I placed my cup in the sink and went to the bedroom.
“Hey, I’m gonna use your shower, okay?” I said, gathering my things.
“Be my guest,” she replied casually, already starting to prepare breakfast for herself.
I quickly pieced together an action plan for the day, pushing through the fog of last night’s chaos. It was Sunday, and despite the heavy partying, my ritual remained non-negotiable. I wasn’t a lunatic.
I left the apartment with ‘See you next time, V!’ and once out of the building, breathed in the fresh spring air. After two unanswered calls, I finally gave up. Alex was probably passed out. In college, we partied constantly, and after he offered me a joint during my first week at Columbia, a brotherly bond was formed.
I stopped at O’Riley’s, the place with the best coffee I knew, only to find the door locked. “Damn it,” I muttered. I checked the time—9:45 AM. I jerked the door a couple of times, expressing my desperation when I heard a familiar voice.
“We’re still closed, you weirdo!” I saw a figure heading toward the door.
“Hazel, please, without my morning coffee, I’m just like a dried-up piece of roast goat,” I begged, hoping to evoke some pity.
“Did you just... quote Bach for me?”
How did she know that? “Maybe.” I gave her my most charming smile.
“All right, come in, but don’t think I’ll open early any time you please.”
“Thank you. You’re the best. No, you’re an angel.”
She chuckled at my empty compliments as she closed the door behind me. Just then, my phone rang. I checked Hazel out as she walked behind the counter, unaware of my gaze. Her lovely figure left much to the imagination.
“Hey, buddy, you alive?” I asked, tearing my eyes away but still catching glimpses of her as she prepared for her shift.
“Hey, man,” Alex replied, his voice hoarse. “I’m not so sure. I’ll need a ton of Aspirin and some of Ava’s pancakes to confirm it.”
‘I’m not baking you anything until you clean up your vomit in the bathroom from last night,’Ava yelled in the background.
“Damn, I’m so screwed. I think I broke a lamp, too. She’s gonna throw me out,” Alex whispered into the phone. I laughed so hard it startled Hazel as she turned on the coffee machine.
“You’re lucky. She loves you too much to do that. But you’ll probably need to bring her some O’Riley’s chocolate croissants,” I said, glancing at Hazel, who gave me a thumbs up. “Hazel will set some aside for you.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow. Great party by the way. Just like the old days,” Alex rasped.
“Of course, man. You’ve earned it—the promotion, not the hangover. Honestly, with the night we had, I’m surprised we didn’t end up with a ‘Brand Overlord’ tattoo or some shit on your stomach,” I teased, knowing it was only because I got him into a taxi in time. “Go beg Ava for some breakfast and coffee.”
I hung up and saw a cup of coffee already on the counter. “Large black coffee,” Hazel said, cleaning the coffee machine.
“Oh, thanks!” I reached for the island next to me when Hazel stopped me.
“I already added cinnamon. And an extra shot of coffee, by the way. It looked like you needed one.” Damn. A girl who anticipates a man’s needs.
It seemed like I had become a regular here, which wasn’t surprising since Alex, Ethan, Logan, and I visited often. I met Ethan and Logan when I joined the firm five years ago. Ethan and I worked in Sales, while Logan was in Legal. Over time, we became close friends, attending games, parties, and annual trips together. They are like brothers to me now.
“Well, it’s not my first rodeo with you guys,” Hazel said, placing a cheese croissant on a plate, avoiding my eyes but smiling warmly.
Hazel had been working here for about a year. From the first time I saw her, I could tell she’d catch attention with her long blond hair, turquoise eyes, and petite frame. She was naturally beautiful, rarely wore makeup, but her warm smile and kind eyes stood out most. She had that ultimate girl-next-door vibe.
I flirted with her now and then, enjoying the way she blushed—proof she wasn’t used to the attention, despite how many men found her attractive. But with Hazel, I couldn’t talk the same way I did with other women. Sometimes, I sensed a faint sadness behind her smile. She hid it well, though. The moment I saw it, I knew I wouldn’t want to be the cause of it. Plus, all the guys knew her, and she knew us. It would make coffee mornings awkward. Without realizing it, I had mentally marked her as ‘off-limits.’
“Thanks! You’re going to make me fall in love with you someday if you keep spoiling me like this.”
“Ha! Funny! I’ll open my own bookstore with all my student loans before you fall in love with anyone.” She was right, but it stung more than I expected. It wasn’t that I couldn’t love—I just chose not to. Despite her rosy cheeks, a tiny spark of happiness grew inside me, realizing she wasn’t this naive little girl.
“If my hunch is correct, you’re doing the walk of shame this morning, huh?”
