Coffee Shop

Author's Note: Looking for an illustrator to depict some of the scenes of this story to really bring it to life! Also, leave comments of what you'd like to see happen :)

DISCLAIMER: All characters depicted in this story are 18 years or older.

You push the door of the coffee shop open, and a blast of warm air welcomes you inside. The scent of freshly brewed coffee fills your nose as you look around the cozy shop. It's a typical Friday evening, and the place is packed with people chatting, sipping coffee, and typing away on their laptops. You shrug off your backpack and head over to the counter to start your shift.

As you tie on your apron, you notice a woman sitting alone at a table in the corner of the room. She looks to be in her early thirties, with dark hair, bright blue eyes, and a sharp jawline. She wears a tailored black suit that looks expensive, with a silk blouse and high heels to match. Her eyes scan the room as she sips her coffee, and you can't help but feel drawn to her.

You make your way over to her table, and she looks up at you with a smile. "Hello, can I get you anything else?" you ask, trying to sound professional.

She raises an eyebrow. "Actually, I was hoping you could tell me about the coffee shop. I'm never been here, and I'm looking for a place to meet interesting people."

You grin. "Well, you've definitely come to the right place. We've got all kinds of characters in here. What brings you here?"

She takes a sip of her coffee, studying you over the rim of her cup. "Business. I'm in the restaurant industry. I own a few upscale places in the city."

You nod, impressed. "That's really cool. I'm actually a bit of a foodie myself. What kind of cuisine do you specialize in?"

She leans forward, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I'll have to take you to one of my restaurants and show you."

You feel a flush rise to your cheeks. Is she flirting with you? She's so sophisticated and confident, and you can't help but feel a little intimidated. "That sounds great," you stammer, trying to play it cool.

You chat for a few more minutes, and you learn that her name is Charlotte Montgomery, but she prefers to go by Charlie. She's been divorced for a few years and has no children. As the evening wears on, the coffee shop starts to empty out, and you realize that you've been talking to her for over an hour. You feel a pang of disappointment as she gathers her things to leave.

You take a deep breath and hesitate, unsure of what to do next. Part of you wants to ask her out on a date, but another part of you is afraid of being rejected or making things awkward between you.

As you consider your options, Charlie finishes her coffee and begins to gather her things. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Alex," she says with a smile. "I'll see you around, I'm sure."

You watch as she walks out of the coffee shop, feeling a mix of excitement and disappointment. Part of you wishes you had been brave enough to ask her out, but another part of you knows that you need to be cautious and not rush into anything too quickly.

At this point, you have a choice to make:

A) Take things slow and see if there are more opportunities to get to know Charlie before asking her out.

B) Decide to ask her out the next time you see her, even if it feels a bit risky.