An intense feeling of discomfort courses through my body as she confirms that she’s unavailable. I always knew she had a boyfriend, but hearing it from her own lips still hurts.
“Of course you can wait here. Roman was just studying but he can move his things into the back.”
“No. No, it’s fine. He can stay out here. I don’t mind.”
Turning to Aunt Maggie I assure her that I’ll stay with Melanie so she’s not alone. As she stalks off toward the back, I wave my hands, motioning for her to stay back there and not resurface until I say so. After she exits, I see Melanie sending a text message with her hair wrapped in the towel. A soft smile threatens to show but I hold it in, not ready to show my feelings.
After she sends the text, she glances at the textbook. “So, physics, huh?”
Sitting down at the table across from her, I close the book. “Yeah, finals.”
“You don’t go to Lehman do you? I know it’s a huge school with over four thousand students, but I’ve never seen you there.”
My head shakes in response. “No, I attend Mount St. Michael in Yonkers.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of it. The all-boys school.”
Embarrassed, I glance outside at the pouring rain. “Yeah, my uncle went there and he loved it, so it’s sort of a family thing, I guess.”
“That’s right. Your aunt and uncle own this place. I remember now.”
I smile at her recognition and notice she begins to shiver. “Hey, are you cold? I can make a fresh batch of coffee.”
“No, I’m okay.”
“Are you sure? It’s no trouble.”
Nervous to accept, she bites her bottom lip. “Um okay, but only if you have some as well. I don’t want you wasting a whole pot on me.”
I race to the coffee machine to start a fresh batch and within minutes, it’s ready. I catch her glancing at her phone and then out the window. “How do you like your coffee?”
“Light and sweet please. Thank you.”
I grab two mugs from the cabinet and pour French vanilla coffee into them. The aroma immediately hits my senses and warms my body. I bend down to open the pastry case and grab a small sliver of pound cake. I always have pound cake with my coffee. It just makes it taste better, and I grab an extra piece for Melanie just in case.
Carefully placing the mugs on the table, I grab a couple napkins for us. Melanie notices the pound cake and her eyes grow wide. “Oh,
I love pound cake with my coffee! Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I hope the coffee tastes good. If you need me to add cream or sugar, just let me know.”
Watching her take the mug and sip it slowly practically causes me to stroke out. Just seeing her has my nerves and emotions all over the place. I don’t know what it is about this girl, but I am completely done for. If I didn’t consciously compose myself every other second, I’m pretty sure my body would be mush whenever she’s around.
I watch her continue to drink the warm coffee and she closes her eyes, allowing the heat to warm her up. Once she begins to warm, she opens her eyes, offering me a smile. “It’s perfect.”
“Good.”
Her hand reaches across the table toward me. “By the way, I’m Melanie.”
I take her hand in mine and squeeze softly as we shake hands. “I’m Roman.”
“I know.”
My brow arches as she chuckles, motioning toward the back of the bakery. “Your aunt. She kept saying your name.”
Shaking away my stupidity, we let go of each other’s hands. “Oh yeah, that’s right.”
“So you’re a senior at Mount St. Michael?”