Just One Cup

There was never a slow moment in Tim Horton's the next day and the days to follow. I was constantly running around making sure everything was getting done. The people of Pittsburgh really loved their Tim Horton's. And thankfully they were very nice. Everyone smiled and thank God for blessing them with one of Canada's popular coffee shops. I thought that was a little outrageous but as long as I had customers things were great.

Around noon, I was sitting with Madison at one of the front tables in the dining area with a sandwich and chocolate milk. The bell above the door signaled another customer, "I'll be right with you." I yelled over my shoulder. "Sit tight." I told the young girl and went behind the counter.

"What can I get for you?" When I looked up from the register, I was greeted by the same pair of hazel eyes from the other day. "One cup of coffee, please."

"Taking it light today?" He smiled. God, that smile.

"Yeah I need to start taking it easy." I rung him up and started on his coffee. From the corner of my eye, I could see him watching me. I felt a blush creep up my neck at the thought.

"One coffee." I said handing the cup to him.

"My name's Sidney." He blurted out as if he was too shy to say it minutes before.

"Danni."

"It's nice to meet you." I smiled.

"It's nice to meet you too."

"Then I guess...I'll see you around." Sidney said.

"I'll be here." I gestured to the store . His smile grew and he gave me a quick wave before he walked out of the store.

"You just talked to Sidney Crosby." I practically jumped when I heard Ashely speak from behind me, "I can't believe you just talked to Sidney Crosby."

"He was just introducing himself." I shrugged.

"Which means he'll be back."

"Sure Ashely, then maybe you can talk to him." The teenager let out a dreamy sigh. But I couldn't blame her, he sure was one fine piece of man.

---

"Sid, you've gone in there the past week. Ask her out." Max said after a practice.

The entire Pittsburgh team knew that I went straight to Tim Horton's after practice to see Danni. And every time I went, I attempted small talk with her.

"What am I suppose to say?" I asked Max.

"Ask her to coffee." Marc-Andre Fleury suggested. The guys laughed and I just shook my head.

"Funny smart ass. I don't know anything about her."

"That's never stopped you before." Max said.

"Yeah but she's...different. I didn't meet her at some bar or whatever."

"Just get to know her. Just talk to her."

"But she's working. I wouldn't want a bunch of chicks trying to talk to me when I'm working."

"Sidney...there are always chicks trying to talk to you when you're working."

"That's not what I meant Max. She's a professional."

"Talk to her when she's done working." Kris Letang offered.

"Then I look like a creeper."

"I don't know, Kid. You want to get to know her but you won't talk to her. Usually that kind
of relationship doesn't work out." Max had a point.

I was wimping out. I never 'wimp out'. I can take on 200lbs guys ramming me into the boards but I can't go up and talk to some girl? I'm such a pussy.

"If you want my advice, just grow a pair and talk to her. She's not going to kick you out of the store for talking. You're fucking Sidney Crosby...You sponsor Tim Horton's." Max said, his hands on my shoulders, looking me straight in the eyes.

That's it. I'm going to go in there and talk to her. I stood up from my stall and grabbed my bag.

"Go to her. Proclaim your love for her!" Was the last thing I heard before the locker room door closed and I was walking to my car.

---

I was on my lunch break and decided to just sit up front. Maddi ran to the bathroom and I was starting to get worried since she'd been in there for a while.

"Is this seat taken?" someone asked. When I looked up, I saw Sidney, coffee in hand.

"No, go ahead." He smiled and sat down across from me.

"Are you on break?" he asked.

"Yeah." I noticed some relief in his face at my answer.

"I didn't want to get you in trouble with the boss." he joked.

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

"I didn't see you at the opening."

"I just moved here about a week ago."

"Where are you from?"

"Rochester." I answered taking a sip of my hot chocolate. I couldn't help but stare at this guy.

According to Ashely, he was a famous hockey player which defiantly explains the body. There was no spot that wasn't muscle. He seemed rather shy, almost like he never talks to women but that certainly wasn't possible. I'm positive this guy has to fight off the women with his hockey stick.

As soon as I thought that, a tall, blonde woman walked in. Her shirt revealed not only her cleavage but the Pittsburgh Penguins logo with Crosby 87 written on the back. Her mini skirt left none to the imagination and the high heels only added to it. She must have noticed Sidney because she was making goo-goo eyes at him. And from the looks of it, I was the only one at the table that noticed.

"Don't look now, but there is a fan of yours standing behind you." Sidney glanced over his shoulder causing the blonde to show off her pearly bleached teeth in a flashy smile. I had to take a sip from my cup to cover up the smile that was growing on my face. When Sidney looked back at me he couldn't help but crack a grin, his head dropping.

"I'm surprised her eyelashes haven't fallen off yet. She's batting those 100 miles a second." Sidney coughed, trying to hide his laughter. "Is it always like that?" I had to ask.

"Sometimes, but most people respect my privacy."

"I'll give you credit, I don't know if I could stand girls like her trying so hard to get my attention." He laughed.

"I'm sure you get plenty of attention." He said smirking.

I had to look away from him before I fell out of my chair. He must use that same smirk on all the ladies because it works. And I'm sure he knows it. Who couldn't fall for it? I needed to find something else to look at or my eyes will end up in his direction again.

And just on cue, I noticed a head of red hair bobbing from around the counter. Once she saw me she ran over almost taking me out of the chair.

"Maddi what took you so long?" But the young girl wasn't paying attention to me, but to the man sitting across from me, "Madison, this is Sidney." Sidney was just as taken back as Maddi was.

"Sidney, this is my goddaughter Madison." As the word 'goddaughter' left me mouth, he relaxed.

His reaction wasn't surprising to me. Whenever a guy saw me, he'd act interested until Maddi showed up. They would be out the door in a second.

"Hello Madison." Sidney greeted but the young girl didn't respond.

"Sorry, she's just being shy." I said.

"It's not a problem," He turned to the little girl in my arms, "Would you like a part of my muffin?" He offered. I hadn't noticed that he was holding a to-go bag until he set it on the table and pulled out a chocolate chip muffin, "That is, if it's alright with you?" He added.

I shook my head and set Maddi down on her feet. Sidney broke off a piece of his snack and offered it to Madison. She glanced between the muffin and Sidney's gentle face. She slowly took the piece from his large hand and took a bite.

Madison smiled and said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. You know, this muffin is pretty big. Think you could help me eat it?" My felt my mouth drop when I watched Madison climb up onto Sidney's lap and help herself to the muffin.

Ever since the accident, Madison rarely talked to anyone, even me. To see her open up to a stranger like Sidney was...astonishing. The therapist said that it would take a while for Maddi to get over the accident and that I needed to let her do it on her own. What was with this guy?

"Danni?" I looked over at Ashely, "We need some help back here. Gary got a bagel stuck in the toaster...again." I let out a sigh

"Back to work I guess. Come on Maddi." The young girl jumped down from Sidney's lap and took hold of my hand. "Thank you...for the muffin." I said to Sidney.

"Anytime. Do you always have lunch now?" I nodded, "Do you mind if I stop by tomorrow?" I smiled and shook my head, "Great. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay. Come on Maddi, we have a toaster to fix." I had to get out of there before I started jumping up and down with excitement.

It's been a while since a guy really wanted to see me. Since taking Madison in, it had just been the two of us and here was a guy, that probably had a very busy schedule, who wanted to come back tomorrow.

Oh, how I could not wait for tomorrow.