Nathan sat in his lifted,
black F-150,
drumming his thumb
along the steering wheel
to Jodeci’s Cry For Me
playing on the radio.
Nathan waited his turn
to order a fall blended coffee
at Mocha’s Espresso.
The maroon paint with white
trim gave the shop the barn vibe
with an animal inside that he’d
like to ride.
Nathan’s heart ached
for a woman he’d paid
attention to only in his dreams.
But the led stops with his foot
on the brakes to take a break
and speak her love language.
Alicia. That’s her name.
His best friend, Josh,
had a foster sister
Nathan would tease
but she was the tease.
Alicia had her way with his
thoughts even after all
these years.
Nathan twisted a knob
and fluid hit the windshield
mingling with a hint of suds.
The wipers moved
the soggy gold and red leaves,
leaving behind a trail
of glistening droplets.
Nathan lifted his gaze,
and a barista, clear as crystal,
on a winter’s day, had her deep
blue eyes trained on him.
Nathan feigned ignorance
of her name and heart-shaped face,
and he was next in line.
The woman’s long,
red hair spiraled
to the small of her back.
Nathan knew the woman
but wouldn’t say her name
until she said his.
She had a black Hurly T-shirt
with torn skinny jeans.
He’d never seen lipstick this red.
Nathan shrieked
when someone behind
laid on their horn.
Nathan snapped back
to reality.
He scratched the back of his neck
and moved to the window.
Nathan reached to lower the radio volume.
The redhead opened the window
and leaned against the edge.
A haze of coffee and syrup spilled
out the window into his nostrils.
“What can I get for you?” she said, twisting a strand of her hair around her finger.
Nathan kept his eyes above her neckline.
“A tall mocha,” Nathan said.
The woman squinted. “I know you.”
“From where?” Nathan tried to retrace his footsteps, but his thoughts returned no results.
She moved to make the drink and chatted over the wincing
and snapping of the espresso machine.
“Does Josh ring a bell?” she said over soft pop
on the stereo.
Nathan’s stiff gaze into a soft embrace
with her eyes.
“Remember?” She shot him a glance and returned to the drink. She poured dark coffee and white chocolate into a cup and stirred the drink with a spoon. She fit a lid and a brown sleeve over the autumn-themed cup.
“Alicia?” Nathan said. “His foster sister?”
“In the flesh,” she said.
“I thought you left town.”
“I returned six months ago. I thought I wasn’t wanted around here,” Alicia said. “I moved to Oregon after high school.” Alicia laughed as though the thought reminded her why she returned to Washington. “But Dad gave me some money to open the shop, and I can’t complain.”
“I manage a Car Enterprise,” Nathan said. “The pay isn’t bad.”
“Mom told me.” She blushed. “I’ve never seen you here before.”
“I usually go to Starbucks, but construction led me this way.”
Cars honked behind Nathan.
Alicia leaned out the window and motioned the cars to the other window for her employees to serve.
“I had the biggest crush on you,” Alicia said, her voice lowered.
Nathan paid for the drink and told her to keep the change.
“That’s weird,” Nathan said.
“What?” Alicia wiped her hands on a white towel.
“I’ve always had a crush on you, too,” he said. “We graduated from high school in ’98, and I thought you’d have a family by now.”
“I’m taking applications,” Alicia said, laughing.
“I will work for love,” Nathan said. “I don’t have any references, but Josh can vouch for me.” Nathan winked. “Hell, your mom can tell you I’m crazy about you.”
“You got the job.” Alicia reached out her soft hand with red fingernails. “Congratulations.” Nathan shook her hand.
“I’ve been stalking your social media.”
“That’s a little strange, but I’ve been looking at your pictures and single status weekly,” Nathan said. “I talk to your mom about you. I’ve dreamt of this coming true.
“Let’s see it through,” Alicia said.
“Hold on,” Nathan said, driving to the parking lot. He looked in the sun visor mirror and moved his thick, dark hair into place. He fixed his Polo collar, exited the car, and entered the shop. Before anyone said a word, Nathan kissed her luscious lips as if they were dancing and no one was watching.
People clapped as though the credits in a romance had rolled.