He figures it's worth a shot. Better now than to regret not asking later.
'You could… Pay me back with a coffee?' He suggests, body tense.
At first, Noah thinks he's ruined it. Alejandro just stood there, mouth parted slightly. Then he started to speak. 'Ah. Uh yeah, that would- that would be great.'
———
Noah could see Alejandro's friend squealing in the background, but he didn't care. He had just asked Alejandro out on a date, and he accepted.
Best. Shift. Ever.