Chapter Text
Jax hates his job.
In fact, he could not think of something that he hates more than making specialty coffee drinks that cost way more than they should. Spudsy’s Coffee had seasonal menus that changed often, and it was a popular spot in the neighborhood for the local college students to stop by. And Jax hated it.
Truth be told, he was a student at Caine University a couple years back. Majored in astronomy, of all things. Useless degree. Useless college. Useless experience.
So, whenever he sees the students come in all full of hope in their eyes, he can’t help but feeling a little jaded. He wants to scream at them about the absolute waste of time this all is. That their coffee is actually 50 percent sugar and 45 percent ice, and that’s stupid to order.
Every now and then, he gets non-college student customers. Usually professors and staff, but that’s about it. He recognizes most of them at this point, it’s not that big of a town. So when this tiny lady comes through the door one day, he can’t help but being confused. Who is she?
“Hi there. Could I get a small latte, please?”
Jax notes her eyes were different colors. One blue, one… red? Well, that was different. She was exceedingly pale with black bangs covering her forehead. She was wearing a yellow apron with a blue and red flower in the middle, matching her eyes.
“That will be $7.” For a small latte, for fuck’s sake. He felt embarrassed saying that in front of this cutie.
Wait, cutie?
“Damn, Ragatha had told me this place was good, not pricey.” She gives a small chuckle while opening her wallet.
“Wait, Ragatha? From next door?” Ragatha was the owner of the flower shop next door, Daisy Daisy. She had mentioned to him needing some help in the shop with graduation around the corner and flower arrangements being ordered in a much higher demand. Nobody wanted the seasonal job, though.
“Yeah, I’m starting my masters in accounting next fall but I moved early. Wanted to make some cash quick and found this gig.”
Her admission that she would stay in town makes him feel warm, for some reason. He doesn’t like that.
“Well, if you are ever bored to death, feel free to come be bored to death here instead.” Why was he inviting her to Spudsy’s Coffee? What is even her name?
“What makes you think I’d be bored to death?”
“Selling flowers can only be so exciting. Especially with Rags around.”
“Oh, so she is Rags for you, huh?”
He felt the need to correct her almost immediately.
“What? Ew, no. She is like a first cousin, once removed to me, or something. She would barf if she heard you suggesting this. I know I feel like it.” He sticks his tongue out in disgust when he catches her laughing. “What you laughing at?”
“Nothing, just that I knew it wasn’t like that.”
“What you mean? What’s you name, even?”
“Good point. Hi, I’m Pomni. I’m the new florist next door and I came her for a latte and to flirt with the barista.”
Well.
That caught him off-guard. He could tell he was blushing like a tomato.
“Huh… oh… well, hi.” Smooth.
“Wanna grab a drink at the Jazz bar after our shifts are done?” She wasted no time, huh?
“Hmm… okay, yeah, sure, Pomni.”
“I think it’s only fair I know my date’s name, isn’t it?” A date?! Well, he guesses this will constitute a date.
“I’m Jax.”
“Nice to meet you, Jax. I’ll see you later!” She grabs her coffee and leaves, and he notices she left a napkin with what he assumed was her number with the note gotta love a man that knows how to make a good cup of coffee.
Huh.
Maybe Jax loves his job.