How I Met the Devil

Part 2: Satan smells good.

I saw him again today.

From across the way, a whole room between us but we still locked eyes. As soon as we did I averted my gaze. My cheeks flushing with being caught glancing his way.

Oh god.

Was it in my head, or did he look at me with a hint of curiosity. A sparkle in his eye?

I tried to hide my stare behind my computer screen, but I couldn't help spying on him as he ordered his coffee. His lips moving with words I could not hear. The sharpness of his features moving as he talked and smiled at the cashier. His strong neck leading down to sturdy broad shoulders.

Then another glance my way.

I wanted to die.

I tell myself to get it together and clear my throat for no reason. Just focus on your work. Ignore him and he will go away, and you'll never have to see his beautiful face again.

But I can see him moving in my peripheral vision. Toward me. Oh god no. He moves to my left to an empty table slightly in front of me. He sets his coffee down and puts his leather bag on the seat closest to the wall.

Great. He is directly in my line of sight. Just focus, Melanie. You have to get this report done. You have been procrastinating long enough.

I huff a little. Okay, no men. Just focus brain.

I put on a good play list and get to work.

This report has been the absolute bane of my existence since the start of this study. I've submitted it to the board three times already too. "Not concise enough, do more research, come back when the evidence suggests..."

Blah, blah, blah. Three years later we are here. I am feeling good about it this time, though. The evidence is solid, our team has done a fabulous job taking away some unnecessary variables. It should work this time.

Should.

Shut up brain, we need positivity right now.

I start getting into a good rhythm of editing and writing. In the zone, as some would call it, when my computer does something weird.

The monitor flickers.

Oh no.

I frantically move the mouse to the top left corner.

Another flicker.

Fuck.

If I can just hit save. My mouse hovers over the save, and I click it as my screen goes black.

"Fuck!"

I could not help myself. I have spent over three hours at this stupid cafe working on this stupid report for the thing I care about most in life. I will absolutely pull every single strand of hair out of my head if that work is gone.

I drop my head and bring the heels of my hands to both my eyes.

Please almighty creator have some mercy on me, just this once?

"You okay over there?"

God, is that you? I laugh at myself, but my humor quickly fades as I realize who could possibly be asking me that question. My crush, my cafe crush. The beautiful man sitting to the left. The beautiful man I've been looking at for three weeks now. Every Thursday, he comes in at 10 am, orders his coffee, and leaves. And every Thursday, I walk in when the place opens and make sure I stay until I can see him leave.

Pathetic. I know.

But now he's talking to me.

Oh no, what do I do? How about don't be weird and take your hands off your eyes for one. Right, do something normal.

I uncover my eyes, and take an earphone out. I look up at him. He looks genuinely concerned and horrendously gorgeous.

Just textbook pretty.

Like a greek god in disguise with his brown square-ish glasses, and his loose but tight polo. I smile, and then frown. Oh my god, SAY SOMETHING.

"I um, well my computer...and I do research and no...no. No I'm not okay."

Just burst into tears while you're at it you freaking loser.

He smiles.

"Um well, you seem pretty upset. I'm still not sure why, but I know a little bit about computers if you wouldn't mind my help."

Is this real life? I think what really happened is I had a heart attack. My computer decided to crash and my heart just decided to fuck itself. Yah, that's right. I had a heart attack and blacked out. I am probably on the floor right now unconscious, and this is all some weird dream. An alternate universe I have temporarily slipped into. Has to be.

"I, well, sure. Yes, only if you don't mind."

He smiles again.

"Not at all."

And then he's up out of his seat. Moving toward me, to the seat opposite of me. He pulls the chair out and sits down. He smells good. Like really good.

"May I?"

Marry me? Shut up, he means the computer idiot. Stop gawking.

Right, right. I don't say anything and spin the laptop to face him.

He hits a few buttons, picks it up slightly.

"Oh, it's really hot. Probably over-heated."

Sir, I am over-heated. I want to throw up.

"Of course. It's really hot in here, I am so hot right now and I'm not even a computer."

I am also an idiot.

"No, you most definitely are not a computer, but yes you are."

He's laughing at me, but wait did he just call me hot? Wait, I think I am actually going to have a heart attack now. He just called me hot. My cafe crush. Oh my god, but I am actually getting hot.

I can feel the blood rush to my cheeks, and the heat bubble from within me. I probably look like a tomato right now. I touch my palm to my chest and get hit by a heat wave. This is embarrassing. I might quite literally die of embarrassment.

I really need to stop. This man is too old for me anyways. Yes, just find things wrong with him so you can function like a normal human being Melanie.

Right brain, like he's way too old. He probably has a daughter my age, I could probably date his son. These things are all true. He has to be about 20 years older than me, but he did age well. He's in great shape too. But he's probably married.

I involuntarily glance at his left hand. Specifically his left ring finger.

Nothing.

Well, looks like I am running away with him to Mexico. It's a green light, all clear to proceed. You know he's waiting on you to say something?

"Thank you for helping me. Do I just wait until it cools off or..."

"You probably need to have it cleaned. I would take it to a shop and have them clean out your fan and all that. This is a pretty new model of computer, it shouldn't be running this hot and just shutting down on you. I would have them just clear out all the junk while you're there too."

"I only got it a couple of months ago, I have really bad luck with technology. I'll get it checked out, and hopefully what I was working on didn't, you know, vanish. That's what triggered my, um, profanity."

He chuckles.

"What's your name?"

"Melanie, you?"

"Ian."

"Well Ian, thank you for caring about my stupid circumstance."

"Of course. Would you let me take you out to dinner?"

Holy mother of god.

"I, um, sure...how old are you?"

He has a great sense of humor because he bursts out laughing.

"I am 40."

I am 25. 15 years, I was close.

"Does that bother you?" He asks me almost playfully.

"No...I...you look great for your age. I mean you look great in general. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound offensive I'm just..."

"Hey, it's okay. You look great for your age too."

Say something not stupid.

"Great. You look great, I look great. It's all just great. I'm sorry, I know how to talk, usually. I promise I'm not an idiot."

If that's what you have to tell yourself, girl.

"I'm sure we will have a great conversation at dinner. I do have to get going, though. Here..."

He hands me his phone.

"Leave me your number and I'll txt you the details after my meetings."

I take the phone from his hand in a daze. This can not be happening. Oh my god, what's my number. You know your number just think! Right, right. I know my own number. I type it in and and hover over the contact information. I smile internally, and save myself under the stupidest name I could possibly think of and hand him back his phone.

"It was great to meet you Melanie, get that computer checked out for me please. It seriously shouldn't be over heating like that."

I don't know why I said it but it blurted out of my mouth...

"Yes sir."

He smirks.

"It's Ian. I'll txt you."

And just like that he's up and out of his chair, gathering his things, throwing his shades on, and walking toward the door.

"Well lord have mercy."

I spin around to my right. One of the baristas was standing next to me. She was actually way too close to me, and staring down at me in disbelief.

"Um, what?"

I guess I am just a stranger magnet today.

"Girl, do you have any idea who that is?"

"Ian?" Like I've known him for years.

"You really don't know do you. He's been coming in here for the longest time. Ever since I started working here. Every Thursday. Get's the same thing. Just a medium Americano. No sugar no cream. Just straight up. He's really good friends with the owners. Super nice guy loves to support local businesses. Anyways, he owns like the biggest tech company in Austin."

I gulp.

"Did he just ask you out? Oh my god. Look, I know I don't know you, but please I have to get your number. You have to tell me everything. He's a dream boat. I can't believe he's not married."

I don't know this girl, but I like her.

"Yah, let me get my phone. My name is Melanie. What's your name?"

"Zoe."

"It's nice to meet you Zoe, I'm sorry. I usually am more talkative but today is a weird day. Here."

I hand her my phone and she types away.

"Hun, don't worry about it at all. I talk a mile a minute and have enough caffeine running through my veins to power a small army. I can do enough talking for the both of us as long as you come back in here and tell me EVERYTHING. All I do is work, I need the drama."

She hands me my phone back.

"I, yah, I'll let you know how it goes."

"Oh my god, perfect! Next Thursday, right at 7am? I'll be here!"

I have seen this girl for three weeks straight and didn't even know her name. I guess I could use some new friends.

"Well, yah if he takes me out this weekend."

"Oh honey, I bet he will. He's very to the point. A man like that doesn't waste any time. Text me a pic of what you are wearing. You have to look HOT!"

"Okay, yah I guess I should go shopping then."

"Yes, get something you look and feel great in. Oh my god I'd say I'm jealous, but you are gorgeous by the way. I know he's like all rich and handsome and successful, but don't let that scare you! You're a real heart throb."

"Well I wasn't trying to think about how much that man scares me, Zoe, but thank you. I will try not to be too nervous."

"You got it girl, don't worry! Oh shoot...Ms. Stevens is here...such a rude miserable old hag. I have to get back, but text me darlin'!"

"I will..."

But she was already half way back to the register before I could blink. Or get words out of my mouth.

Wow.

I need to go home. This has been a very unusual over stimulating experience.

My phone buzzes.

Hey 'Melanie not a computer' does 7pm work for you this Saturday at Cork?

I am an idiot. I think what I'll do now is go home and stick my finger in an electric socket because I just saved my contact as "Melanie not a computer"on the richest, hottest, most successful bachelor’s phone in all of Austin. According to Zoe.

Sounds great :)

I want this torture to stop. My anxiety is absolutely through the roof. My heart is pounding with caffeine and adrenaline and fear. Maybe excitement? How did this happen?

Perfect, I am looking forward to it :)

He is looking forward to it. I want to scream.

Me too, Ian :)

That's sir to you ;)

I need to get out of here. I quickly pack my things and throw my back pack over my shoulders and make my way out of the cafe.

"Don't forget to text me Melanie!"

"I won't!" I call over my shoulder.

What have I gotten myself into?