barucai

[Story] Morning Brew

Published: November 26th 2024, 4:00:04 am

Hi Hi ✨

A light hearted easy to read story today! No growth just a huge woman casually spending some quality time at the beach. I liked where the story ended so instead of an alternate story ending, I included some extra images of Lily! I hope you like them!

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Morning Brew

"One large iced caramel macchiato with an extra shot, please."

The deep, melodious voice startled Tom from his morning routine of wiping down the already spotless counter of his beachside coffee kiosk. He looked up - and then up some more - to meet the tired eyes of probably the tallest woman he'd seen this season. She towered over his small stand, her business attire looking comically out of place against the backdrop of swaying palm trees and turquoise waves.

"Rough morning?" he asked, already reaching for his stepping stool to access the top-shelf syrups. At his full height of three feet, he'd learned to navigate his space efficiently, even if it meant occasionally climbing like a monkey to reach things.

The woman's exhausted expression cracked into a slight smile. "Is it that obvious?"

"Well, the designer suit at 7 AM on a beach in Maui kind of gives it away," Tom replied, carefully measuring the espresso shots. "I'm Tom, by the way. Welcome to Little Waves Coffee."

"Lily," she responded, watching with poorly concealed amusement as he expertly maneuvered around his kiosk. "And yes, I probably look ridiculous. I came straight from my red-eye flight. Couldn't even check into the hotel yet."

Tom nodded sympathetically while crafting her drink. "Ah, the classic 'too early for check-in' predicament. Well, you've found the right place to kill some time. Best coffee on the island - if I do say so myself."

Lily leaned against the counter, which hit her at mid-thigh level. "Bold claim. I'll be the judge of that." Her attempt at sternness was betrayed by the playful glint in her eyes.

"Challenge accepted," Tom grinned, putting the finishing touches on her drink. He had to stretch up on his tiptoes on the stepping stool to slide it across the counter to her. "Though I should warn you, I have a pretty strong track record of converting skeptics into regulars."

Lily took a sip and her eyes widened slightly. "Okay, I'll give you this one - it's pretty amazing."

"Pretty amazing? Just wait until you try my special coconut cold brew. But that's a tomorrow kind of drink," Tom said, watching as she savored another sip.

"Tomorrow?" Lily raised an eyebrow. "Someone's confident I'll be back."

Tom shrugged, his smile unwavering. "Like I said, I have a good track record."

The next morning, Lily returned - this time in more beach-appropriate attire, a flowing sundress that made her look even taller, if that was possible. "One coconut cold brew," she announced, "Since someone was so confident about it yesterday."

Tom was already gathering his ingredients. "Did you manage to check in and get some rest?"

"Finally, yes. Though I spent most of the day answering emails instead of relaxing like I'm supposed to." Lily sighed, watching him work. "My assistant practically forced me to take this vacation. Said if I didn't use my accumulated leave, she'd resign in protest."

"Sounds like a good assistant," Tom commented, carefully mixing the coconut cream. "Sometimes we need someone to force us to slow down."

"I don't do 'slow down' very well," Lily admitted. "I've been running at full speed since college. Built my consulting firm from scratch, and now..." she gestured vaguely with her hand, "Now I apparently need to 'recharge' before I burn out."

Tom finished her drink with a flourish, adding a tiny paper umbrella. "Well, you're in the right place for that. There's something about this beach that helps people find their pace again."

Lily took her drink, then surprised them both by settling onto one of the small chairs near the kiosk. It was comically small for her, but she didn't seem to mind. "And what's your story, Tom? How does someone end up running a coffee kiosk in paradise?"

"Ah, the classic origin story request," he chuckled, starting to clean his equipment. "It's not very exciting. Used to be in finance in New York. One winter morning, I looked at myself in the mirror and didn't recognize the person staring back. So, I sold everything, moved here, and built this place." He patted the kiosk affectionately. "Best decision I ever made."

"Even with all the..." Lily gestured to the height difference between them, "challenges?"

Tom laughed. "You mean being tiny in a world built for giants? You learn to adapt. Besides, it adds character to the place. People remember the little guy who makes great coffee."

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of other customers, but Lily stayed, sipping her drink and watching the morning unfold. The regulars all seemed to know Tom, and he had a way of making everyone feel special, regardless of size.

When the morning rush died down, Lily stood to leave. "I hate to admit it, but you were right about the coconut cold brew."

"Does that mean I'll see you tomorrow?" Tom asked, trying to sound casual.

Lily smiled, the first genuine, relaxed smile he'd seen from her. "Well, I am here for three weeks. It would be a shame not to try everything on the menu."

"Tomorrow then," Tom nodded. "I'll introduce you to my macadamia nut latte. It's life-changing."

"Life-changing coffee? That's quite a promise."

"I tend to keep my promises," Tom replied with a wink.

As Lily walked away, her feet leaving deep prints in the sand, Tom couldn't help but smile. Something told him this was going to be an interesting three weeks.

The next morning, Lily arrived just as Tom was setting up, her long legs carrying her effortlessly across the beach. She'd traded the sundress for shorts and a tank top, looking more relaxed with each passing day.

"I didn't think you'd be open yet," she said, watching as he arranged his supplies.

"Technically, I'm not," Tom replied, retrieving his stepping stool. "But for life-changing coffee emergencies, I make exceptions."

"Oh, so I'm an exception now?" Lily teased, settling into what was quickly becoming her usual spot.

"Let's just say I don't usually have seven-foot-tall business moguls helping me set up shop in the morning."

"I'm only six-foot-nine, thank you very much," Lily corrected with mock indignation. Then, after a pause, "Wait, how did you know I was a mogul?"

Tom grinned as he began crafting her drink. "I might have Googled you last night. Lily Chen, founder of Chen Consulting Group. Very impressive."

"That's cheating," she protested, but she was smiling.

"I prefer to think of it as thorough research into my customers' preferences." He carefully added the macadamia nut syrup he'd made himself. "After all, I have a reputation for life-changing coffee to maintain."

Lily watched him work, admiring the precise way he moved around his space despite his size. "You know, I have to ask - doesn't it bother you? Having to use the stepping stool, climbing around to reach things?"

Tom considered the question as he finished her drink. "It used to, back in New York. In the corporate world, being small meant constantly having to prove myself. But here?" He gestured to his kiosk and the beach beyond. "Here, it's just part of who I am. The stepping stool is just a tool, like the espresso machine or the grinder. It's not a limitation; it's just how I get things done."

"That's... actually pretty profound," Lily said, accepting her drink. She took a sip and her eyes widened. "Oh my god."

"Life-changing?" Tom asked with a knowing smile.

"Don't let it go to your head, but... yes. Absolutely yes."

And so began their morning routine. Each day, Lily would arrive just before opening, sometimes helping Tom set up, sometimes just keeping him company as he prepared for the day. He introduced her to his entire menu - the lavender honey latte, the passion fruit iced tea, the mango espresso fusion that shouldn't have worked but somehow did.

But more than that, he introduced her to the rhythm of island life. He showed her how to spot sea turtles in the morning waves, taught her the names of the local birds that visited his kiosk, and shared stories about the regulars who made up his daily clientele.

Lily, in turn, found herself talking about things she rarely discussed - her fears about the company growing too fast, the pressure of being a woman in her position, the loneliness of success. Tom listened without judgment, occasionally offering insights that were as perfectly crafted as his coffee.

It was during their third week, as Tom was teaching Lily how to make a proper pour-over (which involved her kneeling down to his level while he demonstrated), that she realized something had changed. The tension she'd carried in her shoulders for years had eased. The constant buzz of anxiety about emails and meetings had quieted. Somewhere between the coconut cold brews and the sunrise chats, she'd found her pace again.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Tom asked, noticing her contemplative expression.

"I was just thinking... I have to leave in four days," Lily said softly.

Tom's hands stilled on the coffee filter. "Ah. Right. Back to the real world?"

"Is that what it is? Because somehow this feels more real than anything back home."

Tom was quiet for a moment, measuring coffee beans with careful precision. "You know," he finally said, "I do have a business proposition for you, if you're interested."

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Little Waves Coffee is doing well enough that I've been thinking about expanding. Opening a second location. But I'd need a partner who understands business strategy." He looked up at her. "Someone who might be interested in splitting their time between New York and Hawaii."

"Tom..." Lily started, but he held up a hand.

"Just think about it. You've built an amazing company, Lily. But maybe it's time to build something else too. Something smaller, slower... but no less meaningful."

Lily looked around the kiosk, at the precisely arranged bottles that Tom had to climb to reach, at the tiny chairs that she'd grown oddly fond of, at the morning sun painting everything in gold. She thought about her office back in New York, all chrome and glass and speed.

"You know what?" she said finally, a slow smile spreading across her face. "I think I'd like to hear more about this business proposition. Maybe over dinner?"

Tom's answering smile was brighter than the sunrise. "I know just the place. Fair warning though - the chairs might be a bit small."

Lily laughed, the sound carrying across the morning beach. "I think I can handle that."

And as they stood there, a tiny barista and his giant customer, with the waves crashing behind them and the scent of coffee in the air, both knew that something as simple as a morning brew had changed everything.