Copyright Β© February 2018 by CiaoSteve
CiaoSteve reserves the right to be identified as the author of this work.
This story cannot be published, as a whole or in part, without the express agreement of the author other than the use of brief extracts as part of a story review.
This is a work of fiction. The events described here are imaginary; the settings and characters are fictitious and are not intended to represent specific places or living persons.
Author's Notes
Foreword #1 : All sexually active characters in this series are over 18
Foreword #2 : This is a story and intended as such.
Foreword #3 : There is no sex in this chapter. That is intentional so apologies if it does not meet your expectations.
Foreword #4 : This is part 2 of Another Cup of Coffee. Although there is a short recap at the start you may want to go back and read part one to understand the story so far.
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Kat Reynolds' life hadn't turned out quite the way that she had intended. A failed marriage behind her and a lost career, she now found herself rebuilding her life as a barista at a railway station coffee stand. Even though it was a disappointment, there were positives. She had quickly made friends and for sure the new life was so much better than the spiteful relationship that she had endured during her short marriage.
There were ups and downs, happy times and sad, but life went on and Kat had convinced herself that she was not in the market for another man. Christmas was just around the corner and boy how Kat loved everything about it; from the decorations turning everywhere into tinsel town through the scent of pine needles on the tree and finally the joy of giving and receiving presents. For Kat this should be the highlight of the year, but it just didn't feel the same this time around. For the first time she could remember, it was going to be a Christmas alone.
Kat had just wrapped up another day at the coffee stand and sat at home on the end of her bed reflecting on a folded piece of paper given to her by one of the regulars.
Fancy another cup of coffee?
I'll be at Maxim's on Saturday, 10:00
Love to have you join me
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
But
what if he was just like all the others? Just after one thing, the thing that I really didn't feel like giving to anyone just now. That failed relationship was still raw in my mind and I sure didn't want to make the same mistake twice.
But
I had to admit that I liked him. Mr Double French, god he didn't even have a name for fuck sake. He was no more than another cup of coffee, and not even one which remotely described him. He was tall, dark and handsome with a Mediterranean complexion yet here I was naming him after a short black coffee. I had to admit though that there was something about him. I couldn't quite put a finger on what it was, but our Double French had really caught my attention. What's more, now he had invited me out for coffee.
My mind was playing games, ping pong between what could be and what should be. The arguments were there, both sides fighting their own corner, unheard to the outside world but most definitely battling away inside my subconscious mind.
"Was there any harm in a simple cup of coffee?"
"You don't want another Kat, mark my words he'll be just like the all the rest."
"But, it's only a cup of coffee?"
"What starts as a cup of coffee could end up anywhere. Is that what you want?"
"I don't know. He is charming. Just a cup of coffee and I can always leave if I need to."
"Kat, my girl, remember the last one. Remember all the hurt you left behind."
With a torrent of confused emotions running through my mind, I did the only safe thing. A screwed up piece of paper flew across the bedroom, landing on the floor at the side of the waste paper bin. My conscience had won the battle and, decision made, I settled down for the night.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Back at work it was like nothing had happened. Even Susie, my closest friend, never mentioned the note or the invitation to coffee from a tall dark stranger. It was helped in part by the fact that Double French didn't appear for his usual coffee. I had already pushed the invite to the back of my mind, once again having convinced myself that a life without ties was the right one for me. That was, until we shut up shop on the Friday evening and set off for home. Walking through a now almost desolate station, with Susie alongside,we reflected on our troubles in life, knowing that once we reached the end of the concourse we would go our separate ways. It was half way there when the conversation turned.
"So Kat, what are you gonna wear?"
"Eh?" I responded, a little taken aback by the sudden change in conversation.
"You know, for your hot date with Mr Darcy," Susie continued, teasing even more.
"It's not a date and he's not Mr Darcy," I scolded. "He's called Double French, oh fuck he doesn't even have a name, not that it matters as I'm not going."
"You're joking aren't you. He's totally delish and I can see it in your eyes. You like him my girl and here he is giving you a gilt edged opportunity to get to know you. Really are you going to throw it all away? Do you know how many others would jump at the chance?"
"You don't understand Susie. I'm just not ready for another . . ."
I never finished the sentence, my words suddenly coming from Susie's mouth.
". . . another cup of coffee. That's all it is, an offer of a cup of coffee. Mark my words, you'll regret it if you don't at least meet him."