Page 41 of Grump and Grumpier

“What’s that?”

“We’re trying out a new blonde roast today. Derek and Jansen want to get everyone’s feedback.”

“Oh …” I know I’m not required to try it, but ever since my interlude with the men in the coffee-scented storage room downstairs, the aroma in the break room, with its freshly-ground beans, has been doing funny little things to my belly, as I remember how the men made me feel that day. “I guess I’ll try some.”

She reaches for a cup. “How do you like it?”

I glance at the screen, hoping options will appearso I can sound like I know what I’m talking about, but it’s just displaying size selection. “I’m in the mood to try something new. What’s your go-to?” I ask.

“I’m a girl who likes a little coffee with my cream and sugar, so I usually have a latte and add a lot of syrup.”

“Sure, a latte. That sounds good.”

People around me are sipping their morning beverages and talking about how they spent New Year’s Eve. Several of them went to special events and parties, and I’m grateful when no one questions me, because I spent the night at home reading.

“Do you want vanilla or caramel or …?” Gloria gestures to the rack of syrups, where there are several more options, but I opt for vanilla.

When she hands me the drink, I thank her and inhale the scent of it before taking a small sip. My pussy clenches as I remember my bosses fucking me so good up against that storage room wall that I was walking funny the next day. How odd is it to get turned on by the scent of coffee?

“Oh, this is good,” I say, surprised.

“Right?” Gloria says, sounding excited. “This new roast is going to be a great addition to our line.”

I meander back to my office, greeting people along the way, and stopping a couple of times to take more sips of my drink. Apparently, I’ve been missing out by not trying a latte sooner, because allthis milk and sweet syrup makes a really tasty drink.

As the morning goes along, I find myself being extremely productive, but I suppose that’s typical after having time off. I feel refreshed and eager to tackle more goals during the remainder of my time here at Community Bean.

At lunch, the break room is busier than usual, with several people brewing more of the new coffee. I see a lot of the same energy and enthusiasm I’m feeling reflected in others, and maybe it’s the shared excitement of the new year.

On the way back to my desk, I hear strange sounds and identify them immediately. It’s Rob, singing, though it’s very different from before. He sounds like he’s having a fight with someone … in a vaguely rhythmic way. “I want to kill you … I’m going to smash you … you’re gonna die, die, die, motherfu–”

Before I can reach him to put a stop to his singing, two other people’s heads pop over the wall near his cubicle and yell, “Shut up!” at the same time.

Then Rob’s standing, too, yelling back at the people who complained. “You can’t talk to me that way!”

I’m afraid they’re about to get into a fight, but luckily, Charles hurries over from the other direction and gets involved, calling for everyone to calm down.

Since telling someone to calm down can sometimes have the opposite effect, I hurry over, ready to help diffuse the situation. I tell Rob that he probably didn’t realize how loud he was being, and to my relief, he mumbles an apology, sits back down, and returns to his work.

Once Rob’s back is turned, Charles shakes his head, more in irritation than amusement, even though the situation is pretty ridiculous. Rob must have the most eclectic playlists in existence.

“People need to calm down,” Charles mutters.

“Yeah, thanks for stepping in so quickly.”

He leans against the wall a few spaces down, appearing to settle in to talk. “Sure. Hey, you were off last week, weren’t you, Ana? How were your holidays?”

“Good. How about you?”

“Good, though I worked in between. It was quiet here, though.”

There’s a long beat of silence, and I fill it with questions about how his department’s doing and how they’re keeping up with project demands. He answers me, but the conversation is stilted, and he looks at me in a way that makes me vaguely uncomfortable, though even after knowing him for a couple of months now, I still can’t tell if he’s flirting or just interacts a bit differently than others do. After a fewlong minutes, I bring the discussion to an end and return to my office.

The next time I’m out in the wider office space, the buzz of energy persists. People seem to be moving faster, talking more, and are just generally busier than ever. As I’m walking up the aisle to return to my desk, someone bumps me as they rush past. It’s Imani, and as she hurries by, she calls out, “Watch where you’re going.”

Jackie sees the exchange and my bewilderment as Imani, a person I would have named as among the nicest in the office, leaves me in her dust.

“What’s going on today?”

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