Lipstick & Lattes Read online

“What do you sell? Not golf lessons, I hope.”

  “Ha, ha.” I swing my club near him as though I plan on hitting him with it. “I work at one of the makeup counters at the mall.”

  “Oh, so you spray perfume on people so they can’t breathe or see? Are you like Joey in that episode of Friends when he is a cologne spritzer?”

  I really love make up and transforming people but this misconception people have drives me nuts. “Not everybody can put on make up and people come to my station every day to learn how. And for your information I have never sprayed a bottle of perfume at anybody my entire career.”

  We’re on the thirteenth hole which is a bit more difficult and a par three. Ed concentrates on his swing, sticking his butt out as he perfects his stance. Not too bad if I might say so. He swings and the ball veers off to the right which is the complete opposite of where the hole is.

  “Oh, that’s too bad!” I snap my fingers and he grunts. I slide past him and hit the ball, almost achieving a hole in one. “Besides, the mall thing is my income until I can break into what I really want to do.”

  “Which is?”

  The question of the year. What exactly is it that I want to do? “Not this. I always thought I would work in theater. That was my forte in high school. I loved helping with setting up the stage and make up for the actors.”

  “So you want to move to Hollywood and work with celebrities.” He says this with such intention as though this is exactly what I should be doing and there’s no question in his mind. He answers like he’s repeating what I said, but he’s not.

  “No. I have no plans to move. As much as I could do without the winters, I like it here. My family is here. Sometimes I think it would be cool to work in a local theater, but I need a whole new degree for that. Unless someone is willing to take a chance on me.”

  “I hear that, but sometimes you have to be the one to create the opportunity for yourself.”

  I wonder if he knows Josie, and they had a conversation before we got together. I swear this is her speaking through him. I’m twenty-seven years old, and I don’t even have a career yet. There are people younger than me changing the world, and I split rent with somebody and work in the mall.

  I sink the ball at hole fourteen. I’m ready to move on from this topic. “What do you do? Just serve coffee?” If he thinks I just put make up on people, then I’m sure he just serves coffee. And barely, at that.

  “Oh, I rarely serve the coffee there and that’s why I didn’t know what I was doing.” He follows my lead with a hole in one. I’m certain I’ll never catch up and should just give up at this point.

  “If you rarely work the coffee counter, then why were you there? To spill my coffee on purpose?” Now it’s my turn to wink at him. He licks his lips and grins. I like this vibe between us. I don’t think he’s as serious as I thought he was. He’s got a fun side to him. I can’t wait to see more.

  “I actually own the place.”

  The club flies out of my hand and lands in a bush opposite me. Ed breaks into a laugh and covers his mouth so I can’t see him smiling. My throat tightens up as I retrieve my club. “I had no idea.” The words manage to come out, but I’m embarrassed at everything I’ve said. He has every right at this point to turn around and walk out on me. Leave it to me to put my foot in my mouth.

  He doesn’t seem bothered by what I said. “It’s not like I can’t pour a cup of coffee. Leann called in last-minute and the line was already starting. I got a little freaked out you could say. My head wasn’t wear it should’ve been. Then you walked in and…”

  He straightens his stance as the sentence trails off. He’s stiff as he putts the ball, and it hops right over the hole. A tough loss for him as that should have been an easy shot.

  “And what? I walked in and what?”

  I want to hear the end of this. What words are missing? Did I ruin his day? Did I make the line longer with my caffeine demands?

  He cocks his head, his eyes moving up and down my body. My breathing increases as I await the response. If I were a few feet closer to him, now be the perfect opportunity to lean in and kiss him. “Things got a little crazy, I guess.”

  I let the air out of my lungs, relieved he didn’t say I ruined his day, but also a tad disappointed he didn’t say I made it any better. I push the thought of my lips on his away. My hormones are getting the best of me, and I don’t want them to run this date. “How long have you owned it?”

  He gazes into the sky and taps his foot. “Twelve years now.” He says this almost as a question and as though he is surprised as well.

  We move onto the last hole, and I’m trying hard not to ask him how old he actually is. Age really isn’t too important, but I’m definitely curious. Twelve years ago, I was only fifteen, my best friend was Carrie Goldberg, Nick and Jessica were still together, and I was discovering how much I loved to work in theater during my high school production of The Wizard of Oz. My daily goal was to finish my homework so I could hang out with my friends. Ed was opening a business. “How old were you when you opened it?”

  “Twenty-three. I earned my business degree at Marquette, and a year after graduation, I bought the café.”

  “That’s impressive.” And I now feel as though I’ve done nothing with my life.

  “My parents helped me. I couldn’t get a loan on my own so they co-signed. I owe them a lot.” He waits for me to take my turn. Once I do, he continues. “I paid the place off five years after I bought it. We’ve been very lucky.”

  I like the way his face lights up when he talks about his family. My last interaction with my parents as no measure, family is very important to me. It pains me to find out they’ve been doubting me all these years. Here’s Ed, fresh out of college, and his parents help him start a business. As a factory worker and a secretary, my parents always had enough money to make ends meet, but that was about it. Vacations were a day trip to a water park or the zoo and that was okay. We were together, and that was all that mattered. Now I look at the support Ed’s parents gave and compare it to the lack of confidence mine have in me, and I’m more disappointed in myself than ever. I need to figure my future out before I’m stuck in the mall forever.

  “How did you know this was what you wanted? That your purpose in your career was to own this business and serve, if I may say so myself, the best coffee ever to your community?”

  “Huh, best coffee ever.” He tightens his lips as he nods his head. “Maybe I’ll use that in an ad. I can see it now.” He waves his hands in the air as if to draw a picture for me. “Perc Me Up: Coffee so good even Whitney ‘I’ll wait in line as long as it takes’ will drink it.” He puts his hands down and grins at me.

  “Very funny. But I would stand in line as long as it took.” I don’t add that if he were on the receiving end of the line, I definitely would stand there now. It’s funny how just a couple weeks ago all the hair that covered his head and his face turned me off, but now that he’s here with me and making me smile, he may be the most attractive man I’ve ever met.

  “Good to know. I’ll tell you about the coffee shop another time.”

  I perk up at these words. He’s planning to see me again. We’ve spent a mere hour together, and it feels like we’ve been together the entire day. There’s something to be said about somebody who makes you lose track of time and makes you feel as though you’ve known them forever when you haven’t.

  “Sounds like a good deal to me.” I glance down at the scoresheet. Somehow I’ve managed to tie with him. Maybe our discussions have sidetracked him and distracted him enough to allow me to catch up. “Well, it seems to me that you may need to step up your game.”

  He steps up to me and is now only inches away. I need to cock my head to meet his eyes since I’m so short that I’m face-to-face with his chest. I can hear him breathing. Unless that’s me. I can’t even tell right now. All I know is that we’re staring into each other’s eyes with a familiarity that loosens any hold that may be on my heart.
“That’s the thing about me, Whitney.” He closes the gap between us and wraps his hand around my waist. “I don’t play games.”

  That kiss I imagined just a few minutes ago is staring me right in the face. I don’t even blink when I respond, “Me, either.”

  My body tingles as he leans his head down. I wasn’t expecting a kiss on the first date, but it’s really about to happen. He’s so close to me I can feel his breath warm against my face.

  “Move on! Get a room!” A group of teenagers waiting to take their turn start hooting and hollering at us.

  “I guess we should finish up the game.” The disappointment is evident in my voice as I distance myself from him.

  Ed releases his hand from me, and it’s as though these teenagers have torn away a part of my body. “Sure. I promise we’ll pick this up again at another time.”

  This is it. My knight in shining armor has proven he truly is that.

  Chapter Five

  The Monday after our date I can’t get Ed out of my mind. I wake up from my second dream in a row where he’s kissing me, every inch of my body, and we’re close to moving things to the next level. Every time he’s about to unbutton my pants, my alarm goes off, resulting in me waking up in a hormone-induced sweat. We never did finish that kiss, even after splitting an appetizer at Chili’s. I thought maybe at the car before we went our separate ways, but he was a gentleman and gave me a hug instead. We set up another date for Wednesday. If he doesn’t go in for the kiss, I most certainly will. I’m not sure how much longer I can peer into his stormy eyes without lightning striking.

  I want that kiss. I need that kiss.

  Unfortunately, I also need to drudge through another two days of work before I can be mesmerized by him again. If I’m lucky, I’ll have a chance to chat with him at Perc Me Up when I stop by for my coffee on the way to work.

  I set my alarm for six so I’m out the door by seven-thirty, a miracle in every sense of the word. If I’m out of Perc Me Up by quarter to eight then making it to work a half hour before opening should be a breeze. Thirty minutes to spare? That’ll shock my boss.

  Since I’m up earlier than usual, I take extra time with my hair, brushing it a few more times and attempting to style it so it parts over my shoulder in the perfect way. I’m careful not to overdo my makeup. Sometimes—most times—less is more. A subtle hint of color many times leaves a better impression than bright red lipstick or deep blush. I wish more people realized this. I teach it at the store, but if I have access to teach more people at one time, that would be ideal. There are many different tips and tricks I can offer.

  When I arrive at Perc Me Up, I luck out and steal a spot right in front of the entrance. I don’t even need to take the time and parallel park. Two empty spots allow me the luxury of sliding right in. I check my makeup one last time and apply gloss over my lipstick before entering the café.

  They’re not as busy as last time I was here, and the line is practically non-existent. Folky music plays lightly as I pass the oversized chairs and tables on the way to the counter. I’m regretting my strawberry pop tart when I gaze upon a cherry almond muffin in the food display case. From the crumbled top to the almond pieces, my tastebuds are calling it. I may have to grab one for my midmorning snack.

  One person separates me and the counter. He must have snuck past me when my stomach was focusing on the carbs and sugar. Sweetness like that can distract anyone. Leann is still at the counter and has been manning it for the past few weeks. I ache to see Ed but I know she can handle the percolator like it’s nobody’s business. Within a minute the person before me has his drink and by the time I step up, Leann is handing me my coffee.

  “Whitney! Good morning!” She doesn’t even wait for me to answer and she’s beaming with a smile. “What a gorgeous day, right? I love summer is almost here.”

  Leann is always bouncy and positive. On many people it’s annoying, but she’s so genuine she wears it nicely. “I can’t wait either. I’m ready to switch over to dresses all the time.”

  “I’m a leggings girl myself. Quick and easy. With a five-year-old at home, my only goal is to be comfortable when he wants to throw the ball around. I can’t do that in a skirt.”

  “I suppose not.” I’ve been coming to this coffee shop for over a year, and I never even knew she had a son. She takes all this time to get to know me and even has memorized my personal coffee preference, but I don’t know anything about her. “Is he in school?”

  “He will be. This year. He’s in a pre-school program at daycare, but in the fall, he’ll begin full-time school. He’s so ready to learn. Kid’s brains are like sponges. Not to mention I’ll save so much on daycare costs.”

  Daycare costs and school. These are topics I thought at my age I would be considering already. My parents wanted me to find someone and deliver oodles of grandkids to them, but I can’t even get my career straight. One thing at a time. But at this rate I can’t help but think I’ll never walk down the aisle or see the inside of a delivery room.

  I pay for my coffee and hand her my punchcard. When she hands it back I don’t see a ring on her finger. “Thanks so much, Leann. You have a good day, okay?” I look past her hoping to catch a glimpse of Ed. I think I see his crazy hair as someone shuffles past the door, but he doesn’t turn my way. Shoot. I’ll have to wait until Wednesday.

  “You too. See you tomorrow!”

  I have no choice but to step out of line so she can assist the next person. I’ve only just met Ed so why is my heart crushing that I didn’t talk with him? A man hasn’t made an impression on me like this since…since ever. I might as well face it. I think I’m sprung.

  ••••••••

  “Surprise, surprise! Look who’s on time!” Hannah claps and pumps her fist in the air. “Give it to Whitney.” She applauds me as I walk through the break room door.

  I greet her with an eye roll before tossing my purse into my locker. “I don’t want to hear it.” I’ve been closer to on time than I’ve ever been these past few weeks. The fact I’m arriving prior to nine shouldn’t be a shocker.

  “Wow. Someone’s crabby today. What gives?”

  I blow my hair out of my face. After working so hard to sit it perfectly over my shoulders, I drove to work with my windows partly down as I blasted Selena Gomez. I should be in a good mood. Coffee is in my system, and I’m on time. “I think it’s this place. Walking in here doesn’t put me in the best mood.”

  “You’re never like this. I don’t care how much you don’t want to come to work, this is weird.”

  My locker clicks shut, and I lean my body against it. “I know. I’ve been thinking a lot about my future. I don’t want to do this anymore.”

  “Me either, girl, but it pays the bills. Don’t let Andrea see you like this.”

  I can put on a happy face for my boss. That’s not an issue. But I need to figure something out with myself before I go crazy. I don’t know how long I can pretend now that I’ve come to this conclusion. “Don’t worry. I won’t.”

  She’s holding in a smile while she looks at me. She crosses her arms and I’m sure I’m about to get the third degree. “What else? There’s more.” I hate finger pointing but she’s aiming hers right at me as she fishes for information. “Tell me.”

  I shouldn’t be afraid to tell her about Ed. I think I’m more afraid that I kept it from her for so long. What will she say? Josie told me I should have mentioned it to her right away, but I didn’t listen. That’s not what a best friend does. “Okay. I’ll tell you, but don’t get mad.”

  “Okay.” She pulls her shoulders back as she crosses her arms again.

  “I found the guy from Vogue. The one who helped me.”

  “You what?” She slams her hands on the table so hard my palms are stinging. “When? How? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I thought you would be mad.”

  “Mad? Why on Earth would I be mad? You should have texted me the minute you found out. When did this h
appen?”

  “A few weeks ago.”

  “A few weeks ago!”

  Her eyes are about to pop out of her head. I’m glad she’s not upset, though. What a relief that is. “Well, I just met up with him the other day, but I started my search that night we went to Vogue. After you fell asleep, I placed on ad on Craigslist in the Missed Connections section.”

  “What? That’s insane!” Her hands are in fists, and I’m trying to read her body language. Is she happy for me? Scared? “That’s pretty ballsy, Whit. Even I wouldn’t do something like that.” She emphasizes “I” because we both know she’s the adventurous one of the two of us.

  “I think you would.”

  “Put out an ad? Have you seen me? I’m a walking ad.” She slides her chair out and does a small catwalk around the break room.

  I wish I had even an ounce of the confidence Hannah has. I wouldn’t classify myself as unconfident but I’m not beaming with certainty like she is. “Some of us aren’t so lucky and we need to reach out via the Internet.”

  “So,” she rubs her hands together and puts them on her hips. “Did you meet him? What is he like? Are you two married now and you’re going to have lots of babies together?”

  “Very funny. No one is getting married, and I’m certainly not having any babies before that happens.”

  Hannah’s eyes shift to the clock. “Come on now. We start work soon. Spit it out.”

  I love she’s so anxious to hear what I have to say. The anxiety that burdened my body before has now left, and I’m much more relaxed. I want to keep stringing her along because it’s not often I’m the one who gets to do that but we do need to get out on the floor soon.

  “Well, in the ad I kind of described what happened, and I asked him to meet me at a Redbox.”

  “You didn’t?”

  “I sure did.”

  “Most times people exchange a few messages back and forth before just randomly picking a spot to hook up.”

  Here’s the part I feared. This is the time when I’m scolded and reminded of how unsafe what I did really was. It’s not like I am an 18-year-old girl. We met in a public place, and when we did go out, we took separate cars. Granted, I probably should’ve told somebody that I was meeting him in case something went wrong, so maybe I was a little stupid there. But what’s done is done. Time to move on.