widows_kiss | Appointments Post

"It takes some practice. You haven't been back at it very long yet to rebuild your stamina," she countered, giving him a crooked smile. She might not have experience with regaining a missing limb, but she'd had her fair share of injuries that needed some recovery time afterwards. "It'll come back."

She doesn't miss the longing glance he shoots at her machines. "Well, we're not officially open yet. Next month sometime, I hope. And I can probably con Bucky and Clint into helping out here and there should the need arise, but I thought I'd put out a message over the journals, see if there'd be any willing volunteers to come in and donate hours here and there.

Now it was his turn to be sheepish, if she had put out word on the comm, he'd probably been asleep or out of commission for one reason or other. With a soft scratching at the back of his head he turned to lean against the wall. For support, since he was feeling a little wobblier than when he started out this morning.

"Once I can stand for hours at a time, I'll lend mine. I lived in Vancouver for a while, had some time near Seattle... know a thing or two or eight about coffee." he wasn't elitist or ridiculous, but he had a few friends who had done barista work before.

She arches an eyebrow at that, not having expected the offer. "Have you now?" She pauses, studying him a moment before crooking a finger at him, motioning him to follow her back behind the bar, although she took her time about it, not missing that he was a little unsteady on his feet after his workout.

"Why don't you show me what you can do?"

"Just a thing or so," his confidence didn't waver as she urged him back behind the counter, taking a moment to familiarize himself with the machines. The next step was to turn to her, smiling a little more to one side.

"Your preference? Or do you want me to surprise you?" he wasn't good enough to guess what she might like from having known her for as short a time period as he had, but he could make a wild guess and laugh if he's wrong.

Though, to be truthful, it had been a few years since he'd been able to appreciate coffee-- brewed and packaged and dispensed to him hot and fresh. Hopefully she'd forgive him if it wasn't the best thing she'd ever had. Regardless, he'd begun to prepare her something, mug in hand and piping hot coffee pouring into it.

"Surprise me," she answered, shifting back and hopping up to perch on the opposite counter behind him, one leg swinging lightly as she watched him with an intent gaze.

"So Seattle and Vancouver, is it? Is that where you're from?"

It was simple small talk as she watched him work, chatter to fill the air as he made her a drink.

Taking that as his cue to begin, he took stock of what she had on hand, some spices, plenty of grounds, whipped cream, some syrups... enough to make a small creation out of on the fly. A quick glance over his shoulder at her had him giving a measuring look. Medium roasted, probably, on account of she seemed like a versatile kind of lady. More bold than bland but more subtle than stark.

The mixing came back to him like riding a bicycle, injecting some cream, some sweetner, and to top it off with a little almond flavoring. She seemed like the sensual type, what with that red hair she had. Finished, he held out the mug to her, not exactly boasting, but not apprehensive either.

"I really hope you like your coffee with creamer, otherwise I'll name this the coffee of shame."

"No need for that just yet," she laughs, reaching out and accepting the cup, having watched him mix with an intent gaze, noting the easy way he fell back into it. He hadn't been lying when he said he had some experience and she could admit she was already impressed.

Of course, there was still the taste test to pass and she lifted the mug to her lips and took an experimental sip. Then another, letting the flavors sink in, her expression thoughtful as she savored it, giving very little away to the man watching her for a reaction.

When she'd dragged it out long enough to make him squirm at least a little, she glanced over and met his gaze, one eyebrow arched. "Yes, I think it's safe to say you're definitely hired."

Inwardly he was holding his breath, watching her as she sipped the coffee in a way that was impressively unimpressed looking. He was about to babble that he was quite rusty in terms of mixing, but that flavor was an art form and... tongue in cheek, he was sorting out what to say before she spoke.

"Wha-- oh!" cue the relief he felt, nearly palpable in how he relaxed with a smile. Being around the house was all fine and good, but he really needed to get out more and this was one chance he'd entertained.

That, and working with a pretty lady was always nice. A real perk.

"What's the name of this place going to be? So I can start doing some unofficial advertising for it, and all..."

Edited 2013-05-23 03:29 (UTC)

She smiled when relief flared over his face, amused by the force of it. And okay, maybe a little bit of mischievous delight in stringing him along. She had a perverse sense of humor.

"Unofficial advertising, is it? And it's not set in stone yet, but I think we'll be going with "A Shot in the Dark". Not to play up that government-agent-goes-barista angle too much or anything," she counters, humor in her gaze. "Although shooting holes in my sign might still instill a proper amount of respect."

Well, at least someone was having fun at his expense. A pretty lady, even better. "You're a government agent?" truthfully he didn't know, but the way he asked was something akin to a reporter hopping into some really interesting news unexpectedly. He dropped the act, never the wiser, and not worried about being told the truth or not.

Shooting anything-- he had a healthy respect for guns, and they'd been both helpful and harmful during the z-plague, to be honest. People didn't know how to use them hurting themselves and then it being in the hands of the wrong people. "No plans to shoot it unless it gives the sign a little character. But a shot in the dark-- what about the folks who don't like creamy coffee?"

His smile was genuinely good-natured, though. "So tell me a bit more about yourself-- or is it classified?"

"Clint hadn't shared that with Jack?" Her lips twitch faintly at his surprise and sudden interest. She takes another sip of the coffee he'd made her. "Yes. We both are. Technically, the term is 'Specialist', but it amounts to the same thing. And there will still be things here to cater to most people's tastes. I've been stocking up on cocoa and those," she nods to the flavor bottles, "can be used for Italian sodas."

At his smile, she shot one back, hint of coy mischief still lingering. "That depends on what you want to know. Although yes, there is a good deal of it classified."

"Clint may have told Jack, but they're training buddies and I'm not part of that exclusive club." by way of explaining, he tried to add a little humor in there. He was just there to look at a fine pair of derriers, not really participate in that rigorous regimine. But... now that he had two legs, there was no reason for him not to...

"From specialist to Barista owner? My, your resume must be really interesting. Are you like Clint in having tasted various dubious kinds of meat? Including bad, I might add..." it was a safe enough subject he thought. Not serious, away from anything potentially too job related, and it dealt with food. Win, win, and win.

So, Italian sodas, coffee, and potentially a pastry display. But he still needed to broach that idea with her.

"So if I'm working for you now, like you said I should be doing, then you'll probably want me to bring all my skills to the front counter, right?"

"Is it exclusive?" she teased him, because she'd dropped in once or twice when Clint was working with him. "You could always join in. Jack seems to benefit from it. Clint's a good trainer."

She laughed when he mentioned her resume, humor lighting green eyes. "Oh, you have no idea." Although she wasn't entirely certain what he was referring to with her partner. "I think I've missed an interesting conversation. Clint's certainly had a wide range of experiences to tell tales of. Half of them might even be true."

Natasha leaned against the counter, hands cupping her mug as she tilted her head to the side and studied him with a faint smile. "At least the relevant ones. The ones I've observed so far seem to make you perfect for it. Are there other ones I don't know about yet?" Yes, that's a definite glint of mischief in her gaze now.

"i benefit from it," he confessed without thinking, chuckling softly and trying to avoid any questions as to why he benefited from it in particular. The way her eyes lit up was nice and he found himself looking for a little longer than he meant to, to which he quickly averted his and scoffed. Any talents he had, he wasn't going to share so freely on their second conversation, though he was very tempted to play along. Perhaps once things were underway and he felt more comfortable knowing she wouldn't dropkick him for a smart comment.

His pride wouldn't afford him that kind of rejection, taken or not.

"Cooking, in particular. Were you around when me and Jack baked more pies than we could ever hope to devour?" If they'd managed to keep them fresh, he was certain that they'd both still have overflow, even from back when they'd first arrived. "I've got some free time on my hands to try out pastries-- and what coffee place is complete without chocolate chip cookies?"

He may not go into detail in explaining that comment, but she hadn't missed his return that morning from the tunnels and it had been pretty obvious what he and Jack were to each other. It wasn't hard to guess what that little smirk was for, and she laughed, understanding entirely.

"That doesn't mean you should miss out yourself. Some specialized training might do you some good. Do you have anyone helping you strengthening your muscles back up?" Working around and recovering from injuries was something both she and Clint had a fair share of experience in. Granted, Clint had a little more than her, but she was also used to being his partner through it as well.

She shook her head at the mention of the pies, looking bemused. "No, I'm afraid I missed that. So you know how to bake as well as make a mean cup of coffee? I think I've hit the jackpot. Pastries are not one of my talents. I was figuring I'd have to make a deal somehow with the bakery next door."

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