CHAPTER 4
Victor found us a nice two-person booth alongside one of the windows towards the back of this small café. The smell reminded me of a warm home with pinecones and pumpkin spice – fall preparation. Hand-knitted scarves, gloves, and beanie hats are displayed in a dark oak wooden wardrobe with its doors opened set up against the wall in front of the counter. Pictures of trees with green, red, and yellow leaves were available in dark brown frames as well as printed on the front cover of cards; small netted bags of different sized pinecones were bundled up filling a brown basket, and miniature pumpkin succulents were places on the counter advertising their pumpkin spice sale.
The welcoming atmosphere helped me relax a little – that was until I saw who was working. Drake Martin. My heart felt like it beat a thousand times in a second along with my throat swelling up. He may be my best friend, but it has been a while since we’ve actually been able to visit with one another since he had left for his summer trip to Florida, and wow, he looks good. I forgot Victor was with me until I felt his thin-gloved hand reach over and touch my elbow, asking what I would like to order. The cashier was friendly and rather beautiful – she had her curly brown hair pulled up into a high ponytail, her striking blue eyes and shining smile brightening the room on this dreary, cold day. It’s no wonder they had her up front.
“What may I get for you?” she asked, practically singing the words.
“I’d just like to have a tall pumpkin spice latte if you have any left,” I say. Mm, the biggest reason this is my favorite time of year.
“Of course!” She pauses, taking a glance at Victor. I notice she started twisting her pony that had flipped over one of her shoulders as she spoke, moving her shoulders side to side. “And what may I get for you?” Her tone was uncomfortably obvious that she found him attractive. I can’t blame her, though. He is extremely gorgeous, and he is taking me to coffee. Me, to coffee? I think to myself a second time. Doesn’t sound right, but it’s happening.
“Thank you, I’ll just have some black tea, hot. A tall size as well for me, please.” He spoke with such softness, the girl looked like she had to catch herself from falling due to his dazzling effect he has on people.
“Yes, yes, of course. We will have your drinks ready for you shortly.” She stumbled quickly away. We walked back to our booth and sat down.
“It’s unusual for a man to have such chivalry as yourself,” I say. He smiles and shakes his head, looking down at his hands for a moment across from me.
“I guess it is true what they say – chivalry is dead. If I can be one of the last few to keep it thriving a moments time, then so be it.”
I didn’t even notice but she had asked Drake to take us our drinks. He set Victor’s down and then mine. He took a second glance at me and I saw his eyes widen in surprise.
“What a treat this is! Violet, how are you? It has been far too long! Heck, I didn’t even recognize you at first. Did you do something with your hair?” He put his carrying platter to the table beside us and gestured for me to stand and give him a hug. I did, but thought it slightly awkward since I could feel Victor’s eyes on me the whole time.
“Nothing new here, we just haven’t gotten to see each other much since senior year,” I say, sitting back down. Victor’s gaze switched back to Drake. It wasn’t an unfriendly gaze, more patient than anything.
“Yeah, life get’s pretty crazy out of school, am I right? Well hey, I’ll let you two get back to it. Nice seeing you again, Violet.” He picked his round platter plate up and walked back towards the counter, smiling and waving. I didn’t realize I was still staring after him until Victor spoke and snapped me out of it.
“He was a nice fellow. Your friend?” he asks.
“I am sorry, I just realized I didn’t introduce you. His name is Drake. And yes, we are old friends. In time though we have become rather distanced and haven’t had a chance to reconnect. It is funny seeing him here, though. I didn’t think he even liked coffee, and yet here he is working in a place filled with it.” I sigh, glancing at Drake briefly before turning back.
“I see. And he was gone?” His question surprised me.
“Yes, how did you know?”
“He had a pin on the neck strap of his apron saying ‘FLORIDA’ with a palm tree, some ocean water and a sun on it.” Wow. Observant.
“Wow, I didn’t even see that. He did go for the summer to visit his uncle. They go fishing together. It’s become an annual trip, only since school, each year after he comes back he becomes swamped with college or work.” I looked down at my hands then. I didn’t care if the sadness could be heard in my words. We used to be so close, never as close as I once wanted, but still close. I’ve accepted things though, that we are not going to be more than friends. I never want our friendship to be ruined by my heart’s choice. Victor silently nodded.
“Things definitely change when we get older.” He stared out the window into the dark, dreary day seemingly lost in thought before blinking a few times and looked at me, grinning again.
“How are you enjoying that latte?”
“It’s delicious. I love this time of year. Everything about it.”
“Even the cold?”
“Especially the cold.” I could feel a tiny smile form on my face when I eyed him then, seeing his grin get even wider than before. Gosh, he was so attractive. I can’t help myself but be caught up in his gaze; I think he’s defeated Drake for sure. Seeing Victor beside him just showed the difference in one another’s own perfection. He’s too perfect. His skin looks so smooth, his jawline so perfectly aligned, so sharp.
He removed his coat and gloves and set them on the seat beside him along with his scarf. His shirt was a nice fit to the contour of his torso; his biceps, abs, chest, shoulders…everything was so perfect. I stare in awe before I realize my mouth slightly drooped open when I catch myself obviously checking him out. He chuckles to himself.
“Earth to Violet?”
“I’m sorry, I guess I got caught up in a day dream…I haven’t been getting very decent rest the past couple of nights.” Well, really it was only last night. I couldn’t get his beautiful angel face out of my head.
“That’s no good. Perhaps some melatonin, or if you prefer a more natural approach, some late night tea always helped me when I needed it.”
“I’ll try to remember those options if I have a difficult time again, thanks. I am certain from the exhaustion I feel today will help me to crash later on.”
“Indeed. What are your plans today?” He took a sip of his tea.
“After this, I told my Aunt Janine I would help her with preparations for tonight. Some of her friends are coming over for a dinner with pumpkin pie and spice to set the mood of Autumn. We still need to decorate,” I trail off, realizing just how much there was to do before seven o’clock.
“Sounds like a wonderful time. Do you need any help setting up?”
“Um, I mean I don’t want to burden you with that…” My face burned, embarrassed and shocked that he would ask. We could use the help, but I would feel silly asking him to help me with something that doesn’t involve him.
“I would love to. I can be out of your hair as soon as you need me to leave, but until then I can help set up any decorations outside if needed.” He smiled, picking his things up. “Perhaps we should head there now, not waste another moment.” I jumped up as well, deciding from his insistent tone that he must really want to help, regardless of what I say or think.
“Right, we should go. I am sure she will be very thankful for the help. Thank you,” I whisper. He walked so close to me, almost touching gloves as we headed out of the café.
“It is my pleasure.”
