Chapter Two

 

Two hours later, and the coffee shop was jumping. The regulars liked to get in before their jobs started, and Brigid greeted them like old friends. She took the orders and worked the register while the baristas, Mary and Deb, expertly made the drinks. The three kept up a lively banter as they worked, and they often involved the customers in their discussions.

Today they were debating if the Chargers had a shot at the playoffs. Mary was a huge fan, and she was detailing the merits of the team with enthusiasm.

Brigid couldn’t resist teasing her. “Girl, you know they don’t have a chance. The quarterback is easy on the eyes, but his aim isn’t the greatest, and he tends to wander out of the pocket.”

Mary started to argue, but Deb cut her off. She placed a mocha on the counter and asked, “So what are we talking about here? The quarterback’s skill on the field, or in the bedroom?”

Everyone started to laugh, and Mary blushed. She was well into her sixties and a bit on the prim side. Then she shocked them all by saying, “He probably doesn’t need perfect aim in the bedroom. That man is big, and well, you know, his thing probably is as well. He can wander a bit and still hit his mark.” Then she winked.

The room erupted in laughter. Out of the corner of her eye, Brigid noticed the new guy had come in and was waiting his turn in line. He had an amused expression on his face and had clearly caught the entire conversation. Brigid felt her heart rate go up a beat.

The new guy had started coming in about a month ago, and word on the street was that he’d moved from Los Angeles for a job. He was tall, maybe an inch or two taller than Brigid, and he had a solid build. It was the kind that could engulf a girl in a big, sweet bear hug and make her feel all protected and safe. He also had expressive hands. She liked to imagine how they would feel running up and down her body. She guessed he was in his late thirties, as evidenced by the touch of gray in his hair, and he had the sweetest rear end she had ever seen.

Brigid nicknamed all her regular customers based on the drinks they ordered. When it was the new guy’s turn, she greeted him with “Latte Extra Foam, how’s it going?”

He grinned at her and replied, “Great. How are you?”

“Oh, you know, living the dream. Going with the usual today?”

He nodded. “Yes, and I think I’ll try one of those bear claws too.”

Brigid suppressed a smile as she bagged his order. The man had quite the sweet tooth, and he bought one of Kiki’s desserts every morning with his coffee. She decided he must be a runner or something to burn off all that sugar, because he was one hot specimen of manhood. As he left with his order, she gave him another secret nickname. Hot Buns.

Brigid looked forward to seeing Hot Buns every morning, and the two started chatting more and more each time. She now knew he was an engineer for the city, an avid Rams fan, and single. She found the latter out one day when he was checking his emails and grunted.

“What’s wrong? City got you working late again?” she asked.

He looked up and shook his head. There was a worry line on his forehead, and she suddenly had the urge to smooth it with her hand.

He gave her an exasperated look. “Just another friend wanting to fix me up on a blind date. The last one I went on was sheer torture.”

She tutted sympathetically as she rang his order. “Well, it’s nice to have friends who care, but I feel your pain. The last blind date I went on came up to about here on me,” she gave him his change as she gestured toward her neck area with her other hand.

He laughed, and she noted his eyes lingered on her breasts. Before she could react, he had taken his change and pastry and moved down to wait for the latte. It was the first time he had checked her out, and once again, she felt her heart rate go up.

The next day Hot Buns was late. He got into the shop after the work crowd diminished, and he showed no inclination of leaving. He leaned against the counter, sipped his coffee, and tore off chunks of the chocolate croissant he ordered. While he ate, he chatted with Brigid about the upcoming Fourth of July celebration.

She was kneeling down stocking the pastries, and she laughed at his description of the mayor’s float for the parade. As she stood up, she smoothed down her skirt and slid the display-case door shut. Only then did she notice him checking her out.

His eyes lingered on her size eleven wedge sandals. Then they slowly moved up her smooth legs, by far her most feminine feature, before taking in her perky C-cup breasts. His gaze finally came to rest on her eyes, and there was an odd expression on his face.

Brigid wondered if he had just clued into her trans status. If that was the case, he was rather dense, but she didn’t have time to think about that now. She worried he might be a bigot, and she quickly sent Mary into the back room to distract Kiki. There was no way her friend could handle a nasty comment in her current state. It was better to be safe than sorry.

Her thoughts were interrupted when he spoke. “It was nice chatting with you, Brigid. You always make my day. By the way, my name’s Brad, and you have the most beautiful smile I have ever seen.” With that, he walked out of the store.

She watched him go with a bemused expression her face. She was hot and bothered for a good hour after he left.