Dove
Everyone was staring. I could feel their eyes on us as The Cowboy chewed on the half of the avocado sandwich I had offered to him. It only felt fair. He paid for it and no matter how much I insisted on refunding him he refused.
He was like a knight in shining armor. When I hurt my ankle and now. The teller was on the verge of humiliating me and her comment was still in my head. 'Do I really look like I don't belong here?'
Yes everyone around us looked like they had their lives together with fancy new shoes and designer B&B clothes. I worked for the company and could barely afford anything of theirs. Yet I wasn't going to strangle myself by pretending like I could. I had bigger dreams than worrying if I had a thousand dollar boots. As long as my Vans could take me from point A to B, I was happy with that.
"Don't take her comment to heart," he took a tip of his latte then smacked his lips together. "This shit sucks."
I couldn't help but laugh, "you don't like cinnamon?"
"I love cinnamon. It was practically my diet for my entire life. Yet I got an aunt who kills this, she should come and train these people," he glared at the teller who gave me attitude and she looked away with a terrified face. He did look mean when he wanted to. "Anyway she's just being rude. I don't look like I belong here either, but here I am."
His western accent was the butter to my hot bread. It was everything and more. I guessed because his voice was so deep it sounded even better.
"I should have made sure I had my wallet," I looked down to the table. "It was careless of me."
He smiled, "well good thing I was there. Otherwise you would have starved. Don't your company got some nice fancy cafeteria?"
"It does," I shrugged, "but I wanted to spoil myself a little."
His eyes became gentle as he nodded. "No harm there." We kept quiet for a little while before he said, "your ankle healed up?"
I nodded, "thank you for helping me the other night. I didn't get your name the other time?"
"Names Buck," he ran his fingers through his hair and looked away from me.
I scrunched my nose. "Bug?"
"Buck," he chuckled. "Like bucking bulls."
"Well that's unique," I tried not to laugh but my smile came through.
"You allowed to laugh," he beamed. "My other brother's name be Boot. Our Pa really obsessed with cowboy anything."
"And your mother didn't protest?"
He shook his head. "Our Ma would do anything Pa wanted. Would follow him to the moon if he asked. At least your name be cute. Little bird."
I groaned, "I was teased enough when I was young. Don't remind me."
"I think it's a beautiful name. Suits you," his eyes scanned me for a second and he nodded as if he needed to make sure to agree with himself. "Definitely suits you."
My stomach fluttered at that comment and I felt dizzy. Was that a compliment or just an observation? Why did it feel like he was flirting with me without really trying? Was he gay? If he was, I'd thank the universe for finally sending a worthy candidate my way.
"Thank you," I blushed and looked out to the beach. "Do you work around here?"
He nodded, "got some dingy ass office somewhere but a man can't complain."
"What do you do?"
His eyes twinkled, "you're a curious little thing aren't you?" I swore I blushed harder. "How old are you?"
"Nineteen," I fiddled with the chain on my neck. "I just moved here from the Dominican."
He snapped his fingers, "makes sense! I've been trying to decode the accent! So Portuguese?"
I shook my head, "Spanish." I let my eyes linger at his face. "You look Latino?"
"Do I?" He smirked. "Must be my charm."
"Are you Latino?"
He shook his head. "Born and bred Texan. Most Spanish I know is tacos and guacamole."
That made me laugh and I saw a few people look at me with pure envy. That was not something I was used to but considering the fact I was sitting in front of the most beautiful man in Miami I understood why.
Just when I started to relax more around him a man came into the cafe dressed in a suit. His eyes scanned the room and once they landed on Buck he walked over. He was serious looking, no nonsense kind of guy and I figured he must have worked with him since Buck didn't look phased.
He leaned down and whispered something in his ear which made Buck nod. "Be there in a moment." The man nodded before he walked out again. I hadn't noticed the expensive watch on his wrist until he looked at it then sighed. "Got to end this lovely lunch date early Little Bird," he finished off his latte. "It was nice seeing you again."
"Thank you again," I smiled suddenly, feeling shy. "Could I have your number?" The words came out of my mouth before I could think of taking them back. I had to be brave. Zahi always drilled that into my head.
He shook his head causing his raven hair with the slightest hints of blonde to move with him. "I'm too old for you ol'son." He stood up then stretched. "You're jail bait for me and I don't think you'd be able to handle a stallion like me."
I pouted. "I could surprise you."
His grin grew wider. "Let's agree to this. If we meet again I'll give you my number. Is that a deal?" He held out his hand for me to shake.
I nodded and placed my hand in his. Instant electricity sparked through me and for a second I thought he felt it too as his eyes darkened. "Deal."
He gave me one last wink as he let go of my hand. He threw his cup in the bin before going to the teller. There was a short exchange before he left the cafe without looking back.
I sat there staring into space until a waiter came over with another smoothie and a bigger meal for me. "He apologized for eating most of your sandwich," she blushed and gently placed them down in front of me.
'So this is love?'