Conditional happiness

1

For the better part of my adulthood I have wondered what would happen if I quit my job and just stayed home reading. I know it's unrealistic as my job is what supports my reading in the first place, so I find peace knowing that in my retirement I'll be reading romance novels and bitching with the oldies. The clang of a milk jug hitting the countertop brings me back to the present. The cafe is filling up again, bringing the next wave of customers since the last rush. People line the exposed brick wall, each waiting for their orders to be delivered to them. Pasting my customer service smile on I round the island bench and take my place at the till. I take about 10 orders, most of which are coffees - thank fuck - before leaving the counter with an apologetic smile and promise to be back to prepare the few food and drink orders that came through.

With a toasted croissant in one hand and a green juice in the other I make my way to table 5 and place the glass and plate in-front of the woman sitting there. She peers out from behind the book her face is currently buried in and thanks me profusely.

Recognising the book in her hand as one I just finished I strike up conversation with her, eager to know her opinion. We get to talking and realise that we have two of the most important things in our life in common. Our love for food and reading. I return to work a moment later with her number in hand and a spark of excitement in my chest.

As a hospitality worker I meet my fair share of people, but it's rare to meet someone with shared interests rather than a pissed off customer with nothing but complaints to spare.

The cafe dies down after another half hour so I clear and wipe down all the vacated tables before washing the dishes I collected. I check my watch and realise there are only two hours left of my shift. I'm about to head to the back and organise the new stock when a customer comes in.

We make eye contact and he points to the two person table closest to the door. Understanding his implied question I nod and head towards the station at the side of the store with the cutlery and menus.

Before I can go to the table with a bottle of water and a single glass and menu a soft giggle flies through the air, followed by a loud bark. I look over to the table where the man just sat and notice there is a young girl and puppy racing toward the front counter. The girl grabs a hold of the dogs lead and raises it in the air triumphantly to which the man smiles briefly and gives a gracious round of applause.

She runs back toward him and hands over the lead before pulling out the chair opposite the man and jumps into a seating position. Smiling at the cute interaction I pick up an extra cup and menu and walk over to their table.

As I place the glasses down on the table I catch Maya - my new friend at table 5 - looking over at me. She glances between me and the guy and quirks her eyebrow with a short wink. I shake my head in protest but she returns her attention to her questionably publicly appropriate romance novel with a sly smirk. I turn my attention back to the table I'm serving and ask the girl if she wants anything to drink. She beams up at my and asks for a chocolate milkshake with whipped cream and sprinkles. I return her vibrant smile and jot down her request before turning to the guy opposite her.

I didn't get a chance to analyse his features until now. With his head slightly tilted to the left I have a clear view of his very prominent jawline. My eyes trace the curve of his neck and follow the lines of his throat down to his Adam's apple. The shift of his neck as he faces me draws my attention back up to his caramel coloured eyes that are framed by thick eyebrows and structured cheekbones. To put it simply he looks like the love interest straight from any lighthearted or dark romance novel ever to exist. He blinks with long dark eyelashes that I'm instantly envious of. My sudden switch in emotion triggers my unnaturally kind customer service voice.

"Good morning, can I start you off with anything to drink?"
"I'll take a double shot oat latte thank you" I almost jolt in my spot at his voice. I have never heard such a rough voice sound so smooth. Like gravel grating under car tyres before being doused in a cool shower.

"No worries, I'll be back with your drinks to take your order"
He nods slightly, gliding a hand through soft brown curls. I turn and drop the coffee order off with Max - our star barista - and start making the chocolate milkshake.
A few minutes later I return to the table with their drinks and take their food order. I head to the kitchen out the back and chat with the chefs while they make the kids pancakes and eggs benedict. Michelle, the head chefs kids are in preschool at the moment and she is never short of ridiculous stories about what they are up to. She finishes up her current story about Isabella's run in with the cops at the same time she finishes the food. I run the plates out to the table while planning the rest of my shift.

Maya waves me over once my hands are free and says a quick goodbye.
"It was so lovely meeting you, I'll give you a call sometime this week to meet up."
"Perfect, I can't wait. Expect me to talk your ear off." I respond, stacking her plate and drink as I speak.
"Im counting on it." She walks out, her book tucked neatly under her arm.

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Authors note
Hey everyone and welcome to my first ever story here on Wattpad.
I'm so excited to watch this piece unfold and share it with you all.
Side note: this story may upset or trigger you so please do put yourselves first and stop reading this if you think it has the potential to cause you grief.
I hope those of you that stick with the story can enjoy it.
Please let me know what you want to see in the story and from the characters and I will do my best to incorporate it.
Much love Xx