Pretty Privilege

John noticed that the majority of Sophia's customers were older men. 

Most were there to have breakfast and enjoy a coffee or tea while reading the morning news. However, it wasn't lost on John that many of them watched Sophia whenever they got the opportunity. Their eyes drifted over the top of the paper and only glanced away when they realized John was paying attention. 

Many regulars walked in addressing Sophia by Soph or Miss Prince. They were loud and complimentary. She knew most of their orders by heart. Many of them even talked about how sad they were to have seen the shop closed unusually the day before.

Needless to say, John felt jealous each time Sophia grinned at one of the customers and laughed at their ridiculous jokes. He knew why she was doing it because many would pay in full and then double their order with a large tip in her tip jar. There was no longer any doubt why she could afford such a nice townhouse in the middle of the city.

Though, John didn't know why this sort of information was readily available in his head. Numbers, prices, the city. He felt he would soon remember who he was. Both dread and the need to be in his right mental state were gnawing at his insides. 

When there was less of a rush, Sophia leaned against the counter and gave a gentle sigh. 

"It was busy this morning," she said. "I'm going to be tired later." 

John stood up from where he had taken a seat and approached the counter, leaning against it with his eyes fixed on her. 

"You have a lot of regulars," John observed. 

Sophia adjusted her hair and her eyebrows raised at him. 

"Actually, I thought I had a lot of new faces in the store today," she said. 

She blamed it on feeling lonely but she thought John sounded jealous. 

Her theory that he was jealous was supported by the fact that a few young women made it into the store after seeing John. It was no mystery to Sophia that he was attractive. 

"Maybe you could stand behind the counter and help people with their orders," she mused. "Even if you just bag up bagels or other treats for the people, I'm sure they'll be very appreciative." 

She wouldn't say it out loud but he looked pretty good in an apron. Maybe she would have said something if she was at a point in her life where she felt desirable. She wondered how he would handle that.

His dark eyebrows lowered but he wasn't going to argue with her finally putting him to work. 

The next couple of hours, Sophia realized she created a monster. 

Even though she was managing the till and occasionally going to the back to take various things out of the oven, she was able to witness John lighten up and show surprisingly decent customer service. With his muscular chest peeking out the top of the apron and his biceps rippling whenever he had to get something out for someone, he was a force to be reckoned with. 

The men had her but the women had John. It was probably the best tip day she had in a long time.

She was tempted to put him on her social media but she didn't know if it would get him found. It was hard to admit to herself that she didn't want him to leave yet. He had brought a strange excitement to her life that she hadn't felt in a long time.

Considering Grant was in finance, that meant John was as well. All of the men in that field had a certain suave nature about them. They knew their way around women was all she needed to say about that. 

Everyone else in the store was peacefully eating or drinking at the tables. There were people by themselves working or studying and a couple of friend groups chatting and enjoying matcha lattes and iced mochas. 

As Sophia looked across the bakery, she realized that this was what she had always wanted. Maybe one day she would find a guy who showed interest in her business. Bonus points if they were as attractive as John. He stuck out like a sore thumb but in the best way possible. 

The realization that he didn't belong there caused her to frown. She was being selfish. 

"Things have been happening quickly," Sophia uttered, turning to lean against the counter so she could look up at John. "I should probably look you up. Based on my knowledge about where Grant works, it wouldn't be hard to find information about you." 

The counter was l-shaped and crafted out of a light brown wood. John stepped to the shorter end of the counter, putting him close to Sophia. 

Her heart raced as his spearmint scent touched her nose. A familiar cramping took place in her lower stomach, though it was mild. She could withstand and try not to react or he was going to worry again. 

"Does it matter if I don't remember who I am?" he asked quietly. "How am I supposed to work if I don't remember how to do my job?" 

"Y-you're right about that," Sophia said nervously. 

She hated how relieved she felt. 

However, at his proximity, she felt hot and she looked up at him desperately, silent in her plea for him not to come closer. Her health had been hard to understand. Whenever he came closer, he made it worse and she didn't know why. 

"Are you alright, Sophia?" he asked her, concern evident on his chiseled features. 

She was mesmerized for a moment. It was like her mind was screaming to escape but her body was locked in place even though it was aching. 

When his hand started reaching for her face, she snapped back to reality at the store full of customers. She pushed his hand away and headed for the kitchen. 

"Sorry, I just need a minute," she uttered, trying to pull herself together.