Page 13 of Sidelined Love

“Next!” Hailey calls out in a bored voice without looking up.

I debate getting into the line, but it would mean that I would have to wait even longer for a chance to talk to her. When I reach my decision, I know it's not right, but my patience is wearing thin.

“Can you get in line for me? I'll meet you at the front.” Before Asher can protest, I walk away with only one destination in my sights.

My gaze is fixed on Hailey as I approach, but she still doesn't look up. She's scribbling on a cup, clearly focusing on the job at hand and not the distraction that is about to land in her lap.

I lean against the counter, clearing my throat loudly. “Good morning, Hailey.”

Her head jerks up, eyes widening in surprise. “Uh, hi. There's a line, you know.” She briefly gestures to the queue of people.

“Oh, I know. I'm not ordering yet. I wanted to come say hi.” I don’t tell her I'm doing this because it allows me to talk to her longer than I would be able to if I just waited in line for her to take my order. “How's your day going?”

Her hazel eyes meet mine. “Same stuff, different day,” she shoots back without missing a beat.

“Rough crowd today?” I ask, and I eagerly await her response.

“If by rough, you mean they want coffee and they want it now, then yes. Do I have to remind you again that there is a line, and you need to be in it?”

“Ah, but you handle it with such grace,” I say, ignoring what she said about me skipping the line. Instead, I lean forward on my elbows, trying to catch her eye. “You're like the barista equivalent of a ballet dancer. With zero cheer or happiness.”

“Flattery will get you your coffee, but not any faster, especially if you're trying to skip a bunch of people to get served first. I don't care who you are or what team you play for,” she responds, though the corner of her mouth twitches.

Warmth spreads through me because I almost got her to smile. “Fair enough.” I chuckle, tilting my head to catch her eye again. Her smart-ass answers are funny and make me want to know what's beyond the sarcasm she likes to toss around.

But that isn't the only thing keeping me captivated. Hailey turns around and my eyes are instantly drawn to her body. The apron she has on does its best to hide her curves, but as soon asher back is to me, I notice the way the yoga pants she decided to wear today are molded to her ass as though made specifically for her.

It is too early for me to be staring at her body like this. I need to focus on hockey practice that is occurring in less than an hour, but I can't tear my eyes away.

What I wish I had a front-row seat to is her breasts, but they are hidden beneath her shirt and the apron. Perhaps one day I will be lucky enough to see and caress them, but for now, my imagination will have to be enough.

By the time she turns back around, my gaze is focused back on her face, leaving her none the wiser about the thoughts I'm having about her.

“By the way, I wouldn't use my status to skip the line. I'd use it to find out more about you.”

She snorts and rolls her eyes. “Good to know. I'll file that away for never gonna happen.”

“That sounds like a challenge to me.” I run a hand through my hair as I enjoy the banter between us.

She shakes her head and although I’m sure she would never admit it, there's a hint of amusement in her eyes. It's the first time I've seen her look at me with anything other than annoyance, and it makes me feel oddly victorious and happy. This back-and-forth with her feels fresh and new, as if it is something I've been missing and didn't know it. I like this feeling.

Hailey waves another customer forward, but her attention is still firmly on me. “You know, I'm not even sure why you're here.”

“Oh?” I say as I wait for her to expound on her point.

Hailey stops what she's doing and looks me right in the eye before she says, “Based on my very limited interactions with you,I'm convinced you don't even need any coffee. You have enough energy in the morning to power the sun.”

I can't help but chuckle. “I've been told that a time or two.”

As I wait for her to respond, I have to bite my tongue from appearing overly excited. I want to extend this moment of casual banter with Hailey, but deep down, I know this isn't the time or place. But there is an ease in our conversation that’s different from last time, and I find myself wanting to linger in it.

As Hailey is about to say something, one of her coworkers calls out to her from the other end of the counter. “Hailey, can you give me a hand here?”

She glances over her shoulder, a hint of annoyance flickering across her face. “Sure, just a sec, Ben.” She then turns back to me, but now her face shows complete indifference. “Duty calls.”

I nod, choosing to mask up my disappointment with a shrug. “Understandably.”

As Hailey walks away to assist her coworker, I notice Asher, who is a few people away from me in line, looking amused. He raises an eyebrow at me, but I know he's enjoying watching me interact with the barista that has caught my eye.

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