Your Biggest Misconception

Picking up the white coffee mug, I poured more of the famous brown liquid into it before setting it back down. “Anything else you need Mr. Wilson?” I asked as I set his check down on his table for the regular of the restaurant I had known for years.

“No thank you Kali. I’m good.” He gave me the genuine, crooked smile that lit up my day.

“Alright. Enjoy your afternoon sir.”

I went and replaced the coffee pot on the maker and reached behind me to untie my apron. It felt good to be back at work but I was once again exhausted and could go for my own cup of coffee.

“He’s been in here all day you know.” Manda stated from behind me as she leaned against the wall with her arms folded just under her bust.

“And what exactly am I supposed to do about that?” I hissed as I glanced over at the black haired man who had indeed been taking up a table all day. Amanda had taken to serving him since I had refused the second he walked in the door. He had ordered a sandwich and since then had just sort of sat there and picked at his French fries.

Amanda just gave me a look before she pushed me around the counter and gave me a good shove in his direction.

I ran a hand over my face in frustration. I had no idea why he was here all day but he did kind of look out of sorts.

“Hey.” I said softly as I took a seat in the empty booth across from him. He had slight bags under his eyes and I figured he hadn’t slept much since the run in at the bar with his ex.

He looked up and his green eyes met mine. A soft smile made it’s way across his face, shocking me slightly. “Hi.”

“So you’ve been here all day. What’s wrong?” I asked sort of bluntly.

He simply laughed and shrugged his shoulders. The reaction was exactly the one I had been expecting. “I just needed to clear my thoughts. I haven’t slept well lately.”

“I can tell.”

He laughed a little more loudly this time as he fiddled with his glass of coke that now only contained melted ice cubes. “That bad?”

“Sort of.” I replied with a sideways smile.

“Do you want to go get a coffee?”

His question completely caught me off guard. Not only was it random but I partly couldn’t believe he was asking me of all people if I wanted to go get a coffee with him.

When I looked up it was to find him looking at me with his head tilted to the side slightly. “I’m serious.” He finally said when I remained speechless.

“Alright.” I was finally able to answer. He gave me a soft smile and then stood up from the booth, me following behind. “Just let me get my purse from the back.”

He nodded as I turned around to head to the back room. “Well?” Amanda asked as I pushed the door open.

“He asked me to go get coffee.” I said with a puzzled tone. I was still confused as to why he asked me of all people to go. It’s not exactly like we got along.

“Well you’re going right?” She asked with an excited tone. Why she would be excited about this was still beyond me.

“I’m getting my purse.” I informed her with a laugh as she started to dance around the back room.

“Go get him girl!”

“Amanda!” I replied with another laugh. She was nuts. I was not going to coffee with Zack because I liked him. I was going because I felt he needed a friend. It was the least I could do. I never liked seeing any friend of mine upset. Zack was a “kind of” friend. We were getting there.

I grabbed my purse and slung it over my shoulder before waving over my shoulder at my still dancing best friend.

Zack was waiting by the door with his hands in his pockets. He opened the door for me and I stepped through. I thought he gesture was rather nice. Zack seemed to be taking me by surprise this afternoon.

“So there’s this coffee shop in Costa Mesa I thought we could go to. It’s a little local place but it’s really good.”

“Alright. That sounds good to me. If you give me the address I can meet you there.” I said as I pulled out my car keys.

“That’s ok. I can drive. There’s no sense in both of us driving when we both just have to turn back around to come here again. Do you have a jacket in your car though? It tends to be cold in there. They have central AC so it kicks on rather often.” He explained as we walked toward the parking lot.

“I have a jacket.” I said softly. I really didn’t want Zack to see what type of car I drove. While I was proud of my car when Brian was around I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed by it in front of Zack. Zack had this air about him that made it seem like he had the best of everything. I already knew he drove something that was way out of my league.

“I’ll walk to your car with you to get it.” He informed me much to my chagrin.

I grimaced to myself as I headed for the small alley that I usually parked my car in.

“What kind of car do you drive?” He asked after a moment of walking silently.

“A crappy one.” I mumbled as I pointed to my run down car that was parked just up ahead. “But it gets me from point A to point B and that’s really all the matters.”

Zack’s eyes widened much like Brian’s did the first time he saw my piece of shit car. “Oh.”

It wasn’t disgust that I picked up on in his voice. That’s what I was expecting but that was definitely not what I got. There was sadness in his voice. I couldn’t figure out why he would sound sad about what type of car I chose to drive. It wasn’t like he could fix anything and I didn’t expect him to. It was my piece of shit car and it would do.

I shoved my key into the door and then banged my fist against the metal while twisting the key. Zacky jumped slightly at the sudden sound but he regained his calm in a matter of seconds. “Sorry.” I mumbled as I pulled the door open and pushed my seat forward before grabbing my purple hoodie I always kept in the back seat of my car. I closed the door and locked it with more ease then it took to open the damn thing in the first place.

“Alright. Where are you parked?” I asked as I turned to face Zack with a grin. I was determined to make this afternoon enjoyable for myself. Zack wasn’t necessarily my favorite person but I figured he needed a friend and being in the company of a gorgeous guy couldn’t hurt for a few hours.

“One street over. You know you should really tell Amanda’s mom to invest in a parking lot.”

I laughed out loud at Zack’s statement. We had the small back lot for employees but everyone else was limited to street parking. That’s pretty much how Huntington Beach worked and I knew he knew that.

“Zack. That would involve taking someone else’s business for the lot. We do just fine and it doesn’t hurt our customers to walk a little extra.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets and nodded. “I guess you’re right.”

We arrived at Zack’s black BMW and he pulled his keys out of his pocket. His car was very similar to Brian’s only it was a slightly different model. “Your car is just like Brian’s.” I commented as he opened my door for me and I climbed in. He shut the door behind me and walked to the driver’s side before climbing in himself.

“It’s similar. This is only one of my cars though.” He added with a laugh before he suddenly cut himself off. It didn’t surprise me that he owned multiple cars but it was sort of depressing that he had nice ones and I had only one crappy one that would give out at any minute if it chose to.

Zack seemed to realize his mistake because he was quick to change the subject. “So I know you’re a Starbucks junkie but I think you’ll really like this place.”

I turned my head and gave him a smile. “I’m always up for a new coffee shop.”

“Good.” He grinned sideways at me as he pulled onto the PCH and we headed south. Costa Mesa was just down the PCH from Huntington Beach. It was incredibly close and with the way Zack drove we were there in a matter of minutes, typical for a Huntington native to completely ignore the speed limits in Orange County.

I recognized the shopping center the shop was in but I had never actually stopped to get coffee here before. The sign above the door said Kean Coffee. I climbed out of the car after Zack parked. He set the alarm and we headed in. He held the door open for me, which I found incredibly nice of him. “Zack!” A young girl said happily from behind the counter.

He gave her a grin and a small wave. “What’s up Colleen? How have you been?”

“I’ve been great! What about you?” The tone the girl was giving him was definitely a flirtatious one and I couldn’t help but let it bother me slightly. It shouldn’t have bothered me though and that in turn only aggravated me further.

“Been hanging in there. This is my friend Kali.” He said as he placed his hand on the small of my back gently as he guided me further toward the counter.

“Hi.” The girl said stiffly with a forced smile. She was definitely not winning me over. She had bleached blonde hair that looked quite over the top. It didn’t really suit her. She had pink manicured nails and had on a pink shirt under her black apron. She was chewing gum in a way that made me cringe. She was too far on the fake side for my liking.

“Would you like your usual Zack?” She asked turning her full attention back to him.

He smiled politely and nodded. “What would you like Kali?” He asked me. Wasn’t that her job to ask?

“An iced white mocha please.” I said as I started to dig in my purse for my wallet.

Zack placed his hand on mine to stop me from reaching in. “It’s on me. I invited you.”

I blinked a few times and then smiled. Part of me wanted to argue and insist I could pay for my own but I figured it was probably no use. Zack would win the same way Brian would if it was him that I was here with.

“Oh, ok. Thank you.”

He pulled is wallet from his back pocket and handed Colleen the infamous black credit card. She swiped it and then handed it back.

Without any more being said to her Zack led me over to a table that was situated in the corner of the shop. There were quite a few people sitting in here. Most had computers out and headphones in but there were a few couples that were chatting here and there. Soft music was playing so as to convey a relaxing atmosphere that most coffee shop patrons were incredibly familiar with. The shop’s décor was filled with warm colors that made you want to spend hours inside. I could tell this was a rainy day place haven for many just by the way it looked.

The only downfall was exactly as Zack had said, the air conditioning was on full blast and it was chilly.

I slipped my jacket on over my arms as I took a seat in one of the two comfy chairs Zack had picked out. He remained standing for a moment and I began to wonder why until Colleen called out our coffee orders. He walked over to the coffee bar and picked them up, sending her a smile and nothing else.

“Sorry about her.” He said as he set my drink down on the table that was situated between us. “She’s had a crush on me since I started coming here but she’s a bit much and too young for me. She’s only nineteen.” He explained as he took a sip of his hot coffee.

“Ah. I figured something like that was the case. Overly happy to you, a bitch to me.” Zack laughed as he shook his head with a sigh.

“Pretty much. Although I do have to say she was better natured to you then she ever was to Gena. That’s probably because Gena was always a bitch back so it only escalated.”

“Makes sense.” I said with a nod of my head as I took a sip of my coffee. I half expected it to taste off in some way since the lovely barista was not a fan of me but I was pleasantly surprised to find it tasted really good.

“Is it up to your standards?” Zack teased as he motioned to my drink I was now tenderly holding with two hands.

I narrowed my eyes playfully at him. “It quite possibly is.”

Zack mused a thoughtful hum as he sipped his own dose of caffeine. “Gena’s never was.”

“Well I’m not Gena.”

His eyes locked onto mine as I slid a shy grin on my face before diverting my attention back to my drink. “No, you’re definitely not.”

I could tell the way he said that statement meant that it was a good thing; a compliment of sorts but I couldn’t help but feel there was more to it then what I was seeing.

“So it’s nice to see you finally came around and realized I’m not a bitch.” I said matter of fact as he took another sip. His eyes widened slightly as he semi-choked on his drink. I don’t think he had been anticipating me saying that to him.

When he looked up with wide eyes I sent him a small smirk to show I was intending to be playful. “I can’t blame you though.” I added. “Not after what you went through recently.”

“Yeah.” Zack sighed. “It’s just nice to at least feel like myself again finally.”

“Well it’s nice to get to know the real you and not the douche bag asshole I first met.” This earned a bigger laugh from him this time around.

“I have my moments.”

“We all do.”

Zack’s eyes shifted at something behind me and then he sort of got a funny look on his face. “Um, so since we’re sort of being watched like a hawk, would you like to go take a walk on the beach?” He sounded slightly nervous and I could also tell he was slightly agitated.

I figured Colleen was probably the one watching us obviously and since Zack was facing her he had noticed.

“That sounds like a great idea.” I said genuinely.

We both stood and made our way toward the door, Zack not even saying goodbye to Colleen. I had a feeling she was high maintenance. While the coffee was great I would avoid the shop if she was working.

We reached Zack’s car again and climbed in. “So I figured we could go down to Newport. Huntington gets old after awhile. For me anyway.”

I nodded my head in agreement and set my coffee down in the cup holder. “It does when you live there day after day. I can only take so many blonde, rude surfer guys before one gets extremely annoyed.”

My statement seemed to amuse Zack because he glanced sideways at me several times before figuring out something to say. “So blonde surfer guys aren’t your cup of tea?” He probed.

“Not really.” I replied simply as I picked up my coffee once more.

“Then what kind of guys are your cup of tea?” My mouth hovered over my straw momentarily before I sucked up some of the liquid and swallowed.

“You’re not privy to that sort of information. Sorry.” I teased knowing he was probing for information about whether or not I found him to be attractive.

“Oh come on.” He tried further. However, there was no real logic behind that statement that would lead me to tell him. He had to be more convincing then that. That was more of a complaint.

“No can do sorry.”

With that he leaned back in his seat and pouted until we arrived at the beach.

***

“Tall dark and handsome?”

“Nope.”

“Rules out Matt and Brian.”

“Matt doesn’t have dark hair.”

“He could if he dyed it.”

“Somehow I don’t ever see Matt dying his hair.”

“No me neither. Short dark and handsome?”

I laughed as I shoved my hands in my pockets but didn’t really give him an answer.

“I guess that would classify me right?” He asked further. “Zack, stop. I don’t really have a particular type of guy I go for, alright? It varies and it’s not always looks that attracts me to them.”

“You mean I probed for answers for half an hour only for you to say you don’t have a type?” He threw his hands up in the air, which made me hunch over and start laughing. “What the fuck?”

By this point I was full on laughing and Zack was not amused. “Oh you’re in trouble now.” He said which instantly made me stop laughing and stand up straight. He wore an evil grin on his face for a moment before he wiggled his eyebrows and lunged toward me.

I let out a shrill scream before I began running down the beach. My feet were flinging sand up behind me as I ran barefoot down the shore. I knew it would only be a second or two before he caught me.

Arms wrapped around my waist and the impact of his body against mine sent us both tumbling to the ground, sand flying up in a small cloud from under us.

Instead of his arms staying around me he removed them once I was pinned down and he started attacking my sides with his fingers. My laughter returned as I struggled under him, trying to gasp for air as my flesh tingled at the sensation of being tickled.

“Stop!” I managed to stress after a minute of intense torture.

“Why should I stop?” He asked with a smirk.

“Because I can’t breathe!” I ended with a squeal as he poked my side.

His hands finally stopped as my chest heaved up and down as I tried to regain the air I had lost while laughing. They rested on my sides as he stared down at me.

There was a hint of something in his eyes that I couldn’t quite place.

His knees were straddling either side of my hips and it was sort of awkward for a moment. This was a position you would usually be in with a loved one, not someone who up until this day you couldn’t stand.

The realization of the situation seemed to hit Zack at the same moment it hit me before he blinked several times before hurriedly climbed off of me. He cleared his throat and held out a hand to help me up.

“I, uh, sorry.” He stumbled over his words as I grabbed onto his hand.

“It’s ok.” I whispered as we brushed sand off of ourselves. “I should probably start heading back home.” I again said quietly.

“Yeah.” He replied as he shoved his hands into his pocket. “I need to get home to the pups.”

It was sort of clear we were both just making up excuses. Neither one of us quite knew how to take the situation that had just transpired. Zack surely wasn’t ready to be in another relationship after his recent breakup. And there was no way I was attracted to him like that, right? I didn’t want to be a rebound, that was for sure.

While those thoughts scared me, the thing that scared me the most was that I had even thought about the idea of dating him. That was definitely not a good sign and it was enough to concern me.

Unfortunately that thought would continue to be on my brain for the upcoming weeks when everything around me would slowly start to change.