Chapter Text
It was October in Florida and finally cooling down, if only just a bit.
You'd been there for just under nine months and were still getting used to the often intense weather. There were good things about the move, however. You had an apartment of your own and a job to pay for it, though the latter achievement came at the expense of your sanity, at times. Working at a coffee shop had to be one of the worst forms of customer service hell. You couldn't count how many times you'd been screamed at for not automatically knowing a regular's order or for following the shop's price changes, as if you set them, yourself.
You had your few nicer interactions, of course, and you appreciated every one of them. Who knew being decent had become so uncommon? There was one exchange in particular that stuck with you, however. One day, you were taking a customer's order, her hands full with toys and other assorted things for the baby on her hip. As she searched in her bag for her wallet, clearly annoying some customers behind her in line, a man stepped in and paid for her. You couldn't help but smile a little.
"That was nice of you." you found yourself saying as he stepped up to register after she had gone. It wasn't often you made a ton of conversation with customers, knowing how some people could be first thing in the morning. Although by his kind deed, you figured this was a safe bet. The man smiled softly, the natural light illuminating his hazel eyes. Fuck. Were you really romanticizing a customer?
"Oh, it was nothing, really." he brushed off with a wave of his hand. You knew people sometimes said that disingenuously, but it really appeared he didn't want the acknowledgment. Like this good deed was his and his alone. You could appreciate that, humble people seemed increasingly harder to find.
"Can I get a name?" you asked after taking his order.
"Uh, Dexter." he replied, seeming almost hesitant to say it.
"Dexter. That's a cool name." you complimented, getting another, slightly bigger smile from him. For whatever reason, that made your day. You smiled back. "That'll be ready at the bar in a few."
Dexter nodded and went off to wait for his drink, leaving you with a line of annoyed customers. Lest you take a moment or two longer to actually make a little conversation. Figures.
-
It was only a few days later when Dexter returned, this time accompanied by a younger-looking woman with dark hair and a penchant for cursing. Sister? Some delusional part of you that was nursing a slight crush on him hoped that was the case.
"Ah, Dexter, right? We'll have that right out for you." you told him, exchanging small smiles like before. His female companion made a face of surprise and amusement, nudging him in the ribs with her elbow. Definitely a younger sister.
"Thank you." he replied simply, quickly ushering his sister away from the register before she could embarrass him any further. You chuckled, writing his name on the cup and handing it off to your coworker.
"We're switching." she told you, sounding slightly annoyed and handing it back.
"Okay…" you replied, putting your hands up in defense as you switched stations with her.
After making a few other drinks that had come before, you'd finished his order, setting the cups on the counter.
"Dexter?" you called out, getting his attention almost immediately.
The two came up to the bar, picking up their drinks, his sister trying not to laugh out loud.
"My brother thinks you're cute!" she exclaimed, catching both you and him off guard.
"What? Deb. " he said her name like it was a bad word, a warning for her not to continue. She wasn't listening.
"I'll give you two some space." said Deb with a grin, leaving out the side door.
"I'm so sorry." Dexter apologized, but you shook your head with a chuckle.
"No worries." you told him. You grabbed a napkin and wrote your number down, handing it to him afterwards. "So she'll leave you alone about it."
Dexter chuckled, seeming genuinely appreciative of your gesture.
"Ah, thanks. I promise I won't bother you." he added, ever the gentleman.
"You could," you said, only realizing you'd done so a second later by his inquisitive look. "I mean, if you wanted to."
A nervous laugh followed your clarification, making him smile.
"Thanks for the coffee." was all he said before he left, making you wonder if you'd just completely embarrassed yourself. There was little time to dwell on it as your attention was redirected on an influx of new drink orders and grumpy customers.
On your walk home after work, however, there was one new text message on your phone from an unknown number.
Hi, this is Dexter… From the coffee shop.
You chuckled to yourself. Who was this sweet, awkward dork you'd just met?