Nick ached for her; he had for weeks, since they first met.

Elle Mason measured five foot six. Honey-highlighted, shoulder-length cocoa hair cupped her jaw line. Large doe eyes rested upon ample cheek bones. She spoke through full lips and a perfect smile.

Elle, thirty-one, owned and operated Perks coffeehouse. The shop featured floor-to-ceiling front windows, exposed brick and maple floors throughout, jazz piped in via steal beam-mounted speakers, and a stocked oak bookcase that spanned an entire wall. Roasted Central American aromas wafted upon the echoes of footsteps and patron chatter.

Nick made his way two steps closer to the register. Three more people and they´d be face to face again, like each Monday through Friday morning.

Sheila, a large, fifty-something woman with gray eyes and short, wavy blonde hair stood behind the glass baked goods counter. "Any pastries today, sir?"

Nick shook his head. "Tall café latte."

Sheila nodded then turned. "Tall café latte."

Cara—a slight, blonde, twenty-something—pulled a cup from the stack and began the drink.

As he ogled Elle, Nick reached to the pastry counter and grabbed a napkin. Palm sweats again. Come on, Nick, he thought. Today´s the day. No more screwing around. Be a man for a change. He clenched the napkin.

Elle handed a customer her change and smiled. "Thank you."

The woman made her way toward a table.

The next customer stepped to Elle.

Nick moved two steps closer to the register. Oh god…I´m almost there. He sighed. What am I gonna say? How can I be "cool" without seeming manufactured?

Nick hadn´t dated since before his seven-year marriage, which broke up nine months prior, two kids and their custody still in the balance. The fact Jenna left him for another man, someone she considered "more poised," didn´t help his confidence in this matter. What the heck did Jenna mean anyway? he thought. But he knew. People considered Nick a "nice guy," someone "soft"—not exactly the ambitious, self-reliant contemporary woman´s "equal." Truth be told, these women oftentimes chewed him up and spit him out during a typical workday.

Now 34, things had changed a lot since Nick last courted a woman. In fact, he couldn´t help but chuckle when he thought about it: the last time Nick had wooed anyone, Bill Clinton and a dot-com bubble owned the nation´s headlines.

Nick looked down at himself. He maintained his fitness, yes. His dark Italian features and six foot frame enticed a few, sure. But the off-the-rack, charcoal-gray suit and tan trench coat made him look part Colombo part IRS agent. Come on, Nick. Think before you leave the house! He rolled his eyes.

Elle handed the next customer his change and smiled. "Have a fantastic day, Bob."

The man grinned and made his way to the door.

Nick stepped two paces closer to the register. He´d be next, and he had no idea what to say. Be cool, he told himself. Just stay poised.

Sheila leaned over the glass case, "Here ya go," and handed Nick his tall vanilla latte.
Nick forced a grin. "Thanks."

Elle chatted up the next customer for a bit while she placed several coffee cups in a holder tray. She handed the tray to the woman and thanked her.

The woman headed for the doorway.

Nick drew a deep breath then exhaled. He stepped to the register. His heart thundered.
"What do we have today, Nick? Another vanilla latte?"

Oh, god, he thought, she thinks I´m predictable, probably rigid and boring. Nick avoided eye contact; instead, he looked to the register. "Yeah." He pulled a five from his money clip.

"That´ll be $3.85."

Nick handed Elle the five. He motioned toward the tip dish; his eyes followed. "You can put the rest in there."

"Why, thank you."

Nick slid his money clip into his pocket. "You´re welcome." He plucked his briefcase from the floor, then eased his coffee cup from the counter. Nick stepped to his left.

Elle still eyed him.

Nick gazed at the floor. "I´ll see you tomorrow, Elle."

She continued to eye him, with a grin. "Hey…Nick…"

Nick turned to Elle; his eyes grew wide.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Nick froze. He didn´t know what he´d done. Does she think I´m stalking her? he thought.

"Just for a minute?"

"Uh…" Nick nodded. "Sure." Is she going to tell me I´m not welcome in here anymore? That I make her uncomfortable?

Elle motioned toward a table to the register´s right. She glanced over her shoulder in stride. "Cara, can you watch this for a second?"

Cara moved to the register.

Elle shuffled around an empty two-top and slid a chair from beneath it. "How ´bout here?"

Nicked set his briefcase and cup upon the table and pulled out a chair.

Both took a seat.

Elle folded her arms and leaned to the table. She studied her fidgeting hands as she spoke, "I know we don´t really know each other that well…"

Nick sipped his coffee.

"But…" Elle looked to Nick with a smirk. "I´m kinda hoping we can change that…soon."

Nick fought a smile.

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Copyright © 2009 Nelson Pahl