"You're going to sleep with me tonight."
The words were raging like a wildfire through Mandy's brain.
It had been more than an hour since he had left the coffee shop, his parting statement crashing against her like a provocative, un-welcome declaration. She couldn't stop replaying it though, his smooth, refined voice consuming her. Her 5am shift as a coffee shop barista was not a mentally taxing one, but she was having a difficult time staying focused on anything, let alone work.
Mandy's workday had started bright and early like any other. She punched in on time to take her routine spot behind the counter; cheerfully greeting morning commuters, remembering the familiar faces while serving, cashiering and helping her coworkers with the myriad of hot, cold, blended and packaged beverages. It was often fast paced work, with grueling hours on her feet, but the schedule allowed her to make time for homework ahead of her evening online classes.
Overall, Mandy's job was working out fine, although she wished for more free time, even time with her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But that was the plight of any college kid who had to work on the side, she told herself. Mandy's parents provided what financial support they could, but as the oldest of four siblings, there was only so much to go around so she needed the additional income to cover her rent. The issue of paying down student loans was a future mountain to climb, one that she blocked out of her mind in the present. In that context, she was a diligent young woman who was well-received when she spoke up, but was usually content to keep her head down and get the work done. She considered herself private, although others thought her shy. Most days, she just felt over-committed; to school, to work, and to life.
She recognized him as soon as he entered the shop this morning. He was one of those regular customers who came in often enough to be familiar, but not enough to know by name. He was older, and handsome... very handsome, Mandy thought, and was happy to greet him as he ordered a large latte. His jeans and sports coat mirrored his usual attire.
Unlike past mornings he made intentional, extended eye contact, his dark brown eyes lingering as he smiled, and used her name as he swiped his card for payment. "Thanks Mandy. It's nice to see you again." Mandy felt flattered, as if he had picked her out of the entire world to flirt with her this morning.
She smiled and asked what name to put on his order. "Randall...just Randall," he answered. She thought it odd that he answered that way; it's not like they needed his full name for a beverage order, but she grinned back to him saying, "Well, ok then, JUST Randall, we'll have that right out for you." Then she wrote Just Randall using her best penmanship on the paper cup and passed it over to the coworker assigned that task this particular morning.
As she moved to greet the next customer she took every opportunity to look over his way, make eye contact and smile, which he reciprocated each time while he waited at the other end of the counter. Even though she was back ON at this point with her boyfriend, it felt good to be noticed by a nice looking man, especially one so polite and polished. Truth be told, she thought it was fun.
His latte was soon ready and her coworker called out the name on the cup, signaling the end of their flirty exchange across the shop. Mandy had just finished with the last customer in line as he picked up his beverage, read the "Just Randall" written on the side and veered her direction instead of walking to the exit. Grinning confidently, he leaned in across the counter, looked into Mandy's eyes, and spoke the words that she could not get out of head... "You're going to sleep with me tonight."
Then he turned and left.
Mandy was stunned. If he had still been standing in front of her she might have considered slapping him. Instead, she watched him exit the coffee shop and walk to his car, never looking back.
Despite being silently offended and overwhelmed, Mandy did her best to keep focused on her job. Fortunately, no one had noticed their exchange, nor how frazzled she felt inside. Perhaps it was a good thing that her job did not require too much mental concentration after all.
Before long, it was almost time for the lunch rush to start, and Mandy had finally begun to settle back into the normal cadence of any barista; Which is to smile, be friendly, listen carefully and work efficiently. But at 11:15, when Randall walked in the door again, she froze, adrenaline rushing through her body. She was not afraid... she did not feel threatened... but nonetheless she was still paralyzed as she watched him approach.
He walked straight to her at the counter, his confident smile still displayed, a white envelope in his hand. "Hi Mandy. I might have offered a better explanation for myself earlier this morning. I brought you this to help explain it all. You can read it whenever you have a minute." Then as swiftly as he had arrived he was gone again.
The entire exchange took less than 30 seconds. Only one coworker even noticed and asked, "What was that about?" Mandy tried to act naturally and hide her embarrassment, "Oh, nothing. He's a regular customer who wanted to give me a coupon to the other coffee shop he frequents. Weird..." She shrugged in a "whatever" sort of way to dismiss the conversation as she folded the envelope and slipped it into her back pocket.
Right After lunch she took a break as soon as possible and hurried to the ladies room where she locked a stall and opened the envelope to learn its contents. Inside was an oversized white card, with a printed invitation on one side.
You are Cordially Invited to a Private Tryst
At the Residence of
Randall (Just Randall)
This Evening, 5PM