She had been making him coffee for a year now. Every morning since she started at the local university, she poured him a cup at the local small coffee shop. She was beautiful—her red hair tied up so as to not get in her way, her adorable dresses, her kind blue eyes, her slender hands. He wondered what her hair would look like down, falling past her shoulders. He wondered a lot of things about her.
They had gotten to know each other well over the year—talking about books, movies, life events, everything they could think of in the small window of time they had together. If he hadn't left for work yet, she would sit with him on her break. Sometimes when she sat close to him he could feel the air buzzing with electricity.
He was a manager and part-owner of the local bike shop, and he always saw her bike chained up outside, begging for a tune-up. He wondered if she'd ever come to his shop. He thought about her all the time.
It was a warm afternoon when the bell rang at the front desk. He wiped his hands on a rag and walked out of the back room. There she was, hair tied up, in a soft tank top and shorts, much more casual than he had ever seen her, but still incredibly beautiful.
She smiled at him. She thought he was the beautiful one. Olive skin, dark curly hair, expressive eyes with dark eyelashes—mediterranean bliss. The smudges on his face from working on the bikes were endearing.
"Hi Lucca!" Her voice was musical. "I'm finally taking your advice and bringing in my bike. How's your day been so far?"
"Wonderful," he said, a smile spreading on his face as well. "I finished that book I was reading. I'll lend it to you?"
She nodded. "I'd love that! Thank you! And I have some music to lend you."
He walked his bike around to the back and looked it over briefly. It really needed some work done. To be safe, she should replace the cables. He told her the price and she agreed.
"How are you getting home?" he asked. It wasn't dark yet, but it would be in a couple hours and he didn't know how far away she lived. He did know she didn't have a car.
"You can't fix it now?" she asked, her face scrunching up a little.
"I have to get the cables—we just used our last ones on the bike that just went out. I can do it for you tomorrow. Do you need a ride? We're about to close."
She thought for a minute, and then nodded. "I would love a ride. But I live on the other side of town, on River Street."
He laughed. "I live there too! I had no idea. We're neighbors."
"There are so many apartments. I can't keep track of them all!" she giggled.
"Well, it'll be very easy for me to give you a ride then. Are you okay with sitting on the back of my bike? I have a seat extension."
"I've always wanted to do that!" she said, with innocent glee.
They chatted while he closed up, and soon they were mounting his bike. He shivered as she wrapped her arms around him, pressing her breasts to his back. She drove him crazy.
They laughed as he flew down the city streets, using their weight together to take turns. He had never had so much fun with a girl before. He couldn't help but notice that she smelled amazing. Like lavender.
Pulling up at River Street, he stopped to let her off. She hopped off so sweetly that he grinned at her.
"Which one's yours?" he asked.
She pointed. "That building. I live on the second floor with three other people. They're exhausting."
"I remember roommates," he commiserated. "I'm very glad to be out of that phase in my life."
"I'd love to own my own shop someday and not have to share my space with a bunch of strangers."
"You will. You're incredibly smart and great with customers. And from what you've said, you do well in school. Business classes will pay off. You would run a great store—coffee, music, books, everything you want!"
She put her hand on his arm and smiled softly. "Thank you. That means a lot."
Her hand felt so smooth and warm. "If you don't want to deal with your roommates quite yet, you could come to my place."
Her eyes lit up. "I'd love that!"
His heart beat increased slightly. He smiled, chained up the bike, and led her inside. His apartment was beautiful—filled with art and comfortable, attractive furniture. He grabbed two cold beers out of the fridge and handed her one. She sat down on his couch and took a sip as he put on some music.
