It was my first job once I started college at a cozy local coffee shop. I figured being a barista would be fun, and as a coffee lover myself, I had always wanted to learn the art. We made coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and even had a library connected to our shop much like a Barnes and nobles but much more welcoming. Even when I wasn’t working, I could spend hours there curled up with a book in the oversized armchair by the fireplace.
On my first day of training, I was so excited that I woke up extra early to fix my hair and makeup perfectly, wanting to make a good impression. I was radiating with confidence as I walked in, eager to learn the ropes and get to know the regulars. I was expecting the older lady that interviewed me to be training me, but when I walked in I was greeted by a man in his mid thirties. His eyes were kind, his smile contagious, and I had to stop myself from blushing at how attracted I was to him. Let’s call him Niall.