Secrets

Chapter 6

George's POV

It was another typical morning. I woke up and logged into my computer so that I could watch Miranda. She was always on a schedule. The coffee shop opened at 7, so she was up, showered and out the door by 6:45 am. She walked to work since it was just a few blocks from the apartment. Occasionally she ran late, and, on those days, I just stood at my door and watched her out the peep hole. The last thing that I wanted to do was stress her out some more. Then I would log on to the coffee shop’s cameras and wait for her to arrive. I had to make sure that she got there safe.

That day I decided that I was going to work from the coffee shop. I didn’t have a lot of work to get finished up and everything could be done on my laptop, so I took the opportunity to watch Miranda some more. She always had my attention. Her long hair was pulled into a pony tail and her blue apron was tied tightly around her waist in a bow in the back. She wore dark blue jeans and a black v neck t-shirt. She had on purple converse and a black zip up jacket. On her t-shirt, she had a name tag with her name. I sat at my usual table, carrying in my newspaper and laptop bag. When I got situated, I looked over at the counter and saw Miranda taking some guy’s order. I turned my attention away and got my laptop all set up to do some work.

After a few moments, I walked over to the counter to order myself a coffee and breakfast sandwich. When I got there, the same guy was standing there talking to Miranda. He was flirting with her! She was blushing and flirting back! WHAT!

I decided to pretend that I was going to look at the menu while I listened to their conversation.

“So Miranda is it?” The guy seriously thought that he was smooth!

“That’s me.” I could see a small smile curling up her lips and her cheeks slightly blushing.

“What’s the most popular thing here, besides you?” He smirked at her. I bet he used that on all the girls he tried to pick up. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. She needed a man, not some immature guy.

“Well, a lot of people get the house blend.” She turned looking at the menu board. I could tell that she was feeling giddy, just like she did when she was talking to me.

“I’ll have a medium one of those.” She nodded and bit her lip as she entered it into the computer.

“Can I please have a name or the order?” She asked shyly. Her cheeks were slowly turning redder by the second.

“Jordan.” He said with a smirk. Once she was done, she wrote something on his drink and handed it to him. They stood there for a minute, just watching each other.

I lost it. I couldn’t just stand there while some creep hit on her like that. I cleared my throat and got her attention. She jumped and the guy dismissed himself, taking a seat at one of the tables.

“Oh! Good morning Mr. Anders. I’m sorry about that. How can I help you today?” She smiled.

“It’s George. I’ll take my usual. Large black coffee and an egg white English muffin.” I smiled at her, trying to hide my jealousy and anger.

“Sorry... George. Right away!” She smiled as she typed my order into the computer, adding her discount for me like normal. “That will be $7.79.”

I swiped my card as she turned around to get my order from the other girl working. When she came back and handed me my order, I thanked her and headed back to my table. I can’t believe she was flirting with another guy! What about me? I glared at the guy from across the room. I grabbed my phone out and texted Miranda. I needed to get her focus back on me.

Noah: Hey. Haven’t heard from you yet today. Everything okay?

I set my phone down and started typing on my computer. I kept glancing up to see what Miranda was doing. It was later in the morning, so the coffee shop wasn’t overly busy. I tried to be patient waiting for her reply, but I couldn’t. I tapped my fingers on the table impatiently. I huffed and checked my phone again. I looked over at the counter and Miranda was no where to be seen. Where did she go?!!?!? Just then my phone buzzed.

Miranda: Hey. Sorry, just been busy today. Had to take a delivery out. Finally had a minute to text you back.

Noah: Why’d the send you for a delivery?

Miranda: Delivery boy called off and the other girl was taking orders. Besides I thought some fresh air would be good. It’s only a few blocks away.

I tried to hide my anger. I was in pubic today, so I couldn’t just get angry for no reason. I took in a deep breath and waited a few minutes before messaging her back. Before I could reply to her message, my phone buzzed.

Miranda: I’m going to be close to the convenience store this afternoon for lunch. Meeting my sister for lunch. Can I stop by? I’d really like to meet you…

I froze. There was no way that I could keep her from going to the convenience store. I felt the panic in my stomach rise and my hands start to shake. I felt like everyone in the coffee shop was watching me. What do I tell her?

Noah: I actually called off today. I have a stomach virus…

Miranda: Oh, I hope you feel better then.

Noah: Thank you beautiful. How’s your day otherwise?

Miranda: Fine, I guess. Yours?

Just then the door for the coffee shop opened and it was Miranda returning from her delivery. She had a sad look on her face. It literally broke my heart to see her distraught. She looked over at me and I tried to give her the most reassuring smile. She smiled back, but I could tell that it was fake. I didn’t have the nerve to text her back just yet. Besides, if Noah was sick, I could just say that he was in the bathroom or something.

I watched Miranda from behind my laptop screen as she headed back behind the counter. She reached for her phone a few times to see if she had any messages. Every time she checked and there was nothing, I could almost feel her heart being crushed. I needed to message her back.

Noah: I’m sorry for not getting back sooner. This stomach bug is killing me.

I watched as Miranda pulled her phone out of her back pocket and her face lit up seeing a message from me. I smiled. I was day dreaming about how things would be if we were together. Just then, my phone buzzed pulling me back to reality. I looked down at my phone to see a message from one of my tenants at the apartment. Damn it! I thought it would have been Miranda. I looked around the coffee shop and she was no where to be seen. My phone buzzed again, and this time it was from Miranda.

Miranda: Heading to lunch with my sister. My shift is over. Boss let me go home early today. Talk later.

That was it. She didn’t say anything else to me. I remember feeling so mad. I needed to make her mine that way I didn’t have to live without her anymore. How could I possibly do that? Then I remembered that Miranda’s 21st birthday was coming up. That would be a perfect time to meet her somewhere and make her see that we were meant to be together. I smiled to myself.