Page 14 of Classroom Confessions

And by the time I made it into work the next morning, I’d come to the conclusion that maybe it was for the best. Maybe I’d held onto those ideas for too long. Cole’s class came back to me, the probability and statistics scrolling through my mind like a bad dialogue. Trends changed. I needed to be able to go with the flow and not lock myself down with my version of popularity.

The coffee shop door jangled, drawing me out of reliving last night and back to work where I belonged.

Lily approached the counter from where she’d been refilling the grinder with fresh coffee beans. The guy ordered a plain black coffee that Lily filled from the carafe and went on his way.

“Going to be a slow day.” I scrubbed at a stubborn spot on the counter, using the motion to keep myself focused. An idea sparked. I almost reached into my apron pocket for my notebook before letting my hand fall. “You know what, it doesn’t have to be slow. Or boring.” I eyed the clock. “It’s almost time for Robert.”

Lily’s lip curled upward in a snarl. “Ugh. Again?”

“Yep.” Every Friday, like clockwork, Robert Roberts showed up at one p.m. on the dot for a caramel macchiato and a bagel. He always had some new trick up his sleeve, some new joke to tell with a ridiculous punchline that made no sense, then he’d ask Lily out on a date.

She always said no, and he’d go sit in the corner booth and watch her like a lovesick pup for an hour before he left to finish his day at the newspaper office. He was harmless. A bit annoying, but utterly harmless.

“You want to try your exploding whipped cream trick again?” I cocked my head toward the booth where Robert always sat. “He always asks for extra whipped cream. You could leave the canister there for him, act like you’re busy in the back, and let him add it himself.”

Lily’s eyes rounded, her smile stretching wider the longer she thought about it. “Let’s do it.” Still grinning, she ran to the back and started preparing the canister.

A ring at the door brought me to my feet as a whole group of businessmen and women walked in.

“Hi. I was wondering if we could use your shop for a business meeting? Our venue is having issues and sent us here.” A bulky man in a pinstriped suit joined me at the counter. “There’s only eight of us, and we won’t take up more than an hour of your time.”

“As long as you don’t expect us to shut down for you.” Not that it would be a problem. Robert was usually our only customer during the Friday lunch hour. Most people in the near vicinity headed to the food trucks a couple of streets over where they could get decent food and fresh coffee at the same time.

The man nodded, his double chin wagging. “Not a problem. We really appreciate it.”

“If everyone wants to place their order, I’ll bring them over.” I poised myself to scribble down eight individual orders and tried not to think about how we’d pull off the prank now with all these people. They even wanted to use his regular booth for their meeting. “You can pull a couple of tables together if that makes things easier.”

“Oh, no. This is fine.” He shuffled away after ordering a basic latte and dropped his briefcase onto the booth where Robert typically sat.

Lily emerged from the back, took one look at the group, and set the canister aside with a pout. “I’ll start a fresh pot of coffee.” With that, she turned back while I poured coffees and added syrups and blended hot milk into froth. The simple routine of working eased through me. I wasn’t used to having so many customers, and the thrill of it gave me the distraction I needed.

When the door chimed again, I called out, “Be right with you,” without bothering to turn around.

“Take your time.” David’s voice, smooth and rich, drifted over my skin and drew out a smattering of goosebumps.

He shouldn’t be here. What was he doing here?

I fumbled the cup in my hands, catching it before it hit the ground and almost banging my forehead on the counter in my haste.

Chatter from the business group rose in pitch, and another voice joined David’s. “What’s going on?” Robert joined the fray, his nasally whine slicing through the noise.

“Sorry, Robert. You’ll have to pick a different booth today.” I motioned in his general direction, unwilling to turn around and face David until I had myself under control.

“Here’s your macchiato.” Lily walked past me, the generous cup in hand and a smile plastered tightly in place. “I made it myself since I knew you’d be upset about losing your booth.”

“Oh. Well.” Robert stuttered around, his steps faltering when he approached. “I’ll just… take it over there.”

“Great. Thanks for being so understanding.” Lily’s uber sweet voice probably made Robert’s head explode.

He didn’t say a word, even after Lily backed up to me and took the overflowing coffee cup from me. She jerked her chin toward where I knew David stood, his attention squarely between my shoulder blades. I felt his gaze, even though it shouldn’t be possible. The feeling of being studied settled in my bones, but not in the creepy kind of way I sometimes felt when walking down a dark alley.

Drawing myself upright and matching Lily’s smile with one of my own, I turned. “Hi. What can I get for you?”

“Coffee. Two cream, one sugar.” He stood right where I’d thought, with his back to the door and sunlight peppering his silver hair until it shone.

I remembered the texture of it and my nipples peaked. I forgot how to breathe, how to talk, when he reached over the counter and brushed the pad of his thumb over my upper lip. He stuck his thumb into his mouth, licking it clean. “Caramel.”

I’d never been dumbstruck before, but it hit me with the force of a semi truck. I poured his coffee, added the sugar and cream, and slid it toward him.

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