Today is the day. Today IS the day.
After weeks of smiling at the same guy as we passed on the sidewalk every day on my way to work, I’m going to do it. I, Christi Domari, am going to say hi to my friendly stranger.
After changing from a flirty knee-length dress to a cute yellow blouse and jeans to a pale pink sweater and vivid green skirt I pull back on the dress and shake out my newly straightened hair. If I am going to speak to the man I need to have as much confidence going into the encounter to ensure I don’t stall out, chicken out, stutter, or blush myself into oblivion with embarrassment.
He is always dressed so well, I figure I can dress to match for our first official meeting. After all, it isn’t every day that I introduce myself to my future husband. Ok maybe that’s a little much. I am just beyond jazzed about making our casual nods and hellos become more.
I leave at the exact same time I always do to ensure that I won’t miss him. Usually I see him as I cross over to the park next to the chocolate store I manage for my former roommate and her husband.
My shoulders slump as I pass the spot where I would normally smile at him and he would smile back and I would float away on clouds of romantic fantasy as I entered the store and got to work.
Today is different. I don’t see him. That’s it. Today is going to be miserable.
The bubbly anticipation I had been feeling all morning dissipates as I shove open the door to Candi’s Chocolates. I know, it’s an odd name for a specialty chocolate shop but Candice loves the twistedness of it. I can’t even bring myself to fake a cheery hello. My whole day is ruined. I had worked myself up to say hi and now I feel like I had fallen flat on my face…into a snow drift.
Candice blocks me at the counter, not letting me in. Looking up, her extra wide grin has me smiling back automatically. When she doesn’t say anything I try again to get past her. It doesn’t work.
She hands me a plate with one of our specialty premium hot chocolate mugs perched in the center of it. “Could you deliver this to our customer?”
“Since when do we deliver drinks to the tables?” I whisper.
I didn’t think it possible but her smile grows even bigger. “Today.”
“Why me? I don’t even have my nametag on yet.”
“Go.” She scolds.
Taking the mug I carefully turn to look for the needy customer who must have insisted it be delivered. Lucky for me, I am being so careful or I totally would have totally dropped it.
There he is, sitting at one of the small white wrought iron tables near our chocolate fountain display. My stranger is the one I am supposed to be delivering it to.
Blushing atrociously I walk over. “You must have done something to impress the owner.”
“What?” The man looks up from the book he had been reading.
My thoughts stumble over each other as his eyes meet mine. Don’t ask me what color they are because my mind has gone blank.
“I know you.” He peers closer at me.
I watch as he studies my face. A few seconds before we hit awkward I laugh. “You’ve seen me.” I clarify. “In the park, on my way to work usually.”
His eyes light in recognition and I smile back. “Yes.” He says. “Now I remember. What a pleasure it is to finally meet you. There have been several times when I wish I would have stopped to do more than say hi. You have become a part of my morning routine.”
In the midst of my battle to hold back what I feel might be a psychotic looking grin I manage to laugh. “Except for this morning.”
Setting his book down he reaches for the hot chocolate I am still holding. “True. This morning I had a wickedly early meeting so my whole day is kind of going out of order.”
“And you somehow ended up in here?”
He looks back up with me. “Lucky me. Could you sit for a few minutes or will that get you in trouble?”
I look over to the counter where Candice is trying very hard to not look like she is eavesdropping.
“I’m sure Candice won’t mind since we aren’t busy. You missed the morning rush.”
“So did you.”
“I help her restock after the morning commuters clear her out.”
He leans back in his chair. “Are there that many people coming in here to get chocolate in the morning?”
“You’d be surprised. Also our morning options include chocolate muffins, chocolate scones, hot chocolate, chocolate crepes, and chocolate power bars. It took a while to get the word out but now I come in to help her make more of everything to refill all her empty shelves.”
“Oh you are a baker?” He sits up.
I nod. “Candice is a certified and trained chocolatier. I do the baking.”
He stands and walks quickly over to the display cases. “I guess I will need to start coming in here in the mornings and see what you have. There isn’t much left.”
“I’ll miss saying hi to you in the mornings. Because once you come in for our chocolate muffins, you’ll be in here fighting over whatever is left in the display case with the rest of them.”
“Or come in late enough that you have done your magic and restocked the shelves.” His wink has my heart pounding. “I don’t think I’m ready to not see you every morning. Though I now know where to find you if I don’t see you. I hope from now on I’ll know your name when we say hi.” He pauses. “And maybe stop to say more than hi. Jay Hawthorne.”
“Oh. I’m Christi. And you are welcome to come chat and eat here anytime.”
His smile is warm as he stands. “As odd as it sounds, I am glad we missed seeing each other today in our normal spot. Especially if it means I get to know you better now.”
“It has been a pleasure to finally meet you Jay.” I hold my shriek of delight in and settle for a smile. “I look forward to our next chat.”
“Next time it should be over your chocolate muffins.” His eyebrow raises in question.
I laugh. “Deal.”
