Her sentence ended right there, and her cheeks burned even redder as she picked up a cup.
“Actually, um, I’ll happily take your order.”
What the hell?
“First,” he said, “I’ll need eight flat white lattes, a dozen mochas, and eighteen breakfast blends.”
And he has the audacity to have a big-ass order?
“I’ll take a dozen honey-glazed croissants, eight strawberry clusters, and—” He paused. “Two cups of your most expensive deluxe coffee.”
“The Preston?” The barista was still in a trance. “That one is really expensive, sir.”
“I’m sure I can afford it,” he said. “The quicker you fill this order, the easier this morning will be for everyone.”
Instead of telling him to get over himself, she submitted with a nod. Then she started writing on cups for him.
The murmurs from the other customers must’ve been muted to her, because she didn’t look the slightest bit ashamed.
“That’ll be two hundred and sixty-seven dollars,” she said to the asshole. “Cash or card?”
“Card.”
“Seriously?” I called out. “You’re really just going to let him skip everyone and act like we don’t exist?”
“Yes,” he called back, extending his card to the barista.
I wasn’t sure what came over me, but all I could see was red. Bloody, eff-this-entitled-prick red. Without hesitation, I pushed my way up the line and tapped him on the shoulder.
He didn’t turn right away.
He kept his back to me as if I didn’t exist, so I tapped him again.
Still, nothing.
Okay, eff you…
“I don’t know who the hell you think you are,” I spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, “or why you think we’re all going to stand by and let you add another twenty minutes to our morning, but?—”
My sentence stalled on my lips as he finally turned around, and I was forced to take in the full sight of this man.
His deep emerald eyes caught me first, stunning me into silence.
OH. MY. GOD.
My lungs suddenly forgot what they were supposed to do, and all I could do was stare.
His charcoal suit was tailored to perfection, the kind of fit that made you wonder whether the fabric had memorized the shape of him. The crisp white shirt hugged broad shoulders and a chest carved from early mornings and stubborn discipline, while the subtle shadow along his jaw gave him just enough edge to feel dangerous.
His lips were distractingly full, the kind that looked like they were made for hours of passionate kissing.
“Do you plan on finishing your sentence, or should I?” he smirked, snapping me out of my trance.
“Yes.” I straightened my back. “I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but we were all here first, so you can wait your turn like a normal person. You’re no more important than the rest of us.”
“I beg to differ.” He smiled, showing a set of pearly whites.
“I wouldn’t gamble on it if I were you,” I said. “Only one of us can ban the other from ever stepping into this café again.”
