Work Text:
I sweep the floor, collecting the debris and coffee beans alike. All left behind after a long day’s work. Humming a tune to myself to pass the time, I shift through the mundane tasks that need to be done before close.
Monday’s are usually slow. Today is no different, even with the normal bursts of customers. I brush up my pile into the dustpan, then into the trashcan it goes. I’m returning the pan and broom back to its usual spot, when I hear my co-worker call my name.
“Fern~.” Ash sings out.
“Whaaattt~?” I echo their sing-song tone as I groan, a smile forming at their playfulness.
“Look who’s just placed a mobile order~.” They wiggle their eyebrows at me.
I don’t need to see the sticker to know who it is.
It’s Caitlyn.
“It’s your favorite regular.” Ash winks at me.
I shrug them off, chuckling along with them while I roll my eyes.
They are right, though. There’s no customer who I’d willingly spend way longer - than I really should - chatting to. Caitlyn’s so eager to listen and have an invigorating conversation with me - or simply to spill drama.
Fuck, I love drama.
She’s alluring and - I’ll admit it - hot.
“So, where’s my wedding invitation??” Ash wishfully side-eyes me, hand out to receive this non-existent invitation.
I elbow them. “You’re lucky you’re my favorite co-worker in this building.” I say, shaking my head at them.
“I’m the only one…??” Ash raises their hands, confuzzled. They slap Caitlyn’s mobile sticker onto a cup and start making her drink. “Just think…” They sigh. “If you bothered to write your number on one of her cups, I’d be a bridesmaid yesterday!”
“As hilarious as that is,” I glare at them. “I’m happy with how things are. I enjoy what we already have.”
“I can tell.” Ash glares back. “But what if…there was more…? Would you?”
I glance over to the sticker on the cup, studying the contents of Caitlyn’s usual mobile order:
A small almond milk cappuccino with a little cinnamon.
Today, however, It’s set to in-house pickup rather than her normal drive-thru pickup.
Interesting.
“I…don’t know if I want to try and then mess up a good friendship. Also, I don’t even know if she’s into women.” I sigh, walking over to the coffee station and shutting down one side of the machine. “We’re just friends. I’m not going to trick myself into believing we’re anything more than that, nor am I going to assume she feels differently.”
Ash nods, shrugging as she turns back to the bar, making more drinks as they pop out. I help out some customers here and there, taking their orders and prepping food.
When Caitlyn’s order is done, I hesitate to place it with the other in-house pickups, thinking maybe it was a mistake. I place it on drive-thru with the other mobiles like it, continuing my other tasks, starting to break down the pastry case and cleaning it out. I can’t help but zone out again, returning to the song I was humming earlier. Once the case is clean and ready for tomorrow, I move onto the next chore.
“I’m going to do lobby trash real quick.” I say to Ash, as I grab trash bags.
“Okay, I’ll be here,” Ash gives me a thumbs up as I pass them, returning to wipe down the bar.
Emptying the trash, I eye who all is still in the lobby. It’s a little later in the afternoon, so not too many people, and certainly no Caitlyn. I kinda hope I’m wrong and she does come inside today. I wouldn’t mind getting to talk to her without the dreaded drive times looming over my head. Yet, there’s no distinctive tall, navy-blue-headed women just yet.
There is still time.
Sighing, I get back to work and quit daydreaming.
As I am taking care of the second-to-last trashcan, I hear Ash’s voice through my headset:
“Psst.” They whisper - even though literally no one but us can hear them. “Psssst!”
I look over at them, bewildered. “What?? Do you need something??”
Ash juts their head to the side, gesturing to something behind me.
So, naturally, I turn around.
And, lo and behold:
“Hey Fern.” Caitlyn smiles.
“Oh- Hey Cait.” I grin, my cheeks starting to warm at her sudden presence. “So, you did plan on coming inside today.”
Caitlyn nods, scanning the café and at the few patrons scattered about the lobby before turning back to me. “Yes, I need to finish up some work before I return home.” She sighs, adjusting her shoulder bag on her frame. “This lobby is so charming. I regret not stepping in sooner.” Warmth and comfort become her, a gentle smile tipping her lips.
I look around. I guess I’ve gotten used to the place. The dark wood floors and brick accents are quite cozy.
“And here I was thinking you came in to see me.” I playfully jab at her, internally panicking at whether or not that was too soon or creepy.
Fuuccckk.
“Well, actually,” Cait steps closer, glancing quickly about. “Between you and me,” Her voice drops to a whisper. “I did happen to ‘forget’ a couple assignments. I had no choice but to stop by. It is a joy that you’re here.” She winks.
I smile, relief, and yet more warmth, washing over me.
“Oh, really? I didn’t take you for a rule breaker, Cait.” I laugh. “You flatter me.”
Caitlyn chuckles, rolling her eyes. “I can break them, if I want to.” I snort. “I hope to flatter you, but maybe not too much. It would be a shame if you couldn’t fit your head through these doors.”
I gape at her, laughing at her snarkiness. “Cait, you bitch~.”
She laughs then looks back at me, her lapis lazuli eyes glinting in the café lights. My heart skips a beat, even more heat crashing over me.
Before I can say anything that could possibly get me in trouble, Ash walks up to us, a small cup in hand.
“Hey Caitlyn!” They grin, handing the cup to Cait.
“Hey, thank you.” Caitlyn beams, accepting her drink happily.
Ash nods, grinning as they skip away. They give me a thumbs up once they’re out of sight of Caitlyn.
“Well,” Caitlyn gathers my attention once more. “I won’t keep you any longer. I believe we’ve both work to do.”
Sighing solemnly, I nod. “Yeah, I suppose so. It was lovely talking to you, Cait.”
Caitlyn flusters a little, a slight rose hue to her cheeks as she brushes a strand of hair away from her face. “Always a pleasure, Fern.”
She smiles. I smile too, watching as she turns to walk away.
“What time do you close?” She asks, turning back to me.
“7pm. I’m here all night.” I say.
“Good.” Caitlyn nods, her eyes warm and a mischievous smirk across her lips.
Blushing, I study her as she wanders to a seat near the bar. I pick up where I left off, emptying the trash cans.
The afternoon passes slowly, street lamps and car lights flickering on as the night creeps in. Both Ash and I complete task after task, running out of things to do. As I wipe down the bar for the fifth time this hour, I can’t help but glance over at Caitlyn.
She sits poised, typing away on her computer while glancing back and forth between some papers on the table in front of her. She fidgets with her glasses, small and rectangular. I didn’t know she wore glasses. They suit her well. Just when I thought she couldn’t get more gorgeous. Especially now that she’s focused, a cute little furrow in her brow.
“You’re not one to stare at customers,” Ash giggles behind me.
I jump, whipping around to see her laugh.
“Jesus, Ash! Stop. Doing. That.” I clear my throat, shaking off the embarrassment of getting caught.
“What? Walking up to you when you're stalking your fav regular?” They chuckle.
I roll my eyes at them. Ash snickers as they walk away. Once they’ve gone back to whatever they were doing, I grab some dishes to bring to the back. I glance back at Caitlyn again, however, this time I’m met with her gaze. She’s leaning her head on her hand, propped up on the edge of the table. I blush as she remains fixated on me, the rosy hue from earlier popping up again on her cheeks. I turn away quickly, flustered, yet again.
I rush back to my work as my mind races, having no clue how to react - besides being flustered and hot, of course.
I shake my head, stunned by Caitlyn also watching me.
Taking my dishes to the back, I throw them into the sink with a clank.
Has Cait been…flirting with me? Am I dense? I don’t want to ruin yet another friendship because I caught feelings, and then tried to pursue it, only for it to ‘not work out’.
“Would you?” Ash’s voice echoes in my head.
God, I hate decisions.
I can’t be in my head much longer as I walk out of the back, my thoughts being interrupted by a familiar voice calling out my name.
“Fern,” Caitlyn gestures to me from the side where our ovens are. I melt at how delicate and careful she is with my name.
“Hey, what’s up?” I ask, a little nervous.
“I’m about to head out for the night.” Caitlyn smiles, sadness tinting her brow as she holds onto her shoulder bag. “I wanted to say a quick goodbye.”
Warmth, as well as melancholy, slides up my neck.
“Is there anything you need before you go?” I ask, hoping to god there’s something she needs.
“Actually,” She says, stepping closer, barely looking me in the eyes. “There is one question I have for you.”
She looks up at me, her eyes glistening in the dim light, the mood of the café softening her features. She is close enough that I can smell her cologne; one that reminds me of a winter’s night, huddled by the fireside.
That playful smirk she displayed a handful of hours ago, drops slowly and she turns more earnest.
“Would you…perhaps…like to join me, on a date, someday?” Caitlyn’s eyes flicker back to the floor, then back at me. Her once confident persona cracking before me.
I stand here, stunned.
All this time, I’d been shutting down my own feelings and not even thinking to consider hers.
“Cait,” I sigh, overjoyed. “I’d love that. To an insane amount, in fact.”
I reach for her hand as she smiles, brushing against her hand with my own.
Relief washes over Caitlyn’s face. “Oh, thank the gods.” She sighs, chuckling softly.
“Were you worried I was going to say no?” I ask her, curious.
“A little yes.” She blushes.
I laugh, holding my sides. “I’m surprised it didn’t show! I thought I was overly obvious! Everyone I work with kept nagging me to ask you out!”
She laughs. “Really? We are quite daft aren’t we?”
We laugh together, her laughter filling me with a warmth like that of being drunk.
“Let me write down my number for you so we can chat.” I run over to the registers and print out a small slip of paper, scribbling my number - and throwing a couple hearts while we’re at it. I run back to Caitlyn, hand it to her, only a little out of breath.
“Thank you, Fern.” She takes the slip, folding it and placing it inside her bag. “I’ll talk to you later?”
“Of course, feel free to text me whenever.” I beam.
She nods, taking my hand and planting a gentle kiss to my knuckles.
I blush, smiling like a buffoon. “Goodnight Cait.”
“Goodnight Fern.”
And then she leaves as swiftly as she came in.
I hold the hand she kissed, content.
“FINALLY!” Ash screeches, bursting through the back door.
“Jesus!! Have you been there the whole time??” I gasp.
“So, a date with ‘Cait’, huh? Fucking finally!!!” Ash ignores my question, too busy celebrating.
“Shut up, Ash.” I laugh.