Romance in the Real World [Closed]

Eve's hands started to tremble as she stared at the little gray word that had appeared under her message bubble: Delivered. There was no taking it back now… She began to hyperventilate as anxiety took over her body. A quiet whimper escaped her, and she curled deeper under her blanket. Back to safety. Away from the world and everyone who would hurt her. This was why she only lived in the pages. This was why she didn't date. This was why–

Her screen lit up, and Eve sat up slowly. She reached for her phone and hesitantly unlocked the screen. An enthusiastic text practically jumped off the screen at her, and the little "…" bubble appeared to signal that Selene was already typing up something else. She couldn't help the little burst of anxiety at the follow-up remark. What if Selene had given her the wrong number to mess with her? The "what ifs" began piling up in her mind, but they were just as quickly silenced by one other thought: But she didn't. This was obviously Selene texting her. Eve let out a long, quiet exhale of relief.

Though as she read over the two gray texts, Eve hesitated a moment. What was she supposed to say back? She was overthinking this – big time. Twice, she almost began typing, but she changed her mind each time. Eve was about three seconds away from turning off her phone and going back to watching her comfort show when another text appeared.

Eve couldn't help herself as she smiled. The words made her feel good like there was actually someone who cared about her. But still, a small part of her wondered if she still wanted someone to care about her. Sometimes, it was easier without someone who cared. Too quickly for her anxiety to stop her, Eve typed up a response and hit the little blue send button.

Can't sleep, so I'm watching my favorite show. And I could say the same about you. Why are you still awake?

Eve blinked in surprise as almost immediately, Selene began to type a response. Obviously, she was waiting for Eve’s texts. The thought took her by surprise. She was used to responding quickly then being gaslit for doing so. Countless others had made her play their games, and she wasn’t going to be too quick to decide about Selene. Eve knew her approach was slightly cynical, but it had kept her protected since her last relationship.

She shook her head and giggled quietly in response to Selene’s message. This girl was too interesting for Eve to ignore. If she wasn’t careful…

No. She would be careful. She had to be. After rereading the text three more times, Eve took a deep breath and typed out another response.

That is most definitely not helping, darling. I’m watching How I Met Your Mother

Once the message was sent, Eve felt stupid. The show was a romcom, and it embarrassed her for some reason to admit it to Selene.

Eve sighed and went back to watching her show. It was a good show, but a little old. She honestly wasn't expecting Selene to know about it since it had been almost ten years since the last episode of the last season was released.

Her phone lit up with another message, and Eve checked it. The first thing she noticed was the term of endearment Selene had used. Dear. Eve blinked quickly before realizing exactly what she'd said in her last message. She had been the one to start it by calling the other woman 'darling.' She hadn't even thought about it. She called nearly everyone darling. It was part of her British-ness.

But Selene had responded to it. If Eve was reading the message right, it seemed that the other woman might have even liked it. But did Eve?

She couldn't help her giggle at the second message. So Selene did recognize the show! She knew enough to know a delightful little detail, and that was more than Eve had thought she would know. Very interesting.

Immediately, Eve began to type up a reply, not even realizing her anxiety had faded the more she talked to this girl.

It may not seem like there could be a difference, but I promise you there is.

Yes! I'm surprised you know it! I love the episode where Ted teaches Barney how to date Robin. It's so fetching!

(I have plans now… 😏 Katherine and the other baristas could teach Selene how to woo/date Eve ;))

Eve was again surprised by how quickly Selene messaged her back. It was really like the girl was reading Eve's messages the second they came through and immediately responding. This sort of attention was something Eve was wholly unfamiliar with.

She chuckled quietly and shook her head at the response. After rereading it three more times, she was about to type up a reply, but then a second message from Selene came through. A soft smile broke out on her lips as much as Eve tried to hold it back. Hardly ever in the past did a partner show a genuine interest in what Eve liked. Most simply put on whatever show they pleased without consulting her, but the worst one told her that she was too into the romantics of a relationship and needed to grow up. Right before he tried to make moves on her, and she fled his apartment without looking back.

A quick shake of her head dismissed the memory from her mind. She didn't want to think about him, especially not when she was messaging Selene. So, Eve inhaled steadily and typed.

Please promise me that you'll find something that works. I'm sure future Selene will thank me 🥱

I've rewatched most of the episodes more than I care to admit. Though it is getting rather late. Future Eve doesn't want to fall asleep over the counter tomorrow, so I'll try to turn in for the night

Then, not knowing what possessed her to say such a thing, Eve sent a third little blurb of a text.

Will I see you in the shop tomorrow?

Eve read Selene's first message back and laughed quietly.

You'd better try! And don't worry darling. I likely would have stayed up this late anyway.

Before she sent it, she read it back over. Her eyes widened when she noticed her word usage again. Darling. She bit her lip and deleted the word before she sent the message. Once it was sent, she reached for the remote and turned off her TV. Then, using her phone's flashlight, she made her way from her little living room to her bedroom, where she collapsed on the downy mattress. "I've been waiting for you all day, my love," she mumbled into the comforter before stretching for her phone charger. She plugged it in, and just as she sat it on the nightstand, the screen lit up again.

Eve huffed quietly and sat up to read it. What she saw made her heart race. Maybe it wasn't the way Selene intended it to be read, but the way Eve processed it… the message back was incredibly flirty. She swallowed heavily, some of her anxiety returning. But another message came through… only to send her heart rate peaking again. Not great right before she was about to go to bed. She licked her lips, swallowed, and forced herself to type out a final message for the night.

Well I'm kipping down for the night. I'll see you tomorrow then 😊 Good night

Maybe it was a little shorter than Selene was probably hoping for and a bit blunt, but Eve hadn't realized what kind of territory they were straying into. She couldn't… She wasn't ready for another relationship. It was what she'd told herself for years now. Safety. Her routine, her house, her comfort, her patterns – they were all designed for her safety. Without waiting for anything in return, she shut off her phone, put it on her nightstand, and closed her eyes.

Eve’s morning started off interesting enough at All City right when she walked in. She’d woken up off a solid four and a half hours of sleep and had thought about nothing but her conversation with Selene since she woke up. Had she misjudged the girl? Was she only trying to be friendly? Had it been the late night getting to both of them? The thoughts ran rampant in her mind.

By now, the Englishwoman was ready for her morning cold brew. But what she saw instead made her blood run cold. Two male customers were leaning almost halfway over the counter, waving their coffee cups, and yelling at the baristas on duty. Eve recognized Jenny, who the rest of the staff affectionately called Jelly or Jelly Bean, and Bea as the two on the receiving end of the men’s anger.

“Enough!” Eve demanded, not even slipping out of her coat as she rounded the counter and glared at the men. To her delight, she was taller than both of them, especially in her heels. “What seems to be the problem here?”

The men ducked back to their rightful side of the counter and glanced at each other. Obviously, neither of them had counted on the arrival of a third, taller barista. Finally, one of them spoke. “She got our order wrong,” he accused, pointing a finger at Jenny.

Jenny’s eyes were wide as she shook her head. “I-I-I-I didn’t,” she stammered. Bea wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders.

“She did,” the other man agreed. “We want a refund and free drinks.”

Eve’s eyes narrowed. “Let me see the drinks.”

The second man shook his head. “We’d like to speak with the manager. They-” a pause and pointed finger at Jenny and Bea “-said she wasn’t here yet. We’re not leaving until she gets here to give us a refund.”

Eve arched her eyebrows. “I am the manager. And the owner. I’ll only repeat myself once more. Let me see the drinks.”

The men exchanged another look before setting the cups on the counter. Eve took them, looked at the label, and dumped them both in the trash can. Both men opened up their mouths, but Eve was already prepared. “Get out,” she ordered coldly. It was nearly a snarl. “Or I will call the police. Don’t ever bully my baristas again. Find somewhere else to get your coffee order wrong.”

The men immediately headed for the door.

“Yeah, go to Starbucks!” Bea yelled after them.

Eve waited until the men were out of sight, then smacked her. “Bea!”

“Ow!” Bea moaned. “What did I do?”

Eve frowned knowingly. “You know what you did. Now go get the next customer.”

Bea sighed but went to do as she was told while Eve guided Jenny out of sight. She knew Bea was tough and could handle herself. Hell, she’d probably been arguing with the men before Eve arrived. But Jenny was the newest hire and the youngest member of the staff. It was her first job.

Once they were alone, Eve pulled the girl into a gentle hug. Jenny immediately burst into tears and trembled. “It’s alright, darling,” she murmured reassuringly. “It’s alright. They were arseholes, and they’re gone. Breath, darling, breathe.”

After a minute or so, Jenny settled herself down. “Stay back here for a bit,” Eve said softly. “I’ll come and get you if we really need you. Take some time. Bea and I are here.”

Jenny nodded, teary-eyed. “Thank you, Miss Springett.”

Eve smiled warmly and rubbed Jenny’s shoulder. “I’ve told you before to call me Eve.”

With that, Eve slipped her coat off, pulled her hair up, and went to take the next customer’s order.

The morning flew by in a oddly patterned combination cold brews and lattes and espressos. Finally, when a little lull hit, Eve braced herself on the counter and sighed.

Beside her, Bea turned toward her and spoke with uncharacteristic shyness in her voice, “Thank you for what you did earlier, Eve. Most places I’ve worked, the managers just sit there and take it. Honestly, there was one who even yelled at me in front of a whole store full of customers. I just wanted to say thank you for doing that for me and Jelly.”

Eve turned her head over and smiled softly at the short, blonde-haired, blue-eyed spitfire. She couldn’t imagine anyone yelling at Bea without Bea throwing her own two cents back in their face.

“You’re welcome, Bea,” Eve murmured. “I just did what I thought was right. I’ll always defend you, and anyone else who works behind the counter here.”

Bea grinned. “Well then, you’re a few long strides ahead of most other people who work in food service.” Then something behind Eve caught Bea’s attention, and her eyes lit up. “Jelly!”

Eve turned to see Jenny re-emerging from the little back room looking good as new. “Hello darling,” she greeted the girl with a smile. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yes, Mi— Eve. Thank you,” Jenny replied sweetly.

Eve nodded and turned to glance out the huge glass in the front of her shop. Without even trying, her eyes caught on Selene and Joey heading out of the book store and coming toward All City. Her stomach did a little flip, and she prayed that Bea and Jenny had no knowledge of anything that happened last night during Katherine’s shift.

Eve couldn't help herself. Her eyes kept glancing out the windows to track Joey and Selene as they neared All-City. Their body language with little gestures and nudges suggested some kind of casual topic. She couldn't help but wonder what they were talking about.

After directing the next customer to where Bea was waiting, Eve noticed Selene's wave. She was about to wave back, but the other girl had already turned away. Eve's expression dropped a bit, and she looked down so Selene wouldn't notice if she looked back over.

When she looked up again, Eve noticed Joey walking away to sit down on one of the leather couches lining the room. They were one of Eve's favorite things about the shop. But she was quickly distracted by Selene as the girl made it to her register. The bright greeting and little bounces of Selene caught the attention of Bea, who had just finished helping her customer and was handing the cup to Jenny to make the order. She smirked subtly and observed, much to Eve's irritation. Bea and Katherine could have been relationship meddling sisters.

Eve's expression faded into one of soft shock. The woman's smile was just adorable. And what she was asking Eve to do… She blinked a moment before realizing how stupid she must've looked and quickly glanced down at her tablet, which was waiting for the next order to be entered. "Alright," Eve murmured. But she hesitated and looked back up at Selene before confirming the order. "You're sure about this?"

"Oh, come on, Eve!" Bea urged knowingly. "Get the pretty girl her drink!" Even Jenny stopped to observe the scene after making the drink for Bea's last customer.

Eve flushed brilliantly and looked at Selene. "You're sure?" she asked again, quieter this time. There was a flash of shyness in her eyes as she waited for an answer.

Bea snickered off to the side, and it was all Eve could do to keep her composure together and not smack the girl in the arm again. “I’ll make sure Eve doesn’t put anything unsavory in your drink,” she remarked.

Eve almost immediately shot her a side eye glare. “Like hell you will,” she muttered, tapping on her tablet to input the drink she was planning on making.

“Oooh, possessive, are we?” Bea cooed, and at once, Eve realized she’d been baited. A brilliant blush appeared on her face. Jenny giggled too for a second before hurrying to deliver drinks around the restaurant.

She listened to Selene’s mini rant and with a start, she realized that the woman was unknowingly describing her. But unlike Eve, Selene was bold enough to reach out of her comfort zone and try new things. It made Eve’s stomach tighten, but she also felt relieved. She didn’t quite understand the reason though.

Finally, Eve submitted the drink. “Don’t worry about paying, this one is on the house,” she murmured before reaching for a medium sized cup. Teasing her, Bea reached for the same cup and glanced at the monitor to check what drink Eve had input. The taller women, however, slapped her hand away and gave her a look before walking back to make the drink herself.

With her boss out of the way, Bea leaned slightly over the counter and smirked. “So what’s your name? Or else I’m just gonna call you, Mysterious Girl Who Shamelessly Flirts With My Boss.”

Bea snickered. "I said you were flirting. And if that wasn't flirting, then I don't know what is," she retorted, briefly acknowledging the knowing grin with a wink of her own. "All I know is that I've never ever seen Eve get that worked up before. So let me tell you, girlie, you're something."

She grinned at the curtsy and glanced over her shoulder to see Eve watching them. The woman gave Bea a look, to which Bea only shrugged in response before turning back to the girl, who had introduced herself as Selene. Her eyes darted to Joey, then back as the girl continued talking.

Mischief sparked in Bea's expression. "The bookshop across the street, huh? Well, when you've been working around Eve as long as I have, you learn stuff about her. Mainly that she doesn't get this flustered with someone who just walked through the door. I'm assuming you two have met before? Please tell me she's been in your bookshop. She writes, do you know that? Her own novels. But she has yet to let another soul read them. She's so private. Oh, and she's definitely not obsessed with romance books." Another quick wink. "I've seen her blushing like hell while reading them, so I'm assuming it's not all PG rated, you know what I mean?"

Bea smirked to herself at that. “Yeah, okay,” she replied coyly. There was definitely some “more than friends” action going on between the two, whether Selene or Eve would admit it or not. Hell, Eve never would admit it on her own. She definitely struggled with romantic relationships, that was for sure.

Bea hadn’t known Eve as long as some other employees, like Katherine, but she wasn’t completely new to the scene either, like Jenny. But she’d been around long enough to at least witness Eve’s last relationship. A guy named Peter. He’d basically used her for her money, then broke up with her when she stopped letting him spend whatever he wanted on her card.

The worse part was that she had been desperately in love with him, so she pleaded to win him back. He’d slept with her, stolen her credit card, then left again. Eve managed to lock her card before he could actually use it, but the emotional damage had already been done. She’d been miserable for weeks.

Eve was normally standoffish or cold, especially to men. She had given up on the hope of genuine kindness in the world, but when Selene had approached her with the drawing, then come back to check on her and ask for her number… something had clicked inside of Eve. It was like the possibility of genuine kindness was real, and she’d found it in the form of Selene. And when the relationship had veered into flirty, it felt so natural that Eve hadn’t realized the path they were heading down until it was 2 in the morning and she was up texting the strange, beautiful girl she’d met just hours earlier.

Bea nodded at Selene’s words. Her eyebrows arched in disbelief. “Days?” she asked incredulously. “You’ve only known her for days? I would have guessed at least a week, maybe two or three. She’s so open with you,” the girl marveled. “I wonder if she’d let you read something she wrote. No one here knows what she writes, but she sits at that—” a pause to point at a specific chair “—spot every day for almost 2 hours looking around and people watching and writing.”

It didn’t take a genius to notice Selene was distracted, and it was even easier to guess why. Eve was back in the “coffee making area” blending ingredients together and squirting something along the inside of the cup. She was so focused on the drink that when she looked up and noticed Selene looking at her, she jumped slightly before refocusing on pouring vanilla syrup into the mixture she had going. As silly as it sounded since Eve was a barista, she was an expert in her field.

Bea smirked expectantly as she waited for Selene’s reaction. When it came, the barista enjoyed watching the young woman stammer over her words and put together her rationale regarding Eve’s secretive love of smut. “Justify it however you want,” she teased. “Just don’t tell her I told you.” Bea took Selene’s glare easily, miming a kiss in return. That had Eve immediately finishing the drink and beelining for the counter.

“Back so soon?” Bea chirped at Eve’s hurried arrival. She smiled innocently as expressions played across her boss’s face until she settled on a frown directed at her employee.

“You’re incredibly frustrating,” Eve muttered before turning to Selene with a softened expression and put the drink on the counter in front of her. “Would you like me to tell you what it is before or after you try it?” she asked.

Eve’s misfortune with relationships was one for the record books. Aside from Peter, there had been countless others who abused her trust and love. Wesley, who cheated on Eve three separate within two weeks, was another one Bea was familiar with off the top of her head. The poor woman had been in denial the entire time until she had actually found him in her apartment bedding someone else on her couch. She’d broken up with him immediately, sold the couch, and moved soon after.

Before Wesley, Bea remembered something about a Kaden. He had been his own special breed of psycho, but she didn’t remember the details. Before Kaden had been Tyler, and before Tyler had been Caleb, and before Caleb… a lot more. Eve’s list of exes was long and full of stupid, heartbreaking men. In Bea’s opinion — an opinion that was shared between all the baristas who worked for All City — Eve was way out of any of their leagues. And they weren’t just saying that because Eve was their boss and friend. She’d dated some questionable creatures.

Bea’s eyebrows arched. “I really can’t believe that,” she replied with a small smile. “You two must have really hit it off.” She scoffed quietly under her breath. If only Selene knew what she was getting into with the owner of All City. “You have no idea what kind of routines she has,” the woman mumbled, half to herself.

“I was just saying,” Bea remarked casually. “I’ve asked her to read it. You know what she did? This.” She made a vulgar gesture with her middle finger and grinned. “It was all the response I expected it to be and more.”

Though Bea’s grin faltered a second at Selene’s laugh. The woman didn’t deserve any kind of torment. She was too sweet, too kind, and much too trusting. Or at least she had been. What the baristas did was distract her as best they could from the reminders of her exes. Any little jabs were well placed and intended to draw Eve’s focus away from something else, likely related to an ex of hers. Well, except for Bea. Sometimes she just enjoyed watching Eve loose her cool or turn red with embarrassment.

Her eyes widened in shock at the little remark, and she grinned. “Damn, you’re cruel,” she teased. But before she could say any more, Eve approached. The look on her face was passive, an attempt at an unreadable expression. But Bea was good with people. She knew the flirting, fake as it was on her end, had gotten under Eve’s skin more than she wanted to let on. With Eve’s extended history of being cheated on and knowing the possibility there was for these two women to become something, she instantly backed off.

Eve’s heart raced as she watched Selene mockingly look at the cup. She blinked quickly and was about to take a little step back when Bea moved over beside her. Eve eyed the other woman briefly as she felt Bea’s hand settled on her back. Keeping her here. Not able to run from what might be another-

No, Eve told herself. This is just coffee. She nodded at the response. “Alright,” she agreed. “After.” She watched as Selene took a sip of the drink. It was Eve’s personal favorite - a cold brew with her own custom vanilla sweet cream cold foam. She even added in a few extra pumps of vanilla to the cold brew after learning the Selene preferred a regular vanilla latte, and she could only pray that Selene wouldn’t hate it.

(Here’s what it looks like, minus the Starbies logo obviously lol)

Bea watched the dynamic between the three of them. She grinned and moved over to the next register at the appropriate time to take the order of another couple who had been deciding what they wanted to get. Then, she took Joey’s and Kai’s orders so Eve could keep talking to Selene.

Eve hesitantly watched the second and third sips. She wished her heart could stop racing. Without Bea behind her for support, Eve discreetly braced herself against the counter as she listened to Selene’s guesses. Her hesitant, worried expression slowly began to turn into a soft smile. The commentary was amusing, and the girl was incredibly accurate.

“It’s a cold brew with vanilla sweet cream cold foam,” Eve answered. “I added a few extra pumps of vanilla… three I think. The sweet cream cold foam is my custom recipe.”

“Yeah, Starbucks could never,” Bea quipped with a grin. The customer she was in the middle of taking their order frowned slightly at the distraction.

Eve’s eyes widened slightly, giving Bea a warning look. The other barista quickly went back to her job, and Jenny was hurrying through the kitchen to get all the incoming orders made.

“I’m very glad you like it,” Eve remarked, softening her tone and lowering her voice slightly. “That’s one of my personal favorites. I recommend trying it with a pump of vanilla and a pump of caramel.” She grinned knowingly and winked at Selene, like it was a big secret they were sharing.

(Hey yeah sorry… I’ve been so fucking busy, stressed, and also unmotivated, so not a good combination)

Eve blushed at the compliment on the drink. And Selene’s grin made her heart skip a beat.

She bit her lip slightly at the comment, then watched as the other girl continued to drink. She was almost frozen in place, but she didn’t want to move. She was content simply being with Selene. Imaginary scenarios began to leak into her mind… watching a movie together, sitting beside each other reading books, sharing their favorite playlists with each other…

Immediately Eve stiffened, just in time to hear Selene talking again. “I’ve been debating it,” she admitted. “But I don’t know what to call it.” All the drinks on the menu had cute little names that went with them. It was another barista, Laura, who was in charge of the chalkboards and naming the drinks. But each barista had at least one drink on the menu with a name they chose. All but Eve.

“Oh,” she murmured quietly as Selene waved and walked over to the table with her brother and his boyfriend. “Alright.” Eve hide her disappointment, and that’s when it hit her. The disappointment. She hadn’t felt like this in months. No… no no no no no…

Quickly, she turned to Bea. “I’m going to the restroom,” she said shortly. “Manage things quickly.” Then, she rushed off toward the back of the little store toward the employee bathrooms. Bea blinked and glance briefly between where Selene sat and Eve had gone.