2. Coffee shop AU
The coffee shop near Long Beach was unassuming—a cozy, hole-in-the-wall spot that smelled of fresh pastries and roasted beans. The bell above the door jingled softly as Piper McLean stepped inside, sunglasses perched on her nose and a baseball cap pulled low. She tugged her scarf tighter around her neck, not because it was cold, but because the gesture made her feel safer, less exposed.
The paparazzi had finally left her alone after her latest movie premiere. She had slipped away to Long Beach, hoping for some solitude. This coffee shop—“Strawberry Brews,” according to the rustic wooden sign outside—had caught her eye as she wandered aimlessly.
The place was quaint. Worn books lined the shelves on the back wall, and mismatched furniture gave it an eclectic charm. There were only a few customers, most of them hunched over laptops or sketchbooks. Piper made her way to the counter, scanning the chalkboard menu.
“Looking for something specific?”
The voice startled her, smooth and calm but tinged with amusement. Piper glanced up and froze.
The barista was stunning. Blonde hair pulled back into a messy bun, sharp gray eyes that seemed to see right through her, and a dusting of freckles across her nose. She wore a black apron over a simple white shirt, her name tag reading Annabeth.
Piper blinked, realizing she’d been silent for too long. “Uh…yeah. I mean, no. Just…surprise me?”
Annabeth’s lips quirked into a small smile, but she didn’t press further. “I’ll make you something good. Trust me.”
Piper nodded, watching as Annabeth moved with practiced ease, steaming milk and pouring espresso like it was an art form. She couldn’t help but notice the concentration on her face, the way her brow furrowed slightly as she worked.
When Annabeth slid the cup across the counter, it came with a swirl of foam art—a little owl perched on a branch.
Piper’s eyebrows shot up. “Wow. Fancy.”
Annabeth shrugged, though there was a faint pink hue on her cheeks. “Just a little hobby.”
Piper took a sip, and the warmth of the coffee spread through her like a hug. “This is amazing.”
“Glad you like it.” Annabeth hesitated, her eyes flicking to Piper’s hat and sunglasses. “You look familiar. Have we met before?”
Piper stiffened slightly but tried to play it cool. “Nope. Just a regular coffee lover.”
Annabeth tilted her head, unconvinced but not pressing. “Alright. Let me know if you need anything else.”
Piper found a corner table and pulled out her notebook, pretending to write while sneaking glances at Annabeth. Something about her felt grounding, like she belonged in this little coffee shop, far removed from the chaos of Piper’s life.
Over the next week, Piper found herself returning to Strawberry Brews every morning. She didn’t know why—okay, maybe she did. The coffee was great, sure, but Annabeth? Annabeth was magnetic. They’d chat briefly each time Piper ordered, and though Annabeth didn’t pry into Piper’s life, her curiosity was clear.
One afternoon, Piper walked in to find the shop nearly empty. Annabeth was behind the counter, wiping down the espresso machine. When she looked up and saw Piper, her face lit up with a smile that made Piper’s heart stutter.
“Back again?” Annabeth teased.
“What can I say?” Piper said with a smirk. “Your coffee’s addictive.”
“And here I thought it was my charming personality.”
Piper laughed, leaning against the counter. “That too.”
Annabeth leaned closer, her gray eyes sparkling. “So, are you going to tell me your name, or should I just keep calling you ‘Owl Latte’ in my head?”
Piper froze, caught between surprise and amusement. “You have a nickname for me?”
“Maybe,” Annabeth said, her smile playful.
Piper hesitated for a moment, then pushed her sunglasses up onto her head, revealing her face fully. “It’s Piper. Piper McLean.”
Annabeth’s eyebrows lifted slightly in recognition. “The actress?”
“Guilty.” Piper shrugged, trying to gauge Annabeth’s reaction. “That a problem?”
Annabeth leaned back, crossing her arms. “Not unless you start demanding VIP treatment.”
Piper grinned. “Don’t worry. I’m just here for the coffee.”
“And the barista,” Annabeth added, her tone light but her gaze steady.
Piper’s cheeks warmed, but she didn’t look away. “Maybe.”
The days turned into weeks, and Piper kept coming back. Their conversations grew longer, their smiles softer, their teasing more personal. Piper learned that Annabeth was an architecture grad student who worked at Strawberry Brews part-time, and Annabeth learned that Piper hated the pressure of Hollywood but loved storytelling too much to walk away.
One quiet evening, after Annabeth’s shift had ended, they sat together at one of the tables, sipping lukewarm coffee and watching the sunset through the shop’s window.
“I don’t usually stick around anywhere for this long,” Piper admitted, tracing circles on her coffee cup.
Annabeth glanced at her, her gray eyes thoughtful. “Why here?”
Piper smiled, the kind that reached her eyes. “Because of you.”
Annabeth blinked, surprised, but then her expression softened. “Well, I guess I’ll have to keep making your coffee, then.”
“Guess you will.”
The air between them was warm, filled with unspoken promises. And as the sun dipped below the horizon, Piper realized that she’d finally found a little corner of peace in the world—a place where she didn’t have to be a star, just a girl falling for someone extraordinary.