Chapter Five

Edwin doesn't have to work the next two days, but he stops by the Coffee Loft to visit with everyone on Monday after class. They're his second-family, considering how much time he spends there every week.

"How early can you be here on Thursday?" Deanna asks when he sticks his head inside her office to say hello.

"As early as you need me," he says. "Why, what's up?"

"Have you heard about this television show coming into town to film a few episodes?" Deanna leans up in her chair and folds her arms across the edge of her desk.

"As a matter of fact, my mom mentioned it the other day. Tahoe's Got Talent, or something to that effect."

"Yes, that's the one. I've been reading up on it and from what I can gather, it's expected to bring in a slew of people. Of course, it's only temporary, until the contestants are eliminated, but can you imagine what this means for us. How busy we're going to be. I'm not sure if we'll be able to keep up with our little crew."

"I can take another shift if that'll help," Edwin offers.

As long as it doesn't interfere with his lunch date on Friday.

After two more nights of chatting with Charlotte into the wee hours of the morning, he finally found the courage to ask her to have lunch with him on Friday. She was hesitant to accept at first, until he mentioned it was his treat. Even if she'd wanted to pay for her own meal, he wasn't having it.

"I may take you up on that until I can hire one or two more people. I'll find out more at the Chamber meeting tomorrow afternoon. If anyone inquires about us hiring, definitely send them my way. I prefer to be ahead of the game, than have it sneak up on us."

"I sure will."

It doesn't even dawn on him about Charlotte until he's on his way home. She'd be perfect! Why didn't he think of her earlier? Instead of waiting until he gets home to tell her about it, he pulls off the main road and sends her a text.

The next afternoon, Charlotte stops by to talk with Deanna. Unfortunately, she hasn't returned from her meeting with the Chamber, but Charlotte doesn't mind waiting around. The other baristas take an instant liking to her, sharing fun stories about Edwin and all the cool stuff they do around the coffee shop.

"He keeps us all on our toes, that's for sure," Niecy tells Charlotte. "If you haven't heard him sing yet, you're in for a real treat."

"I just love his sideburns, too," one of the other baristas adds.

Edwin doesn't easily get embarrassed, but today his co-workers are really laying it on thick. It's as though they know how smitten he is with her.

Finally, Deanna walks thru the back door, her arms loaded with all kinds of paperwork.

"Was it that bad?" Edwin asks, seeing the frazzled look on her face.

"You have no idea. Let's just say, things are about to get a little crazy around here." Deanna grabs a bottled water from the cooler underneath the counter and takes several long swallows.

"If it'll make you feel any better, someone's here to talk to you about a job."

"Oh, yeah?" Immediate relief washes over Deanna's face. "Can they start tonight?" she asks jokingly.

"Maybe." Edwin looks over at Charlotte and motions for her to join their conversation.

"I've seen you in here before," Deanna says, extending her hand as soon as Charlotte is within a few feet.

"It's nice to meet you. Edwin says you may be looking to hire someone. I know you're just getting back from a meeting, so if you'd rather I come back another time—"

Deanna cuts her off before she has a chance to finish. "Come on back to my office."

Both emerge from the back a half hour later—Deanna looking more relaxed than she was earlier and Charlotte holding a plastic bag containing two aprons.

"Well?" Edwin asks, looking from Deanna to Charlotte then back to Deanna again.

Rushing over to give him a hug, Charlotte squeals, "I got it. I got the job!"

"When do you start?"

"Right now!"

He doesn't know who's more excited—him or Charlotte.

He waits for her to put her things away in the back and when she returns, he doesn't waste any time showing her the ropes. Charlotte is a fast learner, and before the night is up, she's already comfortable making the basic beverages.

Of course, the little "cheat sheets" that print on each ticket that specify how many pumps to use of each flavor is a huge plus, but she's doing so well working alongside him.

"Did you want to go ahead and go now or wait until I'm done with the close-up?" he asks, looking up at the clock on the wall.

"If it's okay with you, I'd like to stay."

Edwin locks the door then stops by the jukebox to put on a couple of songs. While the other baristas are used to him singing while he's taking care of the end of day duties, he hopes Charlotte doesn't mind. Some of his best performances happen when the "CLOSED" sign is hanging in the front window.

He grabs the mop from the hook next to the sink, fills the bucket with soapy water, and pushes it out front.

"…well, it's one pump for the grande, two for the venti; three to get lofty, now go, Char, go…"

With his favorite pair of navy blue Vans on, Edwin slides across the floor, the mop handle clenched tightly in his left hand. He quickly flips it over to the right hand and pulls it close to his mouth.

"…well, you can knock me down, steal my mug…"

Charlotte sets the sleeve of cups down on the counter and brings both hands up to her mouth.

When the songs ends, Edwin-style, he finishes by coming up on the balls of his feet. He holds the position for a few seconds, then takes a bow. He doesn't know if his heart is beating rapidly from his swift movements across the floor or if it's from the look on Charlotte's face right now. She's practically beaming!

"Oh, Edwin, you're too much! But I love it!"