"I love you infinity, too, Tyler."
Chapter Eighteen
"It'sbusyinheretoday." I look from Tyler on the other side of the glass partition to around the coffee shop, noting the extra people that are in line or waiting for their food or drinks. Most of the tables are all filled. It's not usual for a Thursday morning, even with the group that usually comes in. Thursdays are the one day that Tyler has to get up and to work before me. "What's going on?"
"Apparently someone had asked Austin to do an interview for the local news station and it ran last night, so we're swamped today. Probably will be tomorrow too."
"And you're feeling okay?" I ask in the lowest voice I can so no one can hear us. With all the chatter around us, though, I don't think anyone is paying attention. He reaches his hand across, giving me my sandwich.
"I'm good. I'll see you at the apartment later," he says. He has a genuine smile on his face and I return it easily. I love living with Tyler. His Little side slips out so easily when we're home alone. He's getting his brattiness down to a science as well. I love it and I know he does too. I'm still waiting to see what he comes up with to get that big punishment. It's the most adorable thing when, after he's done throwing his tantrum or what-have-it, he asks me if that was enough for the big punishment.
It's almost addicting to see how frustrated he gets that I won't dole out the big punishment. I want to save that for something special. Most of the time, we spend our evenings making dinner together and playing or cuddling on the couch. It's domestic and I love it. I love him.
Austin is on the register right now while Orion is making espresso orders. I'm still getting used to seeing them both at their jobs, knowing that they were just at our place in their pajamas and playing pretend. It's a balance I never thought about, but it has become so natural to me over the last month.
"Fancy seeing you here this morning," Austin says with a bright smile.
"I'm glad I came when I did," I say. I hold up the sandwich. "I'll take my usual."
"Double shot of espresso with two pumps of manly vanilla." Austin laughs when I roll my eyes and gives me my total He steps away to give Orion the ticket while I pay. There are already two more people in line behind me so I don't stay to chat like usual. I stand to the side and wait for my name to be called.
There is a woman and I'm assuming her husband, discussing what to get at the drip coffees. There are several options, from dark roast to light roast and even flavored ones. The caramel and vanilla ones smell heavenly when they're being brewed.
"… on the news. It's a cute place." I catch the tail end of what she's saying. It makes me smile, though. All the regularshere know the story of how Austin came to own the place. It was the best decision, too. Everything has run smoothly and the employees seem happy. Insider knowledge has me knowing that they plan to expand next year.
"As long as the coffee is good, I don't care how the place looks." I smile at the guy's words.
I can't help but to talk up the shop. "This place is great. I've been coming here almost every day for a while now."
Both the man and woman turn their heads and I see them take in the scrubs and badge attached to the breast pocket on my shirt. The woman smiles and turns toward me.
"What's your favorite thing here?" She asks. I know it's an innocent question and she definitely means food or drinks, but my first answer is the cute employee making the food.
I catch myself before I can say it, though, and hold up the sandwich. "I like the sandwiches. They used to pre-make all of them and have them out for sale, but now they do it by order as well. Austin is a great owner. He's really turned his place around in the last few months since he took over."
"It's all true," Orion adds. He has a large, hot coffee in his hands and calls out the name for it. A petite lady with blonde hair walks up and thanks him. Orion turns back to the three of us. "Austin has done a lot behind the scenes to make this place better. I love working here."
"That's great to hear," the woman says. The husband lifts his cup to his lips and takes a sip. His eyes widen slightly and then he nods his head.
"This is pretty good for a drip coffee," he says. "What brand do you use?"
Orion perks up and starts talking about coffee beans and different levels of this or that. I'm lost on it immediately, as is the woman because she rolls her eyes and turns back to me. I can see Austin is on espresso duty now. "He can talk about coffee all daylong. It took me all morning to convince him to bring me here instead of our usual spot. Everyone is friendly here."
"I know most of the employees and they're great people. Tyler makes some fantastic sandwiches."
"You're only saying that because you're dating him," Austin chimes in with a smirk.
"Oh, you are?" The woman smiles, wrapping her hands around the cup of coffee she has. Austin hands off another drink he'd been making. "Well, now I think you're just talking them up because you're smitten."
"First off, Daniella makes a great sandwich, too. Second, I'm definitely smitten, there's no doubt. Even before we were dating, I came in for the food and coffee. It keeps us nurses awake and alert."
"High praise," the woman says. She turns to Austin and smiles. He is putting a lid on my drink. "It is really good, though. We might have a new weekly spot to come to."
I politely leave the conversation and head to the main entrance. I see Tyler talking with another guy as he makes a sandwich. He laughs at something the guy says, nodding his head. I'm so proud of him, of all that he's gone through and yet he's still smiling and working hard.
"I'msoexcitedforyou to see Dreamland, Daddy." Tyler bounces on the balls of his feet while he waits for me to gather all of our things together. It's mostly his clothes to change into, a few snacks, and his juice. He has his stuffed otter clutched to his chest but that's the only toy he brought tonight. He says thatthe room has so many toys already. The way he talks about it, I'm excited to see it. He's really talked it up.
"I know you are, baby." I also know that everyone else is already here. Remington offered to get Tyler and bring him since I had to work until seven. Tyler wanted to wait for me, though. He met me at the door with nothing but his underwear on. And I'm only human. We ended up spending a few extra minutes in his bedroom before I got him dressed.
