The Regular

Chapter 1

Another day, another 6am start at Jimmy’s. I started working at this coffee shop at the start of my bachelor’s degree 4 years ago and am starting my first shift back after summer today. I decided to continue working here while I do my master’s in English; I get along well with my coworkers and the pay is pretty good for a coffee shop. Plus, it’s one of the busiest cafés in town, so I get to do a fair share of people watching in my day. I find that the colourful array of people I see helps keep me engaged.
Today was no exception: an eccentric old lady with pink hair who asked my lesbian coworker what gender she was, a horde of schoolgirls excitedly rushing in to try our new vanilla-hazelnut-crepe flavoured matcha (it tastes like garbage) and a doped-out crackhead who came in with his dog, both defecating before leaving. I’m lucky that cleaning the floors isn’t a part of my responsibilities.
Shamefully, my favourite customers are the handsome men I see. We get all sorts in here. Handsome models ordering nothing more than a black americano, artsy types ordering a noxious concoction of different flavours and, my personal favourite, the paunchy dilfs coming in to get their fill on cake. Today, however, a particularly gorgeous specimen caught my eye.
He came in at 8.30am, half an hour after we opened, and was clad in business wear that hugged the curves of his muscular body: his ass, thighs, pecs and biceps bulging out of his tight suit. He walked over to the counter with his suit jacket casually slung over his shoulder, allowing me to examine the way he filled out his shirt. He smiled at me as he approached, and I fawned as I studied his handsome face: huge brown eyes, a large nose, big lips, stubbly beard and straight brown hair that fell in a fringe just above his eyebrows. God, he was cute.
I greeted him more friendly than I would most customers, thought not too friendly that my coworkers might overhear and jibe me for it later, and served him his drink. Our owner likes us to periodically give out free stuff to our customers at our own discretion, says it helps build a customer base, so I used my privilege to try and charm this fine specimen of a man. He initially ordered a latte, but I offered him a couple of free pumps of vanilla syrup and a cookie. He accepts.
I asked him what his name was, he says Mark, and wrote it on his cup before making his drink. I handed it to him, along with his free cookie, and gave him the friendliest service I could before he smiled and left with his treats, adding on a “See you again soon!” in hopes he comes back. I do this with all the hot guys I see on my shift in order to try and make a regular out of them. Here’s hoping he comes back tomorrow.
Mark didn’t come back the next day, but I saw him the day after. He greeted me in a friendly manner, recalling the cookie and latte I gave him the other day, remarking how delicious they were. Pleased, I acknowledge him and say “Mark, right?” to which he gives me a smile and nods. He ordered another latte today, and I offer him to upgrade it to a large as well as let him try a different syrup for free. I also give him two cookies, one the same from the other day and another different flavour, which he gratefully accepts. “Man, keeping give me service like this, and I might just be in here everyday. This free stuff is the best!” he said when I handed him his food and drink. I smiled, and encouraged him to come back any weekday (I don’t work weekends) and make sure he calls out for me when he comes in. He asked my name, and I tell him to read my namebadge. “Gotcha. I’ll make sure I always ask for Sam” he said, before giving me a wave and a smile as he walked towards the door.