#kendrafic

“Welcome to Jitters. What can I get for you today?” asksKendra as she greets the not-really-a-stranger stranger.

“I’ll have a medium red eye to go.” He replies.

Kendra grabs the right sized coffee cup and a maker.

“The name’s Ray.”

He grins brightly at her as she writes his name on the cupthen hands it over to the barista making the drinks.

Kendra rings him up and Ray hands over the correct amount.

With his wallet still out, he grabs a twenty-dollar billand places it in the tip jar.

Then Ray smiles brightly at Kendra.

“See you around, Kendra.”

She’s too flabbergasted to do anything but smile at himbefore helping the next customer though her eyes follow Ray’s progress to thepick-up area.

In that moment, from where she stands, Iris decides nexttime she’s going to do something to help the two of them out because that waspainful to watch and her girl, Kendra deserves better than that.

Like clock-work, Ray arrives for his daily cup of coffeethe following morning.

Kendra took the morning off for a dentist appointment soIris is working the cash register when he comes in.

Iris smirks to herself as she sees him frown indisappointment.

“You know, I didn’t think that our coffee is good enoughfor repeat purchases every day but I guess some people just need their dailycaffeine fix.”

Ray rubs the back of his neck sheepishly.

“Is it that obvious?” he asks.

“Not everyone tips more than several cups of coffee in onego.”

Iris smiles then shakes her head.

“Kendra hasn’t put two and two together if that’s whatyou’re really asking about.”

Ray chuckles.

“I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing.”

“Maybe, you could give her a little hint tomorrow.” Iriscomments as she takes his order.

He pays for his coffee then places a ten in the tip jar.

Iris looks at him.

“What? Just because one barista has caught my attentiondoesn’t mean I can’t show my appreciation for all of the other wonderfulbaristas who work here.”

Iris laughs then shoes him off to the pick-up area.

He seems like a good guy and her bestie definitely deservedsomeone who would appreciate her.

 Iris decides she’d see what Barry could find out about him;after all, her boyfriend couldn’t resist her charms.

The next morning passes without an appearance from Ray andKendra can’t help feeling concerned because he’s been predictable in appearingsometime in the morning.

“Relax girl, I’m sure your guy is fine.”

Kendra’s eyes widen as she opens and closes her mouth,trying to respond to Iris’ comment.

“He’s not my guy!”

Iris smirks at her best friend.

“But you want him to be.”

Kendra pauses for a moment.

“I’d like to get to know him, I think.” States Kendra.

“Fair enough. I still don’t think you should panic yetabout him not showing up. It was bound to happen eventually,” comments Iris.

“You’re right. It’s not like he’s Superman or anything.”

Lunch rolls around and with it, comes the usual rush andKendra isn’t focusing on a single person when Iris nudges her in the side.

“Outside. Front door.”

Kendra’s eyes wander over there and she smiles when shesees Ray standing there.

He enters Jitters then gets in line while looking forsomething in his wallet.

Returning to the customer in front of her, Kendra forcesherself to concentrate.

Fifteen minutes later, Ray stands before her with a grin onhis face.

“Hey Kendra. How’s it going?”

“Things are great, now. I was surprised when I didn’t seeyou this morning.”

“My car is in the shop so a friend drove me to work andalready bought our morning coffee.”

Kendra’s smile widens as she feels relief that nothingserious happened to him.

“I’ll have my usual, thanks.”

“Of course.”

As he hands over the money for his coffee, she notices thatthere’s something else with it but before she can say anything to him, he’salready put his usual tip into the jar and walked off.

Separating the cash out, Kendra’s surprised to see a cardmixed in.

She turns it over and reads his name along with his phonenumber on it.

Looking up, she catches Ray’s eye and smiles while hopingshe’s not blushing.

“What do you have there?”

Iris’ sudden appearance causes Kendra to jump slightly.

Kendra tries to move the card away before Iris can get herhands on it but her best friend is faster.

“Ooh! Are you going to call him?”

Ray catches the ladies’ eyes and waves with his free handas he leaves Jitters and they wave in response.

A warm feeling blossoms in Kendra’s chest as she takes thecard back.

“Yes, I definitely will give him a call later.”

As she wanders into the backroom to secure the card in herbag, Iris smirks.

“It’s about damn time.”