It was the same thing every morning. You set up for the day, open the store, and make yourself look busy until four-thirty. Every morning like clockwork. Working at a local coffee shop near your college campus didn't pay much, sure, but it made ends meet at the very least and gave you the chance to meet new people and get to know them. You loved all of your regulars dearly, but there was one that stood out among the rest.

You came to know him as Carl. Everyday you were working, he'd come in, chat with you for a bit, order the same thing and sit close to the counter. What you didn't know however—even though all your coworkers came to figure it out eventually— was that your favorite regular happened to have a teensy, tiny, massive crush on you. It was obvious, really.

Today was no different, like always, Carl came in bright and early, right as you open the store with a soft smile on his face. Seeing you was the highlight of his day.