Window to Love

Sam POV

“OMG, you’re Asian too?! I don’t see them here often! Ah, that’s so great…-” I didn’t expect to hear that as the first sentence said to me after the summer break.

Crystal and I had opened the café about 20 minutes ago and were still starting up the coffee machines and dusting off the books on the shelves. Crystal, my best friend, who took me in 3 years ago and gave me this job here, disappeared into the storage room shortly before the first two guests entered: a woman (who doesn’t seem much older than Crystal) with cherry red hair and sunglasses and a rather attractive man with dark curly hair and also wearing sunglasses. I was just sprucing up the counter when the door opened and the two of them came in.

It seemed like the guy seemed puzzled and trying to find his words, but the female was quicker and recognized my nationality.

As the red-haired girl stopped talking, I looked up again and saw her blushing. The storage room door closed, and I realized Crystal was standing behind me. Hm, the read-head here seems to be able to be quiet as well.

“Can I help you?” she spoke up, the question directed at the blushing woman. “Uh…. Yes! Could you maybe help me find a book? I don’t remember exactly what it’s called.”

Crystal smiled at her. “Well, of course! That’s my job after all.” She winked at me or the guy, I am not quite sure who, before the two of them walked toward the book wall when the man cleared his throat, drawing my attention back to him. “I deeply apologize for Amber’s behavior. We didn’t intend to distract you from work.” I smiled at him. “It’s no big deal. She seemed pretty happy to see someone else ‘Asian’. By the way, I’m Sam Kim, as you can read on my name tag, and I’d like to serve you at the café ‘2 odori d’amori’ today. You two are the first customers to visit after our summer break, which means you get 25% off your order!” That wasn’t actually true, but it’s never too late to introduce traditions! The man introduced himself as Luca. No last name, but whatever.

We continued talking a little more before more and more customers came in and started to form a line. Luca then quickly ordered a cappuccino deluxe and, for his companion Amber, an ice tea Speciale, a homemade recipe. After I wrote down the order, he went to a table by the window. A short time later, Amber joined him. With some books.

Luca POV

Amber came up to the table with seven books in her arms and the female worker who got me a conversation with the sweet male barista. I’m pretty grateful to her for that too. I have to pay her back someday!

“We definitely have to come here more often,” says Amber, as the female worker went back behind the cash register. Ambers’ gaze didn’t leave her a second. “We sure do…” My eyes fell on the male barista who was typing into the register.

This summer seems to get better and better.