It felt good to be back at the coffee shop today.  I’d been away too long.  One of the many good things about going away – other than the simple joy of coming home – is that it always offers the chance for a fresh perspective when I return.

My Coffee Shop Man appeared this afternoon. [Insert long, desirous sigh here.]  He seemed a bit more handsome, somehow taller, his smile sweeter.  I caught his eye once or twice while he waited for his coffee but not so much that I seemed to be staring.  I hope.

There’s an art to sneaking glances, timing is important because you’re always in danger of being caught.  I try to appear absorbed in my book/laptop/thoughts but actually I’m waiting for the moment when I see, out of the periphery, that he’s taking a drink of his coffee or picking up his book and then I cast a brief look.  He caught me once; I lingered too long admiring the curve of his jaw, then studying the size of his hand wondering how comfortably mine might fit within it. Usually, when I’m spotted as a gawker I’m casual with the smile and the look away – casual enough so as not to look guilty.  But he locked on me while in full-blown stare mode and I was helpless to do anything but blush and quickly avert my eyes, hoping somehow to disappear.  I’m almost certain he smiled.

But today I simply cast a glance and nod hello.  He sat at his table and read his book while I sipped my tea and neglected my book altogether.  It didn’t take long before I was completely lost in thought.  Daydreaming. 

I began to feel the odd sensation that someone was watching me, and looked up to find him - THE him - smiling at me as he stood up and walked over to my table. “Excuse me, “ he said, “do we know each other?”  

I tried my best to look up at him without being overly bewildered.  “I’m sorry?” [Insert crazy fast, giddy heartbeat here!]

“Well, I notice you’re in here quite a bit and so it seems that we should know one another.” 

I found myself quickly moving my belongings to one side of the table and pushing a chair out with my foot, “I agree. It seems we should know one another.” 

 ~~~~~

We talked and laughed for nearly an hour about our lives and how we came to visit our little coffee shop so often.  It felt in my heart like stolen time, taken from the world selfishly, and held only for the two of us. He was clever, witty, and engaging - everything I hoped he would be. Adorable. We agreed to meet again and spend more time chatting. 

 Then he was off to chase his day.  He left me with a smile. And a fresh perspective.

[When no one is looking, insert happy dance here.]