Page 4 of A Coffee Away

“Then let me get to know you.” His hand moved closer across the sand, but he made a fist and propped it on his knee. He leaned his face sideways over his arm and looked at me. “Look, I never run around here, but today I decided to come. I usually don’t notice anyone, but I noticed you.” He chuckled. “Man, I’m impressed you haven’t run away from me yet. I must sound crazy.”

I smiled. “I was asking myself the same thing.”

His eyes drifted to my lips, and the night turned warmer. “Smile again.”

I widened my eyes at the intensity of his tone. At his demand. I shivered, and goosebumps rose down the side closer to him, as if his eyes could touch me. I took a deep breath and glanced away. “Why should I?”

“Because it’s beautiful.”

My heart stammered, and, for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

He fixed a wild tress behind my right ear, and my whole body awoke.

“I don’t know what happened to you, but I’d love to know if you’re willing to trust me.” His voice was husky yet tender at the same time.

He straightened. “Fuck, I haven’t even told you my name.” He offered his hand, and I took it. “I’m Esteban. Nice to meet you, Robbie.”

His grip was strong. His hand was bigger than mine, and a sense of protection permeated through his touch. My body ignited.

I pushed the feeling away. “Nice to meet you.”

His presence was warm, and I couldn’t help but stare.

He let go of me. “Now that we know each other, why don’t we talk? Maybe I can convince you of your worth. Maybe the next time you paint on a canvas it will be of this night. A night I’m sure I’ll never forget.”

I gasped, then interlaced my hands over my knees and bent over them, unable to keep his stare. A night he’ll never forget? Fuck. I sure as hell wouldn’t either. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that conversation.”

Esteban took something from his pocket.

“Here.” He offered me a business card.

I lifted it up to the light behind us. I stared at the coffee-shop logo, a circle with a hand holding a cup of coffee, “A Coffee Away” written around it. It was a coffee shop in Miramar. I hadn’t been there but heard it was good. “Why would you give me this?”

He lifted the corners of his lips in a mischievous smile. “Maybe you’ll feel like talking tomorrow.”

My insides fluttered at the playfulness in his voice.

He winked. “Meet me for coffee. My shift ends at 11:00 a.m.”

Was he a barista? A server?

“I’m a barista,” he said, as if reading my mind. “So you’ll be there?” His smile grew.

I nodded. I wanted to see him again. Maybe tomorrow I’d be more at ease, but today my head was a mess. My thoughts too dark.

“Then it’s settled. Tomorrow at eleven.”

I took a deep breath as I remembered my parents. “Shit. I forgot I have mass tomorrow.”

Esteban gazed toward the ocean. “We can meet later if you want. I usually go to the Miramar Food Truck Park to have lunch.”

But I didn’t want that. I wanted to skip church and the whole damn brunch. I had to tell my parents the truth, and part of that truth was I didn’t share their beliefs. Maybe it was time to take that first step toward freedom. “No, I’ll tell my parents I won’t go. I’ll be at the café at eleven.”

He furrowed his brow. “Your parents? You still live with them?”

I bit my lower lip. “I…I’m planning to move, but I just graduated and need a job to do so. I’m sorry.”

He looked older than me, and it was embarrassing enough to still live with my parents.