Page 1 of Love Me Tender, Love Me Brew
Chapter
One
Seventeen years later
Edwin Wesley slides up to the counter, a heartfelt smile displayed across his face. “Howdy, folks. What can I make for you today?”
Tapping his foot against the mat on the floor, he begins to sing along to the music playing on the jukebox. Although it’s not a traditional jukebox where you deposit coins through the little slot then select the song you want to play, the modern version is pretty nifty too. If it were up to him, he’d have it playing the “Best of Elvis Presley” station all the time.
“…I’m all brewed up. Hmmm, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah…”he sings, adding his own twist to the popular lyrics.
The cute brunette on the left cranes her neck to get a better view of the menu overhead. “There’s so many choices,” she says to her friend. “They all sound so good.”
“I know, right? I don’t know if I want to go with something hot or cold.” Both girls giggle as they discuss various flavors and blends.
Noticing their struggle, Edwin quickly offers a few suggestions. “Peppermint mocha is always a popular flavor, especially since we’re shifting into fall. And so is salted caramel.”
“Ohh, peppermint mocha sounds delish,” the brunette folds her arms across her chest, covering the front of her Tahoe Community College sweatshirt.
“Are you going to school there?” Edwin points at her shirt then presses the palm of his hands against the counter while he rocks back onto his heels. Having never met a stranger, he’s always looking for ways to make casual conversation.
It’s one of the reasons the customers love him so much. Well, that, and the fact that he genuinely enjoys making people smile.
“I am. Reba and I are rooming together,” she says, her gaze drifting from the menu overhead to directly making eye contact with him. “We just got everything moved in and thought we’d stop by for a coffee. I don’t know if you know it or not, but this place is highly recommended by everyone on campus. What about you? Are you a student, too?”
Edwin wrinkles his forehead as he tries to come up with a not-so-confusing-way to explain his situation. “Kinda, sorta.”
“Oh?”
“I’m a music major, so I’ve ‘technically’ taken all of the classes I’m allowed that I will get credit for. I’m planning to attend UNLV next year—they have an excellent music program—but I’d like to raise my GPA to better my chances of getting a scholarship. So, I’m retaking a couple of core classes.” He doesn’t mention that his parents have offered more than a few times to assist him financially. With them being older and so close to retirement, it’s the last thing he wants either of them to be burdened with.
“That makes sense. I’d probably do the same.” She pushes her sleeves up, revealing a homemade friendship bracelet, the ends slightly frayed.
A smile lights up on Edwin’s face seeing the lettered C-H-A-R-L-O-T-T-E beads meticulously placed between the reds and blues and yellows. “Charlotte, eh?”
Brushing her hand along the top of the bracelet, she nods. “Yeah, it’s cute, isn’t it? I babysat over the summer for a set of twins and one of them made it for me. She insisted it had to have my name on it.”
“That is so cool,” he says excitedly, extending his bare arm out in front of him. “I may be a tad jealous now.”
“Have you decided what you want?” Reba nudges Charlotte on the elbow, interrupting their conversation.
“Huh? Oh, I guess we do need to figure out what we’re getting.” Looking up at the menu again, she places her finger underneath her chin while she scans the selection.
“I’m going to have an iced peppermint mocha. Can you also add an extra squirt of peppermint?” Reba asks. “I like mine to have a tad more mint flavor than chocolate.”
“You got it.” Edwin punches in the order on the iPad in front of him and waits for the sticker to print so he can attach it to the outside of the cup. “And for you?”
“Go ahead and give me the same.” Charlotte takes a step back from the counter then turns to look around the shop.
“Just to confirm, you want the extra peppermint as well?” Edwin stands poised, ready to hit the total button.
She quickly looks back at him and nods. “Mmm, hmm.”
“Give me a few minutes and I’ll have them ready for you.”
“Can I go ahead and insert my card?” Reba asks just as Edwin is getting ready to step away from the counter.
He stops, the two plastic cups balanced in the palm of his hand. “These are on the house tonight, ladies.”
