I tightened the scarf around my neck and felt confident enough to head to my own bus stop. Market Square was deserted and it was a relief. Most of the little shops that surrounded the place were closed down. One little shop off to the side still had a warm glow coming from the window. It was probably the place producing the tantalizing aroma of coffee. Despite the bitter cold and craving for good coffee and biscotti I trudged to the bus stop.

I leaned against the sign just waiting. I wanted nothing more than to get into my own car. Oh the heated seats and blasting hot air would definitely thaw out my poor frozen body. It was somewhat disconcerting standing alone on the corner though. Apparently everyone else found other modes of transportation to work, or they called off. The nylons on my legs did little to protect my skin from the bitter cold wind. This just solidified my wanting a parking lease even more.

"Hey, you!"

I turned to the voice and saw the guy from Belinda's office quickly walking towards me.

I looked around, then back at him. "Who? Me?"

"Yeah. Why are you standing out here in the cold?"

I pointed up at the bus stop sign. "Waiting."

"You don't drive?"

"I do but in my infinite wisdom this morning thought I'd save thirty bucks and park at the mall. The bus seemed like a good idea then."

"Oh. Well you look cold."

"I am," I said through chattering teeth.

"Come on then."

"Where? The bus should be here in twenty minutes I don't want to miss it," I shouted through the howling wind.

"You're not waiting out here for a bus. I'll drive you to your car."

"It's kind of far from here."

"It's fine. I like to drive." He insisted.

"Are you some sort of serial killer or something? You're being awfully insistent on getting me to go with you."

He laughed and ran his fingers through his already messy hair. "I'm a nice guy is all. If you want to wait that's fine. You can freeze your tail off."

He turned and started walking down the sidewalk. It was as though he didn't even care that I said no. I looked around and as an unforgiving winter wind blasted my already numb body I ran after him.

"Hey! Um I'll take you up on that offer." I smiled meekly.

"I figured you would," he laughed. "Your name is?"

"Oh, I'm Elysse."

"I'm..."

I cut him off. "Connor. I heard Belinda say it."

He laughed again. His eyes twinkled a bit and the dimples in his cheeks popped. "Yes, I'm Connor Guy. Well, Elysse, it's nice to officially meet you."

"Same here," I said, trying to suppress a smile and giggle that wanted to escape.

"Would you like some coffee?" he asked suddenly.

"Huh?"

"Coffee? Cappuccino? It's cold and there's a nice coffee shop around the corner."

"Oh, yeah, sure. That'd be great."

We took a quick right turn, and the smell of brewing coffee greeted us. It was the same coffee place I smelled walking across the Square. It was a distinct robust blend with a hint of peppermint. I'm not sure I had ever smelled a more magnificent smell before. The aroma of the different flavors wafted from a small shop a few stores down. Looking around I realized we had walked in a big circle. We were back in Market Square, so it was the same place. The green and red awning that protected the worn brown store front was burdened down with snow. The vinyl slumped under the weight and occasionally a merciless lump of white powder fell to the ground. Connor held the door open for me and we stepped into the small shop. The wooden walls were lined with coffee, tea, and coffee accessories. The store was definitely one of the most morning beverage oriented shops I'd ever been in. I browsed around looking at the different flavors. There were bolds, milds, French pressed, morning, robust, and flavored. There were different sized coffee mugs, travel mugs, percolators, and coffee snacks lined against another wall.

"You like coffee?"

"I'm a freshman in college. I live on coffee."

"Same here. Come on they have some great stuff ready."

"Okay." I let him lead me through the muddled shop to the front counter where steaming pots were sitting behind it.

A cheerful and plump older woman stood ready to take our order. Her graying hair was tied up in a loose bun and her rosy cheeks looked like they were threatening to fall off if she smiled any harder.

"Hello!" her deep baritone voice boomed.

"Hi," I squeaked out.

"Coffee?"

"Yes. Two French vanillas with double shot of espresso please and an extra shot of vanilla in each," Connor said pulling out his wallet.

"You're paying for my coffee?" I whispered.

"Sure. Think of it as a welcome to the office." He winked.

I blushed and bit my lip to keep the smile from escaping.

"You two sure picked a heck of a day to come out," the older woman, whose name tag read Peggy, said handing over the cups.

"We just got finished at the office," Connor said, handing one of the hot cups to me.

Peggy looked at me suspiciously. "You look awful young for a business lady."

"I'm an intern still in college for a few more years."

She got a wide smile on her face and laughed a deep, hearty laugh.

"Thanks." Connor waved as we headed out the door. "Now we go to my car."

"That's some place."

"I go there all the time. Peg is one happy woman."

"That is an understatement," I said.

We walked shoulder to shoulder the intense heat coming off our bodies warming us as we headed along. I didn't even notice that the streets were practically deserted. A smile was plastered to my face. My cheeks were actually sore from smiling so much. Connor led me to a small parking lot halfway across the city. My feet, legs and hands were numb by the time we reached his car. I almost wished I had caught the bus. Hell, I'd be half way to my own car by now. Of course, I wasn't going to be assaulted by awful odors, smashed by other people's large bodies, and the company was vastly different. My fingers were crossed that his personality matched his devastatingly good looks.