At The Café

“Hey, why don’t we grab a coffee this afternoon?” Cliff suggested, glancing at Ethan, who was focused on a stack of papers, studying them for their next meeting.

Ethan looked up, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t have time for that, Cliff. There’s way too much work to be done, as you can see.”

Cliff laughed, undeterred. “You work too much, man. You're a certified workaholic. Seriously, If there was an award for the hardest worker, it’d go to you, Ethan Cogsworth.”

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head, but Cliff wasn’t about to give up.

“Come on,” Cliff urged, drawing out the words. “It’s this cosy little café I found—La Petite Bean. And, trust me, the staff there are easy on the eyes, if you catch my drift.” He winked, and Ethan rolled his eyes.

“Fine,” Ethan agreed, amused. “We’ll check it out later this afternoon. But I’m going for the coffee, not the ‘eye candy.’ I looked them up just now, and they’ve got good reviews.”

Cliff grinned. “Whatever gets you out of this office works for me.”

Around one-thirty, Ethan and Cliff took a quick drive to the café. Cliff had insisted on a change of scenery, knowing that lunch was a rare, much-needed break for Ethan. As they arrived, Ethan checked his watch, mentally timing their visit out of habit.

As they stepped into La Petite Bean, the rich aroma of coffee welcomed them. Ethan breathed it in, savouring the scent of freshly brewed coffee, and glanced over to see Cliff doing the same, looking completely satisfied. Seeing Cliff so relaxed, Ethan felt himself ease up just a bit.

A server led them to a private booth with a view of the town. As they settled in, Ethan took a moment to take in the café.

His eyes drifted to the counter, where a shiny espresso machine gleamed under the lights. Behind it, a young barista with a friendly smile worked smoothly, making drinks with practised ease. He squinted to read her name tag—Cassandra Peters. Behind her, a chalkboard covered in colourful writing showed off the day’s specials, inviting customers to try something new.

To his right, cosy nooks with mismatched chairs and sofas hinted at conversations shared over countless cups of coffee. The walls were decorated with local art and photos, and small plants softened the space, giving it a warm, inviting feel. The earthy tones of brown, green, and cream, mixed with the natural light streaming through big windows, created a bright yet cosy atmosphere. Soft music and the quiet buzz of conversation filled the room.

The main part of the café was the coffee bar, where the barista, David Beckham, ground freshly roasted beans, filling the air with their rich smell. The shelves were stocked with a variety of options—different kinds of beans, flavoured syrups, and milk alternatives. Nearby, the display case was packed with pastries—flaky croissants, brownies, and colourful muffins. Gale Bryan, the café owner, was known for using local ingredients, with fresh baked goods arriving daily from nearby bakeries.

Cliff nudged Ethan, snapping him out of his thoughts. “You like it here, don’t you?”

Ethan smirked, rolling his eyes. “It’s...not bad. Better than I expected honestly.”

“Told you.” Cliff leaned back, looking pleased with himself for getting Ethan out of his office and into a more relaxed setting.

After a moment, Cliff looked around, noticing the lack of service. “So…are we going to get served anytime soon?”

Ethan smirked, leaning in. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

Across the café, Mary Jane had been doing her best to stay away since the moment Ethan Cogsworth walked in. The whispers and excited glances from other customers made it clear he was someone worth noticing. She tried to keep her focus on other tables, avoiding his side of the café completely. Just when she thought she’d escaped, Gale’s voice called out to her.

“MJ! Could you be a dear and see what Mr. Cogsworth’s table needs?”

Mary froze, a cold wave of dread running through her. Her plans to steer clear had just fallen apart.

“Isn’t there someone else who could do it?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. “I was just about to take my break.”

Gale’s tone grew more stern. “I wouldn’t ask if there were someone else. We’re short-staffed, and it’s rush hour. It wouldn’t be right to keep them waiting.”

Resigned, Mary smoothed her apron, took a steadying breath, and put on her best smile. Grabbing a notepad, she made her way to Ethan’s table, thoughts racing.

“Why me?” she muttered under her breath, out of earshot. “Out of everyone here, why did it have to be me?” She didn’t have much choice, though, and she was determined not to embarrass herself in front of someone so clearly important.