Page 14 of David

Why did I leave my wallet outside?

Because it’s usually empty, and I don’t even carry my driver’s license with me, which I should.

All I have on me is a credit card with a low credit limit––I’m a student, mind you––and nothing else.

The wallet makes my sweatpants look bulky, and that’s precisely why I usually walk into the coffee shop only with some cash, my laptop and my phone.

I try the other pocket and find some change I got when I bought my fancy whipped coffee.

Lucky me.

I’ll just steadily move to the counter. Put one foot in front of the other.

Don’t look.

Don’t look.

This is better than prancing in front of that man outside.Since I have no interest in him, why would I look like I was interested?

Right?

Makes no sense.

“What can I get you?” the girl at the counter asks, smiling softly.

“A bottle of water.”

“Ice cold?”

“Yes, please.”

“That’s it?”

She reaches inside the cooler, picks up my drink, and slides the water bottle across the counter while I give her the cash.

“Yes.”

My eyes go to the cookie jar while I'm doing a quick calculation in my head.

“You want one? It’s on the house,” the barista says while my cheeks get warm with embarrassment.

My longing eyes must’ve given me away.

It’s terrible that I salivate over some cranberry chocolate cookie as if a bite of that crumbling deliciousness could fix my life.

“I’ll pay for a dozen cookies for her if you replace my coffee first,” a firm, masculine voice articulates behind me.

I flick my head to the side unnecessarily as the man sliding his iced Americano on the counter overwhelms my senses with his scent.

He smells like coffee, aftershave, ice––my favorite––and unbearable risk.

The arrogance in him.

I don’t need his cookies.

The woman behind the counter blushes just like me only for a different reason.

Sincere apologies peel off her lips.

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