Until medical school, he wasn’t a coffee drinker. The long study sessions went well into the early mornings and coupled with an eight a.m. class or lab, it turned him into an espresso junkie. He lived off the caffeine, until he noticed his lack of appetite and his pants were a little looser than normal. He had to cut back, if not for his sanity, for his well-being. His indulgence now is a cup a day. Two, if a patient was going to keep him up all night.
With Rambo by his side, they walked across the street and onto the boardwalk, with Rambo’s leash hanging from his mouth. The traffic was still light, but that would change any day. The first round of tourists would start to arrive shortly after the first of May. Weekend visitors would arrive first before the full-fledged weeklong travelers start to embark on his sleepy little town. Because of the lack of people, Danny rarely had to control his dog, even when others were around. Rambo was friendly and loved everyone, especially children. A woman appeared in the doorway of the coffee shop and set down a bowl of water. It was enough to get Rambo’s attention and he took off with Danny hot on his tail.
By the time he reached the door, the woman was gone. He took a deep breath before entering with Martha’s voice running through is head. The new owner was single. Not that he was looking for any type of romance, but there was a little intrigue there. Hell, dating in Gray had its issues, period. There was no getting to know someone, no mystery behind the person sitting opposite you. Chances were, you had multiple classes growing up with them. And you’ve likely seen them at their worse, and they you. Not to mention, as soon as the gossip spreads, they’re planning your wedding. This was the main reason Danny stayed single. That and he hadn’t found someone who interested him enough to be a part of the rumor mill.
He didn’t have a problem leaving Rambo outside, knowing his dog wasn’t going to go anywhere. At best, someone would stop by and entertain the pooch, or he’d wander in on his own if the sidewalk became too hot for him. Danny stepped inside, surprised to find the café empty. The once rust colored tables were now white, with a small vase of flowers on each one, giving the place a homier feel. The pastry case that used to be full was almost empty, with only a few muffins and trays full of crumbs left. A loud banging coming from the back, causing him to jump. He thought about offering to help, but not knowing the new owner realized it might not sit well with them. All he knew was that they moved here from the big city, which made him question their sanity. Who moves to a small coastal town unless they’re running from something? So, he waited, tapping his fingers on the counter. He wasn’t impatient, more eager than anything.
When the door separating the café from the kitchen swung open, Danny stared as long as he could, until the auburn-haired woman looked at up him. His heart jumped before picking up speed. He had to swallow, harder than normal after he made eye contact with her. Years of regret and sorrow flooded his memory. One fateful mistake had changed his life, and now the person he hurt the most, even though that was never his intention, was standing before him like a statue with her mouth open.
“Taffy.” He said the name he had called her while they were together. His favorite candy and it was only fitting that his favorite girl held the same moniker.
Kelly set down the tray she was carrying and wiped her hands on her apron. She smiled as she approached the counter. “What can I get for you?” she asked. Danny looked at her, really looked at her, taking in everything he could see from her pale legs, to her curved hips and breasts, which he focused a bit too long on. Her hair was in a thick braid, cascading down her back. But it was her green eyes that held his gaze to hers. He used to spend hours looking into them and could easily spend a few more starting now.
“Don’t you remember me?” He asked, foolishly. Of course, she remembered him. She had to. They dated. Sure, it was high school, but they still shared a part of their lives. For months, they were inseparable, spending every free moment they had with each other. Often their study sessions would turn to make-out sessions. They’d go to the drive-in and never watch a single clip of the movies playing. The weekend spent on the beach, meant hours of cuddling before sneaking off to get away from their friends.
That’s where their love affair ended. He had embarrassed her so gravely, humiliating her in front of their classmates, who mocked and teased her relentlessly. Despite his attempts to smooth things over, the damage couldn’t be undone. As childish as it all was, he was only trying to help her.
He hadn’t seen Kelly Taft since they graduated from high school. That summer, he expected to find her on the beach, either running or surfing, but each day he went and waited, he never saw her. It wasn’t until Chad Hudson told him she had left, decided to go to school early and work for the summer near her college. Danny could’ve easily tracked her down, but what would’ve been the point? She told him loud and clear, without using words, that she wanted nothing to do with him.
And now here she was in the flesh, staring back at him with her vibrant green eyes, as if she didn’t know who he was. A few things started making sense for him. The woman before him was married. This much he knew because Martha had told him her last name is Franklin. For some reason, that didn’t sit well with him. He didn’t like the idea that his Taffy had married another man and brought him back to Gray, but they had long broken-up and it wasn’t like he had any say in her life.
No, wait. Martha said single, and if she had her facts right, which she usually did, Kelly was divorced or widowed. That gave him a surge of confidence. He saw redemption in his future. He would make up for his epic blunder after all these years. How? He had no idea, but there had to be some way.
“It’s really good to see you, Taffy.”
Her features didn’t soften at the sound of his pet name for her and Danny knew he’d have an uphill climb, but it’d be worth it. He sighed heavily and looked over her shoulder at the reader board. “I’ll take a double shot.”
“Anything else?”
“The last muffin?” His statement came out more like a question and she quirked her eyebrow at him. He nodded and kept his lips pulled tight, doing anything he could to keep his words trapped inside his mouth.
Honestly, he didn’t know what to say to her. “I’m sorry,” wasn’t going to be enough. He tried telling her that fifteen years ago and she didn’t listen. He wasn’t even sure she’d forgive him now, but he was going to try. He watched her while she made his espresso, something he didn’t need right now, and package up his muffin in a carryout bag. “That’ll be for here,” he said, causing her movements to falter. There was no change in her expression, he noticed. Not even a flinch or a middle finger sticking up in the air for good measure.
She returned to the register with his double dose of caffeine and muffin on a plate, giving him the total. He padded his pockets, feeling for the heaviness of his wallet, only to remember he left it in his van. “Um…”
“Are you serious? You came in here without any money?” Kelly leaned a bit to her side, causing him to turn. A line had formed behind him, something he had been oblivious to since he was focused on her.
“That wasn’t my intention. Give me a minute.” He stuck his index finger up in the air and back peddled out of the store, apologizing to everyone behind him. Rambo sat up as soon as he saw his master step out. “Stay,” he commanded before bolting back to his van. In his haste, he threw open the side door, something he knew better not to do since it had a tendency to stick, and climbed in. Why he didn’t open his driver side door, he’ll never know. Surely, this wasn’t the first time he’s go
ne without his wallet. In fact, most places allow him to run a tab, and he could’ve easily asked any one of the people behind him to cover him and they would’ve. He is, after all, the town doctor.
However, that wasn’t the impression he wanted to leave Kelly. The image she had of him was tainted enough and this little episode made it even worse. When he arrived back at the café, the line was still just as long. He waited, albeit, not very patiently to get back to the counter. When it was his turn, he stepped up, greeted by a scowl and her holding up her index finger.
She busied herself at one of the coffee makers, and when she returned, she slid what looked like the same mug from before, his way, along with his muffin. “Thank you,” he said, handing over his money, not bothering with the change, knowing he gave her a ten-dollar tip. He suspected that might be construed a variety of ways. He’s either trying too hard to get her attention or he’s taking pity on her because he knows she’s divorced. Neither of which crossed his mind until he sat down.
He’d like a redo of the morning. A fresh start where he’s not looking like an ass in front of the one girl he was madly in love with many years ago, which if someone asked him now why he’s staring at her instead of drinking his coffee, he’d likely say because those old feelings he’d had were rushing back.
Determined to make the day different, he pulled out his phone and sent a text to Martha, checking to make sure he didn’t have anything on his schedule that he had to rush into the office for. Her response pleased him, until she sent a follow-up message asking how he’s enjoying his coffee. “Damn rumor mill,” he muttered to himself as he picked up the ceramic mug. Much to his surprise, the liquid was hot, and the taste was perfect. He half expected Kelly to either give him the first cup she brewed for him or make this one undrinkable. He deserved either, if not both.
Sitting at the table, he took in everything around him, but mostly focused on her and the way she smiled at her customers, hugged the ones she knew from what seems like a lifetime ago, and talked lovingly about the Java Hut.
He stayed until he ran out of excuses, not that she bothered to come check on him and see if he needed anything else. No, the Java Hut wasn’t that sort of place. He was a big boy and if he desired more coffee, he’d have to get up and get it himself. Thing was, he gave her his last twenty and couldn’t see himself using his credit card to order a refill. Although, he’s done dumber things in his life, letting Taffy leave him was at the top of that list.
5
Kelly
Kelly couldn’t find enough things to do around the shop to keep her busy, let alone keep her mind off the fact that Danny Weatherly, her high school love and the boy who was going to change her world all those years ago, was sitting in her café, taking his sweet time drinking his espresso. When there was a lull in customers, she cleaned and cleaned again, and made notes about possible sandwiches she’d like to have on her menu and found herself naming them Danny, Danny Broke my Heart, Danny the Jerk. She crumpled the piece of paper and tossed it into the trash, only to start over again, but the names seemed too generic and she wasn’t happy with them. If she was going to create a lunch menu, she wanted it to stand out and be something everyone remembered.