Sometimes you joke.
Sometimes you flirt with them with all the charm and skill of a drunken
pigeon.
But these are the times that make this job bearable.
During these moments, time slows down until they open their mouths.
For a moment you make contact and the world can breathe-but before you can fully appreciate it, they’re gone and the dance roars on.
As soon as you can get any actual time with them they have been whisked away, back into reality, leaving you lonely and wanting for their delightful company.
There were about three of these encounters that happened each day. A handful of regulars who Jacob not only got to know, but had perfected their orders down to a science.
Two were straight, though that didn’t mean he wouldn’t let them do things to him, but the other just seemed to trigger something deep within his soul.
Every time he entered the cafe, Jacob could swear he did so surrounded by a gamut of doves. His tall and strong body filled the frame like a smaller, nicer door. He was the kind of strong who took care of himself, but didn’t go crazy about it. Hissmile was electric with perfect teeth that screamed “definitely not British.” His hair was perfectly shorn to frame his classically handsome visage that was attractive and rugged even without a beard.
Long story short- he was Jacob’s work crush and, in his eyes, Joe was perfect.
He’d been coming into the coffee shop for months, and he never let any one but Jacob prepare his drinks. Once Serena had tried to serve him instead and Jacob was so upset he didn’t talk to her for the rest of the hour.
No, Joe was his customer exclusively.
If that wasn’t true love, Jacob didn’t know what was.
He also didn’t know true love.
“Howdy Joe.” Jacob swooned, wondering why he was suddenly a cowboy.
“Keeping well back there?” Joe responded with a smirk.
“Never.” Jacob chuckled. “You’re just in time. There’s no line.”
“I have a tendency of coming at exactly the right moment. I must be blessed”
“Happy to hear it.” Jacob smiled. He instinctively began making the drink without Joe even needing to ask. Joe was easy. A tall glass of cold brew with a shot of espresso and a little bit of honey to sweeten it up. Sometimes he’d add a sprinkle of cinnamon syrup just to brighten it up a little bit. It was a simple order, but he had got it down to a science.
Their moments together were always short, but there was something different about them.
He always had the biggest smile when Jacob greeted him.
He laughed, sometimes for no reason, just so that the world would be in a better mood.
He always complimented the coffee…Even when it was exactly the same everyday.
In a coffee shop, that’s as close as one can get to love.
Their conversation was quick and basic, and as soon as it had begun, he was already saying goodbye.
Jacob looked to see that Joe had tipped him $5 for the drink. Goddamn, he loved this man.
He watched Joe leave, and for a moment tried to hold onto the feeling of him being there. To capture the impression of him in his brain. As he left, Joe turned around one more time to smile.
“Bye Jacob.” Joe said, and Jacob felt his heart swell with what he hoped wasn’t cholesterol.
“See you later Joe.” Jacob responded, and Joe smiled back.
