You weren’t expecting your first day on the job to be so hectic. The coffee shop was buzzing with energy as people came in and out with their distinct orders. It was just you and two other girls working the morning shift today; one with the baked goods, one with the coffee machines, and you taking the orders.
To say you were overwhelmed would be the understatement of the day. With each order, you hoped that you wrote it down correctly and spelled the name right. Getting chewed out by a customer on the first day would definitely not look good on your future resumes.
The morning was just starting to slow down when the bell on the door rang loudly as it slammed open, a man scurrying up to the register. Judging by the disheveled-ness of his clothes and hair–and by the fact of him breathing like he just ran an entire mile–you could tell that he must be running late.
“Sorry, I’m in a bit of a rush this morning. I would like a coffee with just a bit of cream and sugar, please,” the man apologized, placing his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.
You offered him an understanding smile as you wrote down his order. “I completely understand. That would be two-thirty please. What’s the name for the order?” You question, looking back up from the register to meet his eyes.
“Oh, uh, Steven. Steven Grant,” he answered, digging out some money from his pocket to pay. His nose scrunched up slightly as he placed it on the counter. “I don’t suppose you need my last name, do you? Sorry ‘bout that,” he chuckled nervously.
You laughed quietly under your breath as you shook your head. “It’s all good. Your order should be ready within a couple minutes,” you tell him, directing him to the waiting area with a nod of your head. He shot you a small smile before making his way over with the remaining customers.
Just like you had said, his order was ready a few minutes later. You shouted his name to alert him of his finished drink, and he was quick to retrieve it from you, a “thank you” leaving his lips as he stepped away.
He only made it a couple steps before he stopped, studying the side of his cup. Your heart started to beat a little faster as he walked back up to you, still looking at his cup of coffee. There was no way you had already messed up an order within the first couple hours of your first day.
“Hey, sorry to bother you again, but you spelled my name wrong,” he informs you, pointing to where you had put a “ph” in his name. “It’s actually Steven with a v,” he adds.
“Oh, I’m sorry! I’ll be sure to spell it right next time,” you smile apologetically, internally sighing with relief. At least his order wasn’t wrong.
Steven looks slightly taken aback, like he wasn’t really expecting you to care about his misspelled name. He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped when his eyes landed on the clock on the wall. “No worries. Have a good rest of your morning,” he bided farewell before turning and hurrying out the shop, off to where you guessed he was running late to.
Well, your first day could have been way worse.
☾ ☾ ☾
It was a few days later when you saw Steven again. The shop wasn’t as busy as it had been, this morning slow compared to the others. There were only a few people in line at the moment, including Steven.
You greeted him with a smile when it was finally his turn. “Hey, Steven with v, right?” You say, already writing down his name, correctly this time.
Steven’s eyes widened slightly before a small smile graced his features. “Yeah, yeah you’re right,” he replied somewhat sheepishly, brushing away the fallen curls on his forehead as he avoided your eyes. You watched him expectantly, waiting for him to continue. When he finally looked back at you, he straightened up, as if remembering why he was there. “Oh, yeah, the coffee! Right, sorry, uh, just a regular with cream and sugar please,” he ordered, scratching the back of his neck.
Laughing softly, you put his order in. “That’ll be two-thirty. I’ll have it out to you shortly,” you tell him. He hands you the needed amount, thanking you before making his way to the waiting area.
You watch him closely this time when he takes his finished order, seeing when he checks the name. A small chuckle leaves his lips as he looks back up at you. “‘Steven with a v.’ Ver–that’s very clever,” he laughs, holding the drink out towards you. “Cheers!” Steven calls out, taking a sip of the drink before walking out, waving at you one last time before he was out of view.
You couldn’t help the smile that was on your lips as you watched him go, biting your lip as you tried to focus back on your work.
☾ ☾ ☾
Steven became one of your regulars, your favorite one in fact. As soon as you would see him walk in the door, you would already put his order in, always putting it as “Steven with a v.” Every time, he would grace you with that soft smile of his as he read it on the side of his beverage.
On the days when you could get away and he had time to kill, you would sit in one of the booths, chatting about anything and everything. You learned that he worked at the museum a few blocks away and that he loved Egyptology. He was practically an expert in that subject. If it was up to you, he would be a tour guide and not a gift shoppist. Donna better hope that she never crossed you.
You told him about how you were new in town and how you could be an insomniac, which was something you bonded over because of his own sleeping disorder. He didn’t like talking too much on the matter, so you wouldn’t push it.
You even convinced your manager to introduce a vegan bagel to your baked goods, getting Steven to be the first to try it. You wished you could have taken a picture of the way his eyes lightened up when you told him about the new edition that was inspired by him.
Even though you didn’t want to admit it, you had started developing a small crush on Steven Grant. How could you not? He was sweet, polite, caring, and absolutely handsome. Yes, he could be awkward at times, but that just made you care about him even more.
Your coworkers teased you all the time for falling for the awkward nerd. They all apparently had bets on when he would finally ask you out, which would always make your face warm everytime it was brought up. Just because he looked at you so softly all the time didn’t mean he felt the same way, right?
However, it had been a few days since you had last seen Steven and you were starting to worry. He always came and saw you on the days you were working, even on the days when he wasn’t working at the museum. You cursed at yourself for never working up the nerve to ask for his number. You just had to pray that he was okay and that he would show back up eventually.
You were just finishing up your shift when you heard the bell ring as the door opened to the shop. Your eyes immediately met Steven’s as soon as you looked up, his hands wringing together nervously in front of him.
“Steven? Where have you be–”
“Yeah, sorry, I just… It’s been real bonkers these past few days,” he cuts you off, sounding defeated as he rubbed the back of his neck.
You bit your lip as you watched him, rounding the counter so you could stand in front of him. Crossing your arms across your chest, you looked him over, taking in the dark circles under his eyes and his unruly hair. Hesitantly, you reached up and brushed a few curls out of his face.
Steven sighed, his shoulders dropping slightly. “I didn’t mean to worry you, love,” he says, the endearment new to you. You didn’t know if you hated or loved the way your heart fluttered when he said it.
“It’s okay. Just don’t do it again,” you tell him, jokingly chastising him. Steven nodded, his face softening some. Your eyes caught sight of the clock, noticing that he would be late to work soon. “Could I get you a coffee before work?” You question, already making your way back behind the counter.
Steven nodded, noticing the time himself. He wasn’t looking forward to having to do inventory tonight, but Donna didn’t really give him a choice. You were quick with his order, stopping him when he reached for his wallet.
“On the house. You better go before Donna gives you another inventory night,” you tell him, offering him a small smile. Steven thanked you, taking a deep breath before braving his trek to the museum, waving to you before he walked out the door.
Looking down at his coffee, Steven saw something else scribbled under his name. Once he realized what it was, he was sure he looked like a bloody fool as he stood in the middle of the busy street with his cheeks blushed and a stupid grin on his face.
Steven with a v. Next time, call me.
He almost dropped his phone as he put your number in.