by V. Vaughn
Recalling today’s conversation at the park makes me think he bought me a ring, and the feeling I had earlier about us rushing things has faded. “Uh-huh. Do I get a hint?”
He places his forehead against mine. “It’s something that will change your life for the better.”
My heart flutters as I say, “I like the sound of that.” And I do, because if he asked me again now I’d say yes.
“Good. Because today I realized I’m in love with you, Morgan.” The warmth of his love fills me, and Oliver kisses me before I have to say anything. “All I want is to make you happy.”
I may not be in love with my alien yet, but I’m well on my way and I say, “You already do.”
Chapter 8
Dinner at Hannah and Jake’s was just what I needed. Oliver and I had a wonderful evening of laughter and good food. I was able to avoid my worries about the coffee shop, and as we walked home I realized that what’s most important is friends and family. My business may die, and while I’ll certainly do everything in my power to keep it from happening, sometimes things are out of your control. No matter what’s in store for me, I’ll have the love and support of those I’m close to, and I’ll be okay.
Since we got home late last night I decided to sleep in this morning. I often like to be the first one in my shop, but Debbie has a key and it’s not unusual for her to open without me. My muscles protest when I stretch my arms over my head and walk to the kitchen. The stress of the last few days is taking its toll on my body, and I wonder if Oliver’s energy powder can help. It certainly can’t hurt, and I look forward to the way it makes me feel. When I get to the kitchen I notice Oliver isn’t there, and I suspect he’s out for a run.
The blender thuds on the counter when I pull it down from a cabinet, and I gather the ingredients for a smoothie. When I find the zip lock bag Oliver keeps his powder in, I see a sticky note attached. It reads, ‘A quarter cup is all you need. Love, Oliver.’ I smile as I think about how he told me he had a secret last night, and I imagine what my engagement ring might look like. My heart soars as I picture a white farmhouse in the country with a red barn near it. I see two children running in the field and giggling as Oliver stands by my side with his arm around my shoulders. I chuckle at myself for daydreaming while I crash back to earth to finish making my breakfast.
I take my shake with me as I walk over to stare out the window at the street below. I’m only a couple of floors up, and I have a good view of people bustling toward their destinations. Heads are down, and I suspect quite a few of them are tired and unhappy with something in their life, and it makes me think about how Oliver said his energy powder fast-tracks nutrients to your body. I sip on my creamy drink and recall how the little aches and pains I had yesterday morning disappeared within minutes of drinking the shake Oliver made me, and my daily stress headache never came. I imagine how the people rushing to work might look if they felt as great as I do with Oliver’s magic elixir in my body. They might have smiles, greet each other warmly, and lift their faces to the sun, because I felt so amazing I didn’t even drink all the coffee I usually need to get through my day.
Oh my god! That’s it! Who needs coffee when you can drink something even better? Something that nourishes your body and lets it work at full potential. I take a big gulp to finish off my smoothie as my excitement grows. I know how I’m going to reinvent myself.
I grab my laptop and begin research on energy drinks and supplements, and I peruse the kinds of shops that sell them. My challenge will be to integrate the new health-conscious products with coffee and baked goods, because I don’t want lose my current customer base as I court a new one. When I read an article on the dangers of sugar, I recall Oliver’s comments about cigarettes. I don’t think sugar is as harmful, but I do believe offering healthier choices enables moderation.
When my stomach growls, I realize I was so intent on gathering information and creating a transition plan that I didn’t notice the time. It’s almost noon, and still no Oliver. I double check my phone for a message as I wonder where he could be. I text him. Hey. Where are you? I have an exciting idea I’d like to share.
As I walk to the bathroom for a shower my cell dings with his reply. I’m on my way to the coffee shop with something exciting of my own.
My insides tingle with my joy because I think he’s waiting there for me with a ring. I can barely contain my emotions, and as hot water rushes from the shower to rain down on me I belt out an off-key version of Bruno Mars’ Marry Me loud enough for it to echo off the tile walls. Shampoo squirts from the bottle as I squeeze, and I’m sure if any of my neighbors are home they can hear me, but I don’t care. I want to shout out to the world how happy I am. Everything I’ve ever wanted is falling into place. I’m going to marry an amazing man, my business is about to take off, and I’ll be able to settle down in a farmhouse in the country soon to start my family.
My excitement practically oozes out of my pores as I walk to work. I surprise the aliens and people I pass when I smile and say hello, and the chuckles I hear might be about the skip I have in my step. All without coffee in my system too. When my phone dings I notice a text from Oliver. Hurry up and get here! We’re all waiting.
We? I don’t bother to reply because I’m around the corner from the shop, so I quicken my step. When I turn onto the block where my shop is located, I notice a news van, and Ian’s wife is on the sidewalk talking to a camera in front of my door. Oh no. My heart stops. Did we have another incident or is this bad press over what happened yesterday? I frown when I remember Ian was going to see if Cathy would do a special interest piece on our drink contest, but surely I’d have known about her coming.
When I get closer, Cathy finishes speaking and the camera shuts off. She gives me her attention. “Morgan. This is so exciting and such a fascinating solution. Viewers are going to love it.”
I frown as I wonder why Debbie didn’t call me to say Cathy was coming this morning to do a piece on our drink contest. And then it hits me that it could be because of Oliver. Did he take over for me? Anger builds in me and I force my voice to remain calm as I say, “Thanks. Can you excuse me? I need to speak to Debbie.”
“Sure. We’ll set up inside while you do.”
I yank on the door hard as I enter my shop, and Debbie notices me first as I see she’s with Oliver and Ian. “Morgan! Oliver is amazing,” says Debbie. She approaches me with a clear insulated coffee mug in her hand. “This is life changing.” She hands the empty cup to me.
“What?” I glance over at Oliver to see he’s grinning, and then I look at the mug in my hand. “I don’t—”
He says, “Let me show you how it works,” and takes the mug from my hand.
I’m in no mood to check out a new travel container no matter how great it might be, and I wonder if he’s trying to divert me. “Someone please tell me why I wasn’t told about Cathy coming today.”
Debbie says, “We thought you’d be here by now, and Oliver wanted to tell you the news in person.”
“What news?”
“He’s going to show you.”
I scowl at her as Oliver goes over to the coffee urns. Hot liquid squirts from the decaf container into the cup as he pushes the lever. The mug immediately begins to glow. Holding it up to me Oliver says, “See how this is like a beacon shining? You wouldn’t miss it, right?”
“Yeah. But—”
He holds up a finger. “Watch what happens now.” He puts the mug under a canister of regular coffee, and as soon as some hits the decaf, the glow disappears. “With these mugs there is no way an Eroscian can accidentally or purposely get caffeine. So as long as aliens are only allowed to drink from our special cups, everyone is safe.”
I cross my arms as I fight to keep my temper from flaring. “This is your big secret?”
“Yes.” Oliver glances at Ian. “A few years ago Ian and I noticed the curious glowing side effect to one of our nutrient indicators. The genetic makeup of the Eroscian plant that could
dim it is similar to coffee. With a few tweaks, we figured out how to use the technology.”
“And you kept it from me?” So that’s where he was yesterday and this morning, I suppose. And then he—took over. “I—I.” I let out a noise of frustration as I struggle to keep from screaming at him in a public place. “How could you?” I wave my arm around the room as my blood boils. “You brought it here and showed my staff how it works. You got the news to come do a story, but it didn’t occur to you that I might want a say in this?”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
I squint my eyes at him and his lame excuse. “Oh you did all right. But I should have seen this coming.” I wish I could shoot laser beams at him from my fingers. “You’ve been invading my life and my business since the day you arrived, and I was too infatuated to put a stop to it. But I’m not anymore.” I point toward the door. “Get out! Go back to the planet you came from and ruin someone else’s life.”
“Morgan,” pleads Oliver as if I’m crazy. “Calm down.”
His condescending tone makes me snap, and I grab the mug of coffee out of his hand. “Calm down?” I throw the cup as hard as I can against the wall, and it hits with a loud crack as hot liquid splatters on the surrounding surfaces. My chest heaves with my breathing as I lower my voice and spit out, “Go. Now. Before I do something we’ll both regret.”
Oliver’s expression turns hard and he leaves without a word. And when the door shuts a sharp pain slices through my heart, because I realize he took my dreams with him.
Chapter 9
After Oliver is gone I notice the open mouths and dazed expressions on the news crew, and heat surges to my face as I say, “I’m sorry you had to see that.”
Debbie cuts in as she takes my arm. “Give us a few minutes, would you? Ian, give them something to eat while Morgan and I talk.”
I let Debbie lead me back to the office without complaint, and when we get there I pace my office as the adrenaline of my outburst subsides and embarrassment replaces it. “Oh god,” I say. “I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
Debbie doesn’t say anything as I walk back and forth. When I finally stop, she asks, “Are you okay?”
I let out a sigh. “Yeah.” I shake my head as I replay what I just did. “I think.” I cringe a little as I say, “Please tell me none of that was captured on film.”
“No. Luckily, you aren’t about to be the top story.” She mimics a reporter’s voice. “Breaking news. Caffeine freak out by coffee shop owner. Story at ten.”
I let out a huff of anger. “Stop it. What Oliver did to me this morning was way over the line, and I’m not ready to forgive him.”
Debbie’s gaze is the intense one she uses when chastising an employee for wrongdoing. “I’m not sure I follow. He and Ian spent most of yesterday and a good chunk of time last night figuring out that glowing mug. It’s going to save your bacon, so why are you so upset?”
I blink in confusion that she doesn’t get it. “How about the part where I should have been asked if I even wanted to use it? Last time I checked I still owned this place.”
“Why wouldn’t you use the mug?” Debbie shakes her head. “Seriously, Morgan. The concept is brilliant, it’s going to make Oliver and Ian a lot of money, and it means you aren’t going to lose your Eroscian customers.”
“Because!” I blurt out. I think about how the mug does solve the problem of an alien consuming caffeine in my shop. She’s right. Damn it. I swipe away my angry tears. I’d be a fool not to use Oliver and Ian’s invention. I scowl and let out a low growl. “I feel like I was overthrown. Look, I admit the mug is brilliant, but why wasn’t I part of the decision to use it?”
“I’m sorry. You should have been, but it all happened so fast. When Ian called Cathy to tell her about it, she jumped on the chance to break the news and got here before you did. In hindsight I realize I should have told the news crew to wait until you got here before they did anything.”
I remember Oliver texted me when he was on his way to the coffee shop just before I showered, and he had every right to think I would be there instead of home. Ian probably contacted Cathy at the same time, so it does make sense. It occurs to me this is Oliver’s invention too, and I don’t exactly have proprietary rights over either alien. “Thank you for the explanation. But I still feel as if Oliver acted on my behalf, and I don’t like it.”
“You’re overreacting. Oliver wants your business to succeed, and he’s clearly willing to do whatever he can to help. You should be grateful he’s so smart.”
“I am. It’s just that...”
“You’re not used to accepting help?”
I notice a plaque on my wall from a small independent business association. I walk over and the metal engraving is rough on my finger as I trace it. I got the Bootstraps Award for being an underdog who managed to become a success. I recall the way I struggled with nothing more than bartending tips to start my coffee shop and all the sacrifices I’ve made along the way.
“I got here on my own, and I’m proud of it,” I say.
“I know,” says Debbie. “But your pride isn’t worth fighting Oliver’s involvement in your career. Especially when you have to admit his contributions are good ones.”
I close my eyes and let out a sigh. “I do.”
“Uh-huh.” She puts her hands on her hips. “So, what do you say to the new cups?”
“Yes.”
“What about the television interview with Cathy?”
“Yes to that too, but hold them off a little longer.” Oliver needs to get the credit for what he and Ian invented. “There’s someone who needs to be present for the interview.”
Debbie opens my office door and holds it for me. “Slip out the back to get Oliver, and I’ll ply everyone with chocolate croissants while we wait.”
I give my manager and friend a hug. “Thanks for talking me down when I get crazy.”
“Anytime.”
This time when I move along the sidewalk, I’m not so light on my feet. Shame burns in me as I think about how I treated Oliver, and I wonder if he’s already packing his bags. I jog up the steps to my apartment and pause to take a deep breath before I enter. I find my alien on the floor doing pushups. His rippling back muscles don’t go unnoticed as I say, “Hey.”
He stops and stands up to face me. “Hey.”
I take a step closer. “I’m really sorry for how I acted earlier. I don’t want you to leave.”
He takes a moment to study me before he says, “I’m not sure if I can stay on your terms. I want a partner who appreciates the things I do for her and believes my intentions are good instead of assuming I have ulterior motives.”
I swallow hard. “You deserve that from me, and I’m sorry I haven’t been giving it to you. I let my pride get in the way of good sense, but I do believe everything you’ve done was to help me.”
“So what was your anger about, Morgan? What is it I do that pushes your buttons?”
I shake my head. “You’re smart and clever and come up with ideas I wish I’d had.”
“Are you jealous?”
I remember how angry I’ve been getting when Oliver has a good idea, and that my first reaction has been to reject it. Do I respond that way because I’m envious of his savvy business mind? My stomach knots up because I think that may be part of my problem. I blink back the tears burning in my eyes. “Maybe.”
He sighs and steps toward me to grip my arms lightly. “I’m not better at running your business than you are, and I never could be. This isn’t a competition.”
I gaze up into the compassionate face of my alien match… the alien I want to marry and be with for the rest of my life. It hurts my heart that I’ve been too blind to see he’s my partner instead of an adversary. “No, it’s not. I want you to be by my side forever, Oliver.” I place my hand on his chest over his heart, and it beats strongly beneath my palm. “I’ve been a fool, and I hope you can forgive me.”
He leans down and kis
ses me slow and deep, and warmth fills my entire being. I realize that Oliver has already found a place in my life, and my heart. When we end the kiss, my emotions make my chest tight. A feeling I recognize but was afraid I’d never feel again radiates through me, and I say, “I love you. Oliver.”
He grins as if I’ve given him the best gift ever. “I love you too. Want to get married?”
I smile back. “Yes. I do.”
He lets out a whoop as he lifts me up in the air above his head. When he sets me down he asks, “Can it be tonight? Because—” he waggles his eyebrows at me, “—I’ve got an idea or two for later.”
“Hmmm.” I bite my lower lip as I scan his body with my gaze. “I might have one or two of my own.”
My sexy alien lets out a low groan and grabs my hips to pull me tight against his body. “I can’t wait,” he says.
“That reminds me. The reason I was so late going into the shop this morning is that I think I’ve got a way to pull you into the coffee shop business. Perhaps help me make humans a little healthier?”
“I’m interested.”
“This would mean we’d have to work together; as partners.”
“I’d like that,” he says before he kisses me with the promise of so much more. The TV interview can wait.
Chapter 10
I let out a squeal when Oliver scoops me up and runs up the stairs of my apartment building to the threshold. “You’re going to have a heart attack,” I say.
“Are you kidding? I’ve been walking around half naked and you didn’t notice how buff I am?”
I chuckle as he gets to the door of my—our—apartment. “Oh I noticed. Why do you think I just married you?”
“I knew it.” The lock clicks open when I turn it from my precarious position in his arms, and he takes an exaggerated step over the threshold before he sets me down. “I believe the next tradition for newlyweds happens in the bedroom.”
