It had been a week of the lady coming in at the same time every morning, before anyone else had, and ordering a coffee with a treat to go with it. Although instead of direct pickup lines she would ask Daisy things about the coffee shop and herself. Most of the time though Daisy answered with a straight answer and killed the conversation instantly, that never seemed to dampen the lady's mood.
Darius was finding it amusing to see her come in every day and try with Daisy and get shot down. He had to admit she was lasting longer than anyone else before and she also wasn't just straight out hitting on Daisy. Darius found it quite smart of the lady to ask questions to get to know Daisy and the place she owned because it opened the door to more things. It also didn't make her seem like she was coming off too strong.
Kaily was actually rooting the lady on, in her mind, because she thought everyone should fall in love. Since Kaily has known Daisy she has never talked about anyone or even seemed interested in anyone. Plus most of the people who tried to get with Daisy in the past all came on strong with sexual pickup lines, which Kaily found trashy. Kaily was a romantic at heart and it would seem the lady coming on respectfully made Kaily cheer for her.
Daisy, on the other hand, hadn't really thought too much of the lady. In Daisy's mind, the lady was just another customer that was interested in her that she had to serve. Although Daisy wouldn't say she wasn't surprised at how the lady kept coming back. And Daisy didn't mind as long as the lady wasn't trying to get in her pants or causing issues.
In fact, despite Daisy shutting down would-be conversations with one-word answers, she didn't mind answering them at all. Not many people asked about Daisy's coffee shop unless they wanted a job or they were surprised that she owned it. Also, not many people asked Daisy's favorite color besides Darius and Kaily, seeing as they were her only friends in Ferris.
Needless to say, the lady had quickly become a part of everyone's morning and so when Darius had already made her order, Kaily was glancing from the clock to the door, and Daisy had already typed the total into the cash register- when the lady didn't show, everyone was surprised.
Kaily had hoped that the lady was just running late but when the time went and customers came in that idea vanished. Darius wondered if the lady had finally grown tired of Daisy's cold shoulder and was sad he wouldn't see her around anymore because she brought him amusement.
"Do you think she won't be back?" Kaily spoke up once they had a break from the mini morning rush.
"That could be possible. I mean maybe she learned to make good coffee and treats at home." Darius said and he didn't want to say that Daisy's cold shoulder could be the reason the lady didn't stop by.
Kaily nodded, "Or she had a really busy workday or rough night?" Kaily followed Darius' lead in not saying that maybe the lady gave up and wouldn't be back.
Daisy was whipping down the coffee machines, "Customers come and go all the time. The lady wasn't any different."
Darius and Kaily looked at each other as Daisy went about cleaning the appliances to keep her busy. They both knew that the lady not showing up was bothering Daisy, even if just a little bit, because Daisy only cleaned appliances in the middle of the day when she was worried, thinking hard over something, or avoiding something. It had taken them a while to notice that but after working here for a few months and now 2-3 years they could tell.
Daisy stopped to look at them, "Hey, don't get lazy on me now. Let's do something around the shop."
Kaily sighed and went to go check on people sitting down and sweep the floors. Kaily didn't want to cause Daisy more distress and so she went on to do something to ease Daisy's mind. Darius smiled at Daisy before going back into the kitchen to prepare some of the treats that needed to be put into the oven before the afternoon rush started at 1. Daisy went to get the watering can and spray bottle from the cupboard back in the kitchen, which she filled with water before heading out to the front.
Daisy went about watering the plants she had everywhere and even allowed some of the consumers to use the spray bottle to spray some of the leaves. Daisy didn't want to say it out loud but it felt weird not having the lady stopping in this morning and asking questions in hopes of a conversation.
Daisy didn't realize how quickly she had just gotten used to seeing the lady and felt slightly bad that she never even got her name. She found herself trying to focus on watering the plants and not the idea that the lady might never come back. Daisy knew she wasn't the only coffee shop in Ferris and the lady could have decided elsewhere.
Daisy had moved with the watering can to water the plants outside her shop. She had some on the wall of both sides of the door and then a couple by the long window that showed the inside of the shop. Daisy always enjoyed coming outside to water the plants as the sun was up in the sky. It helped lighten Daisy's mood a bit to be outside taking care of her plants, stopping from time to time to wave a little kids or answer questions that people had about the coffee shop before they decided whether to go in or not.
"Not gonna lie, I thought the plants out here were fake." A voice that Daisy had grown used to said, making her stop her tending to her plants and turn to see the lady standing there with a smile on her face as she stared at Daisy.
"I would never put out fake plants. Real ones are better for the environment." Daisy said as her grip on the watering can tighten and loosened. It was the first time Daisy had given more than a one-word answer besides when the lady was asking about someone on the menu.
The lady was pleasantly surprised, "Ahh, yes, the environment is very important. Did you know there's a store a few miles away that is selling nice plants too?"
That actually caught Daisy's interest, "I didn't know. I had to get these ordered in because Farris's other flower shops didn't have the plants I liked."
"I actually saw some of the plants you have here there and some others that I know nothing about, but I'm sure we could go together sometime and find some more plants and you can explain them to me?" The lady bit her lip as she smiled at Daisy hoping that she didn't get shot down this time.
Daisy actually found herself thinking about it and not just outright refusing. Daisy did like plants and would like to add more to her shop and she would like to check out the new store that might have good ones.
Daisy also couldn't help but find it kind of cute of the lady to be asking her out on a date just to go see plants. Daisy already knew she would probably enjoy herself and if not then she would just respectfully tell the lady to back off and hopefully, she would. She didn't seem like the type to creepily stalk you until you fell in love with her.
"I actually think I wouldn't mind going to see plants with you, -" Daisy paused and the lady's eyes widened as she realized she never gave her name.
"Aisha. My name is Aisha and you're Daisy." Aisha said as she couldn't help the big smile on her lips.
Daisy laughed and let a smile finally grace her face, "I am indeed, Daisy. I'm also free on Saturday so if you come back around noon we can check out the store then?"
"That's perfect. I'll be here at noon and not a minute late." Aisha was excited and even Daisy could see that and Daisy only found it endearing to see. It was like she had made Daisy's whole day just by agreeing and to Aisha she had.
"Do you want your regular to go because Kaily or Darius could make it for you? I have to finish tending to my plants though." Daisy said as she gave a quick look at her plants before looking at a very happy Aisha again.
Aisha glanced at the door and then Daisy, "How about I just come back in the morning like usual?"
Daisy nodded, "That's fine with me too."
Aisha gave a wave and turned to walk away and couldn't be happier. Daisy didn't know it but she was the first person Aisha had ever asked out and she wasn't going to come back but decided a quick walk by couldn't hurt. But when she saw Daisy out front of the shop she couldn't help speaking to her and somehow she had gotten lucky enough to get an entire date and conversation out of her.