Owl's Well

Julie O'Malley returned the barista's smile and headed toward the corner that held her favorite overstuffed chair. Owl's Well coffeehouse was busy as usual, packed with people and mismatched, comfortable old furniture. The quirky neighborhood haven embraced everyone from college students to senior citizens with its warm and friendly atmosphere, and it had become Julie's favorite place to relax - even though she never drank coffee.

The walls were decorated with a multitude of owl-based art; sculpted and painted and even sketched on napkins. She especially loved this particular corner, with its mural of a moonlit forest, a barn owl tucked into the foliage inconspicuously. Sometimes it was so hard to find, she was convinced that the artist snuck in at night to move it. Julie loved it.

If only David felt the same. He thought it was too casual, not professional enough. He thought she should like the much more trendy teahouse across town better.

Julie glanced at her watch once more - very casually, so it wouldn't notice she was checking yet again - before her eyes darted toward the door. With a sigh, she carefully set down her tea. He was late. Again. For a moment she contemplated leaving, with the intent to make a scene later on… 'how could you leave me sitting there for an hour again, I felt like an idiot' … but she knew that would never happen. Somehow, he would end up making her feel like it was her fault that he didn't show up, and yes, she would actually find herself apologizing. Whether she believed it was her fault or not, it seemed she was always the one saying 'sorry'.

Settling back into the old chair, Julie shook her head and stared into the deep forest in front of her, automatically searching. Were there any good guys left out there? Could it be her? She wasn't looking for rich and famous, she wasn't asking for the world, just – where the heck is that owl?

Taking a deep breath, she picked up her mug. Looking into the Earl Gray as if for guidance, she frowned, noticing dark crumbles that meant the teabag was leaking. It was the last straw. Her voice sounded harsh as she stared dismally into the cup. "Great. Of course."

"Beg pardon?"

She looked up, startled, into the sea gray eyes of a tall blond man who was standing at a high-backed chair nearby. Her statement was honest, although she nearly bit her tongue at how automatically the words came out. "I'm sorry?"

He stared for a moment before breaking into an easy smile, the barest country drawl warming his voice as he looked away. "Now I think we're going in circles. I heard you say something; I thought you were talking to me. Clearly I was mistaken." His eyes came back to her for a moment longer, suggesting he was sorry this was so.

"Oh. Yes. I was talking to my tea."

He blinked, glanced down at the broad mug she held and nodded, straight faced. "Let me know if it answers." Then, pointing at the swirling leaves, he added as he sat down, "That's good luck, you know."

Her eyes widened as she stared at him, trying to decide if he was kidding or not. "Sure it is." His smile broke first, but hers was bigger. "Have we met?"

His head tilted to the side as he considered. "I work at the University – at the moment. Are you taking any classes?"

She frowned thoughtfully. "Not since I graduated, but I work there, too. In student records." Her eyebrows peaked as she studied his face, and found she was enjoying the view. There was something very comfortable about him – the easygoing smile, the casual air - abruptly it hit her. "Wait. You eat at the Thai restaurant on campus, don’t you? You're the one who's always teasing the girl at the cash register."

He sipped his mug with a sheepish grin. "Guilty as charged - but in my defense, she's in my 17th Century Theatre Honors class. I promise, I only harass the good students." He extended his hand. "I'm Brandon Richards."

She took his hand and smiled. "Julie."

Brandon held her gaze for a moment, looking into her eyes as he motioned vaguely around their corner. "Are you waiting for someone?"

"Oh, yes, always." Her laugh was a little forced. "He's usually late, if he shows up at all."

He gave her a serious look. "He's an idiot, then." His eyes edged closer to blue as he broke into a smile once more, and she found herself blushing slightly.

"Well, thank you. He's just really busy, you know? And…" She stopped, shook her head. Why am I always defending him? "Anyway. Maybe I got the time wrong."

He pulled out a laptop and nodded. "It happens."

Oddly nervous, she lifted her mug and looked into it before drinking. "Well. At least the tea settled down."

He chuckled as he began to type. "I'm telling you, it's good luck."

Julie managed to look seriously at him. "Really. How do you figure, other than making a rather depressing snow globe?"

Lifting his cappuccino, he toasted in her direction with a wry grin. "You can read the future in those."

"Oh, really?"

"Yep." He glanced at his screen and frowned. "Oh, no. It's Thursday, isn't it?"

"Um…yes?" She gave him a bemused look. He was certainly different than anyone she'd been interested in before… and then caught herself. Interested? She was still involved with David… whether David really thought so or not. Besides, just because this guy was charming, funny, and intelligent, it didn't mean he was interested –

Brandon stood, quickly packing up his computer. "I forgot, I have a student coming to my office ten minutes from now. "

Julie held back the disappointment as he gulped the last of his cappuccino. "Maybe next time you should tell him to meet you here."

"Good idea. Really good idea." He stopped rushing and looked at her. "Hey, listen. If you're still waiting for someone next Tuesday at this time, I'll buy the tea." Glancing pointedly at her mug, he grinned. "And I'll make sure they check the bag for leaks."

Julie tried not to feel hopeful as she looked up at him. "Well. I'll keep that in mind."

His eyes sparkled nicely. "I hope you do."

"It was good to meet you." When she extended her hand he took it, and without a moment's hesitation bowed to brush a theatrically gallant kiss over her knuckles.

"Until next week." Then he turned, and the mural caught his eye. "Hey," he said, pointing. "Nice barn owl." With a last grin, he was gone.

Julie stared after him, strange feelings pooling in her stomach. Without much more thought, she stood up. Somehow, she felt like a different person, registering the fact that David was now more than an hour late with no more than a subtle smile. She picked up her bag, straightened her back, and walked out of the shop.

Maybe her future could be different. At least next Tuesday.