Midnight Muse

I step forward with the line, counting the number of customers that still have to order before it’s our turn. Behind the register is a guy who looks like he would rather be anywhere else, and when I catch sight of the letters stitched into his shirt across the breast pocket, marking him as a frat member, I understand why it’s taking so long.

Behind him are two girls scrambling to keep up with the numerous orders coming their way. Unlike the boy at the register, they seem to be a well-oiled machine back there, dancing around each other as if making cappuccinos and lattes is a graceful waltz. I feel a twang of empathy for them even though they seem like they’re thriving back there. I have no idea how they can memorize the different drink orders, making them as efficiently as they can and giving them to the customers within minutes.

This is the kind of pressure I would crack under.

I turn back to Reid with a playful glare. “Oh, come on. You’re one of the smartest people I know!” I don’t miss the way the tips of his ears turn red with my slew of compliments. “It’s one of your better traits.”

This gets his attention, and he blinks down at me, those opposite-colored eyes unimpressed. “I have bad traits?”

“While your intelligence is admirable, your sketching could use some work.” I poke fun at him, referring to the last time we hung out at my place to work on our projects. Instead, we had spent the night watching a terrible reality show with the bottle of wine he’d brought. Reid had followed me into my room where we were supposed to gather my drawing supplies. He had made a joke that had me laughing so hard I nearly cried.

My stomach ached too much to get up after that, the wine making me boneless in my comfortable bed, so the both of us spent the rest of the night there, joking around and not working on our projects.

Reid quirks a brow. “Is that so? Are you offering to be my model so I can practice?”

It’s my turn to blush now, cheeks hotter than the steaming milk screaming behind the counter. My mouth parts though my tongue is a twisted mess from his flirtatious comment, knotted and thick. I’m not sure how to respond, and I’m saved by a very punctual throat clearing that comes from the frat boy behind the register.

“Are either of you planning on ordering?” He asks lazily, tapping a blunt nail against the register. He’s wearing a backwards cap, copper hair poking out from the sides. His brown eyes drag up and down my body, ignoring Reid’s presence completely and I cringe in response.

I snap my mouth shut, teeth clacking together. So kindly said for a boy who probably has pre-workout and porn coursing through his veins.

Reid ushers me to the counter, apologizing for the both of us. “Sorry about that, man.”

The boy behind the register looks bored, Reid’s apology meaning nothing to him. Frat douche leans forward, flashing his teeth at me in what I assume is supposed to be a charming grin.

It’s anything but.

One of the baristas spins on her heel, gauging the way this asshole is looking at me. Her gaze flicks up to Reid and her eyes widen before her lids lower and she glares daggers, ping-ponging between both boys. They’re dark, hair even darker. Her skin is the color of espresso, and I wonder how she puts up with this guy all day.

A crash draws my attention away from boy’s gross gaze. The second barista is frowning, staring down at the shaker she’s dropped to the floor with a clang. The entirety of the coffee house goes silent for a fleeting moment, everyone stopping to see what’s going on, but within seconds, murmurs wind throughout the space as she swoops down to scoop the shaker from the floor, dumping it into the sink.

The brunette turns back to the boy at the register. “Quit it, Mike,” she barks, a can of whipped cream still poised and ready to add to the Frappuccino in her hand. Those dark eyes flit across mine and her mouth tightens. “Please, excuse him.”

Reid glances at her and seems to calm a little, rolling his shoulders. “Quinn, what would you like to drink?”

“I’ll have a mocha with an extra shot and extra whip,” I nearly spit at the frat boy. “Iced.”

With a soft but firm nudge at my lower back, Reid guides me away from the frat rat at the register. I slide down the counter to the pick-up area while Reid pays for our drinks. He joins me a moment later when I’ve managed to take a few breaths. I won’t let that asshole ruin my mood.

“I’m sorry?—”

“Don’t,” I shake my head, cutting Reid off. “Don’t apologize for him. Thank you, for the coffee.”

“It was the least I could do,” my friend replies easily, smiling at me.

While we wait, I scour the shop for somewhere to sit. Booths are packed full with studying students, miss-matched chairs and tables stacked with people and their friends. It’s a frenzy if I’ve ever seen one, but the coffee house is a sanctuary for university students, especially during the afternoon hours.

By tonight, the shop will be barren, with all of the patrons getting their caffeine fixes through vodka Red Bulls instead.

“You’re taller,” I comment. “Do you see any open spots that I can’t?” I ask, because there should be more seating behind the loitering line I can barely see over.

Reid scans the coffee house as one of the baristas brings our drinks over to the counter. It’s the one with the hazelnut eyes again. She’s staring me down, a harsh look on her face that I can’t decipher if it’s concentration or annoyance. I can’t blame her if it’s either, focused on the tasks at hand, slinging coffees left and right.

She has every right to be annoyed with the customers who ask for thirteen extra shots of syrup or her coworker who apparently doesn’t know how to speak to women. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s made comments to the girls he’s working alongside, but I’m pretty sure that the one who slams our cups onto the counter with a little too much force can hold her own.

I frown, but she’s already turning away, starting the next order.

“There’s a table by the window,” Reid points to the corner of the room. I lead the way, a bounce in my step as I move quickly so no one snatches it.