“Good.” He places a hand over his chest and breathes out a relieved breath. “I don’t know what I’d do without my employee who’s always late but also always willing to pick up extra shifts.”
I shake my head and roll my eyes but keep smiling. Archer Roth has quickly become one of my favorite people with his dry humor and infectious smile. His family moved here two years ago from New York, and his parents rapidly opened up a slew of businesses, including Night Owl Coffee. Mr. and Mrs. Roth are in here a few times a week, but they’ve let Archer take the reins in many ways, so I kind of view him as my boss. My boss and friend. Soleil doesn’t understand that concept. She says there’s no way anyone can remain just friends with someone as good-looking as Archer.
Soleil likes to hang out here all day sometimes, using the excuse that she’s doing homework, but I know she’s just trying to get Archer’s attention. I’m pretty sure he knows it too. I just don’t understand why he’s not making any moves. He’s definitely good-looking if you like fair-skinned, tall, skinny guys with light brown eyes that match their hair and an easy smile. The quintessential boy next door, if you will. From an outside perspective, one look at Soleil, with her mile-long legs and a sex appeal that oozes out of her, would have you thinking she’s nowhere near his playing field. Still, once you get to know her, you realize that underneath the bombshell is a colossal nerd that’s compatible with Archer. I think he only sees the bombshell, though, and is blinded to how much she’s attracted to him.
“So, what’s up with the internship? Who’d you get? ESPN?”
“Cruz Media.” I shoot him a look. “Two people got ESPN, though, so they were participating this year.”
“Damn those people.”
“Yes, damn those people.” I laugh. “It’s fine though; Cruz Media personally requested me, and they’re pretty amazing.”
“Personally requested?” Archer raises an eyebrow. “Is this your ex-boyfriend’s family’s company?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think he requested you?”
“No.” I frown. “Of course not. They’re family friends. We go way back. They don’t even know he was ever a boyfriend.”
“Hm.”
“Hm, what?” I place a hand on my hip. “I’m telling you, he had nothing to do with it.”
“What’s your assignment?” He brushes past me when the door opens, and a new customer walks in.
“I don’t have one yet. I’m waiting for the person in charge of the Chapel Hill offices to contact me.”
“Either way, I’m sure it’ll be exciting,” Archer says, pausing to smile at Ms. Roberta, who’s a regular here. “Espresso with a shot of oat milk?”
“You know it.” Ms. Roberta winks and looks over at me as she taps the cardholder to pay. “I haven’t seen you in here on a Monday in a while.”
“I was only working weekends.” I move to fill up the cup in the espresso machine and push it in, clicking the button. I wink at Ms. Roberta, who’s already moving to the other side of the counter. “I’ll be here all week now, though.”
“Oh, what happened? Did Austin quit?”
“Yeah right. Like Austin would quit as long as Misty’s working here,” Archer says with a chuckle.
“He’s still pining over you? Girl, give him a chance!”
“He’s not pining over me,” I say, unable to keep the smile from my face even though this conversation is ridiculous.
“He’s absolutely pining over you.” Archer shoots me a look.
“Whatever. The point is, Austin still works here and I will be here all week,” I say, emphasizing that last bit.
“Most of the week,” Archer says. “You don’t work Friday.”
“True. There’s a rager on Friday that I don’t want to miss,” I say to Ms. Roberta, who blinks at me, shaking her head.
“You do you, honey. You’re only young once.”
I grin as I tap the milk container on the counter, waiting for it to set, and start pouring it in slowly, in the shape of a leaf. It’s something I mastered from Archer, who can create almost anything. We have a few little stencils we can use to draw with cinnamon powder, but using milk is definitely a favorite of mine. It’s greatly satisfying to see the shapes come to life, even knowing they’ll disappear the moment the customer takes a few sips. The smile on their faces, though, is priceless. Ms. Roberta rewards me with a big smile as she takes the mug and thanks me, walking away to her usual table in the corner.
“I’m surprised Soleil isn’t here,” Archer says.
“I’m surprised you notice considering that when she is here you completely ignore her.” I raise an eyebrow. “Are you ever going to ask her out?”
“I’ll ask her out when you go out with Austin.” He raises an eyebrow back at me.
“This is a completely different situation. Soleil is into you and you’re into her. Austin is just a friend.”