Page 16 of Loving Violet
I laugh at her comment. Miriam is very cool, and she always comes with a big smile on her face.
“Now, what can I get you, Miriam and John?” I ask, emphasizing both of their names.
“I’m in a hurry. School starts soon, and I was late today getting the kids ready. I need my morning fix,” Miriam replies with a hint of urgency in her voice.
“No problem. What would you like today?” I respond quickly.
“I’ll have my usual, a large cappuccino with an extra shot, and John will have a black coffee,” she says, glancing at John, who nods in agreement.
“Got it. Coming right up,” I say, moving efficiently to prepare their order.
As I work, I can’t help but feel a growing sense of community. I’m starting to recognize the regulars and learn a bit about their lives. It makes the job feel more personal and rewarding. I hand Miriam and John their coffees with a smile.
“Here you go. Have a great day!” I say cheerfully.
“Thanks, Violet. You too,” Miriam says.
“Miriam, don’t forget the name tags!” I say with a big smile.
“I won’t,” Miriam says, giving me a warm smile before rushing out the door with John in tow.
Josy gives me a thumbs up as I handle the coffee machine with confidence while staying on top of taking orders. She is happy with the progress I've made. My list of successful duties keeps growing: cleaning, working the register, chatting with customers, using the fancy coffee machine, and no burnt pastries. I finally feel I am getting the hang of this! Even Edna is pleased with me and the little help I can provide. Today, I'll start working on Josy’s Sweet Shop social media.
When the morning rush is over, I go over to Josy and greet her with a smile.
“What’s up?” I say when the rush is over.
“Nothing. Ready to start creating social media content?” Josy replies cheerfully.
“Absolutely. I’m excited to start working on that,” I tell her.
Josy nods approvingly. “I’m glad to hear that. I’ve been meaning to give our online presence a boost. I know you’ll do a great job.”
Edna peeks out from the kitchen, giving me a nod of approval. “You’re doing well, kid. Keep it up,” she says gruffly, but I can see the warmth in her eyes.
“Thanks, Edna,” I reply, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
I pull out my laptop and go and sit on one of the comfy couches. Josy sits beside me, and we discuss our social media strategy. We brainstorm ideas for posts, promotions, and engagement with our customers.
“We should showcase our best-selling pastries and highlight any special events or seasonal items,” Josy suggests.
“Definitely. And maybe we can start a weekly feature where we introduce one of our staff members or share a fun fact about the shop,” I add, jotting down notes.
Josy smiles. “I love it. Let’s get started.”
I spend the next few hours creating content, taking photos of the delicious pastries and beautifully crafted coffee drinks. I draft posts that capture the cozy, welcoming atmosphere of the shop and highlight our unique offerings.
As I work, my attention drifts to the door as Austin walks in. He catches my eye and gives me a friendly wave, his smile warm and familiar.
Austin is one of our regulars, though he usually comes in much earlier. The rough five-o’clock shadow is a clear sign that he’s running late today. Normally, he’s clean-shaven, always sharp and polished. But today, the scruff gives him an edgier look, and I can’t help but admit that I like it.
Every time he steps through the door, there's an unmistakable pull, a magnetic force. As he approaches the counter, I catch a whiff of his cologne, and I close my eyes for a brief second, letting the earthy scent wash over me. It’s deep, warm like a mix of wood and spice, something rich and grounding. The scent lingers in the air, and all I want to do is lean in closer, breathe him in, and savor the feeling of being near him.
Stop it, Violet, don’t check out the customers.Also, he is WAY out of your league. Dream on, sister.
“Morning, Violet,” he says as he approaches the counter. I close my laptop and walk toward the counter to take his order since Josy is in the back working on paperwork.
“Morning, Austin. The usual?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
