“So dramatic.”
Lily and Dylan chatted animatedly as Beth filled in her drawing with gentle sweeps of vibrant yellow streaked with orange.
“I’m moving into the new apartment next week before classes start,” Dylan said. “I’m still bummed you’re not coming back this year.”
“I know, but that’s not part of the plan anymore. I have 1,436 days until the next Olympics and a lot of work to do. We’re stillgonna see each other, though. I’ll be over all the time, I promise,” Lily reassured. “Plus, you’ll probably get more studying done without me around.”
Beth listened as she took the black marker and added the final outline to her drawing. It was silly, really, but a familiar twinge of creativity coursed through her as the marker moved. She made a mental note to text Sarah later. They might need to talk about keeping an eye on Lily’s comeback timeline, knowing how easily her focus could slip into fixation.
The bell chimed over the door, drawing Beth’s attention. She capped the marker she had been using and rose to her feet.
“A lily? Really, Mama?” Lily said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
“It’s a crocus actually. I’ve always loved them, especially the yellow ones.” Beth smiled, stepping behind the counter and moving towards the register. “Hi, welcome in, sorry about that. What can I get you?” She glanced at the woman in front of her, hesitating slightly in recognition of the auburn hair. “Oh hi, it’s you—I mean, Liv, right?” She fumbled over her words, reaching for the marker on the counter.
“Yes, it’s me.” Liv grinned, her gaze quickly flicking over Beth.
The light streaming through the window crossed Liv’s face at that moment, making Beth notice the way her eyes looked like little sunbursts, warm amber blending into a blueish green in a way she had never seen before. Liv tilted her head, shifting the light, and Beth watched, entranced by the way the colors in her eyes swirled like a kaleidoscope.
“Beth, right?”
“Yup, that’s me. What can I get for you?”
Liv leaned one hand on the counter, looking up at the menu. She wore a gray, oversized crewneck sweatshirt over bike shorts, looking like she had come straight from a workout class. Butthere it was again, that flicker of warmth in Beth’s chest, like a fire reigniting.
“You know what, your recommendation last time was delicious. Let’s see if you can go two for two.” Liv grinned. “What would you recommend?” She leaned forward slightly, waiting for Beth’s answer.
“I think that depends on what you’re in the mood for.” Beth tapped her pen against her chin.I can do this, she thought. She could crank up the flirtation. She wanted to, but it had been a while since she’d flirted with anyone, not since… “Are you in the mood for something refreshing? Something fun? Or something with a bite?”
Liv laughed, the sound warm and amused. “In a perfect world, all three, but let’s stick with fun for now.”
“Are you sure? I have something new I’ve been working on that would fit all three. It might be perfect—if you’re willing to take a little risk with your caffeine,” Beth said, enjoying how Liv’s smile stretched even further, accentuating deep lines at the corners of her mouth.
“I’m more than okay with a little risk. I’ll take that option.” Liv smirked, handing over her card. Beth waved her off.
“It’s on the house. You’re taste testing a new drink for me, it’s the least I can do.”
Beth stepped behind the bar, shooting a glance at Lily, who was, thankfully, engrossed in the portable gaming device she had brought with her. After a few minutes and some careful measuring, Beth produced one orange-cardamom cold brew, complete with rose cold foam. She handed it across the counter to Liv, waiting as she brought the plastic-free straw to her lips, taking her first sip.
“Fuck, that’s delicious,” she said, holding the drink out, looking at it, and then back at Beth. “You were right, it’s theperfect mix of refreshing and fun with a bite. I might have to start letting you make all my coffee choices for me.”
The moment lingered between the two of them. Beth nervously rubbed the palms of her hands against the apron tied around her waist. It had been a while since someone made her feel this open. It was tentative, but that feeling was definitely there, like it was slowly waking up.
“There’s a question I’d like to ask you,” Liv started, setting her drink on the counter, leaning towards her once more. “I also recognize that you are at your place of employment, so please stop me if this is overstepping, but I’d love to get your number.”
Heat rose in Beth’s cheeks as she smiled. Good, she had read their interaction correctly, making this moment even more satisfying.
“You already have it,” she said smugly, turning Liv’s cup around where, scrawled in black marker, was her number along with the wordscall me.
Liv let out a laugh. “Oh, you are delightfully fun, you know that? I love that you beat me to it. Well, I guess the ball is in my court now. You’ll definitely be hearing from me soon.”
Liv picked up her coffee, tossing a wink at Beth before turning and leaving the shop with the same chime that had welcomed her in.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, Mama, but you actually have game,” came Lily’s voice from the other end of the coffee bar, where she and Dylan were holding back laughter.
“I thought that went pretty well,” she said, busying herself with restocking cups, letting her mind wander into the unfamiliar territory of excitement.
Liv had been right when she said Beth would be hearing from her soon. By the time her shift was over and she and Lily had arrived home, a text from Liv was waiting with a handful of proposed times for their date. They settled on the upcomingweekend. Liv sent the address where Beth should meet her, promising a truly unique experience. But when Beth asked what kind of clothes she should wear, hoping for a hint of what their date might entail, Liv told her that her usual everyday clothes would do.
