Prompt: "The barista at the coffee cart is determined (and a bit obsessed with) to make Callie notice her. Little does she know Arizona sees all."
There's quite a line behind Callie at the coffee cart outside the hospital. There's always caffeinated mud in the hospital but no one wants to go for that. Everyone impatiently huffs and sighs as Dr. Torres takes her sweet time deciding what she wants.
"Okay! I need an extra large caramel macchiato with two shots of espresso and a pumpkin scone."
Everyone smiles in relief that she's done until...
"Oh wait! Not pumpkin... Let me see." She has to restart the search because Arizona simply hates pumpkin anything!
The model-esque barista behind the counter takes this opportunity to finally say something charming to his favorite surgeon.
"If you don't mind maybe I can recommend something."
Kind of lost in her own thought Callie mumbles a 'yes' and keeps browsing the case full of pastries.
"I find that the prettiest women love raspberry scones. So... Maybe you'll enjoy them too." Callie's head shot up once his words actually registered. Was he coming on to her? Did all the hospital drama really not make it out the doors? Surely he knew she was married. To a woman. With a kid!
"Ummm... Okay. Let me get one of those," she says with a laugh. In a few moments she was served and rung up and on her way. Unfortunately, the barista mistook her laughing at him as girlish joy. He was seriously overestimating his skills, and assumed he had an actual chance.
Xxx
The next day Callie was back but someone else was at the register. It was with embarrassing zeal that the normal guy pushed the cashier out the way.
"Hey there Dr..." he looked down to read the name tag on Callie's lab coat. "Dr. Torres. How was your scone," he asked with a big smile. Again Callie politely laughed off his advances and ordered her usual. Though she was busy on her phone the barista did his darnedest to flirt some more.
"Your hair looks great today. You look great today," he stammered on. All he got in return was a spiked brow and an unimpressed glance from the Latina.
"I'm Brad by the way."
For the sake of not crushing his dreams Callie put her phone away and feigned a smile. "Thank you Brad," she said as she took her coffee. Once she walked away he shouted goodbye to her back and practically fell over the counter trying to follow her hips with his eyes.
Xxx
The following day Brad had a plan. Dr. Torres's usual was waiting when she got there and so was a finely picked rose. When she arrived he handed her both.
"There's imported French vanilla creme in there today. It's on me though, no extra charge." Callie quirked her head to the side and eyed the young guy curiously. He was really laying it on thick. She released a heavy breath in preparation for the let down.
"Look Brad... You're a super sweet guy, but I'm married. Okay?" Callie tried to look sympathetic but she still had the urge to chuckle.
Brad furled his brow for a sec. He thought about it briefly and then came to a conclusion: he didn't care.
"Well who's your husband? I'll get rid of him," he said half-jokingly.
Now Callie couldn't stop herself from doubling over with laughter. The image she got was pure comedy. Arizona as her husband, and poor Brad trying to go toe-to-toe with her army brat wife- just comical! Callie placed a hand on her chest because she was laughing so hard it hurt. "Do us both a favor and let it go, Brad."
The coffee cart employee nodded pitifully and Callie headed back to work. Still, his resolve was not yet broken.
Xxx
"Brad?" Callie looked more confused than ever as she noticed the barista walking towards her inside the hospital. He approached with her morning drink and a dozen roses this time.
Callie's head shot back and forth as she scoped her surroundings. She was nervous that his presence might cause a scene.
"Are you loco or just plain dumb," the Latina sasses as she grabbed the drink and left the flowers.
"Mad about you."
"What the? Okay… come here," she demanded as she yanked him into a conference room. Quickly she locked the door and shut the blinds. "This isn't healthy, okay Brad!?" In his silence Callie shot a fiercely raised brow his way to encourage his compliance.
"I just think you underestimate me, that's all. I'm more than the guy at the coffee cart you know. I'm training to be a midwife." Brad had taken on a solemn look of defeat.
Great. Now he was dropping the self-pity bomb. The surgeon hung her head in distress. After a heavy sigh she looked back up at the embarrassed guy and tried to impart some wisdom.
"I'm sure you're a great guy Brad, but when a girl says no, that means NO."
The young man just nodded timidly, as per usual. With nothing more to say, Callie sent him on his way with a smile and a firm pat on the back.
As Brad stepped out the room and took a few steps down the hall, a blonde-haired woman stepped up beside him and matched his pace. She gave him a dimpled smile and offered her hand.
"Dr. Arizona Robbins. And you are," she asked once he accepted the shake.
"Bradley Seinfeld..." he replied slowly and quizzically. He decided just then that coming in the hospital was a serious mistake.
"I hear you have a thing for Dr. Torres," Arizona proposed cheerily. Her innocent half-smirk got Brad to smile and admit to the charges.
"She's pretty awesome, I know," she added as they continued the stroll.
"Oh. Are you friends with her and her husband?" Brad asked. He thought maybe a close pal like Arizona could extend a lofty recommendation on his behalf.
"Ha... No. I'm her wife," she giggled. She looked up at the man and those blue eyes were seeing right thru Brad; or at least that's how he felt. All of the sudden he was visibly sick.
"I know, I know. She's gorgeous and funny and hot." Arizona leaned in and spoke out the corner of her mouth to be discrete, "I mean really hot."
The barista opened his mouth to explain but had little luck. "I uh... I didn't know... Well I knew but... I didn't mean any-"
Arizona stopped him with a firm hand on his chest just above his nametag. They stopped walking just outside the doors and the surgeon stepped in front of him. There was an extra bit of swagger in every move.
"Here's how this goes Brad. Flirting's no big deal. Flirt away... No offense, but I'm not really worried seeing as how you're not a lady."
Brad just listened nervously with fearful doe eyes. Happy with his attentiveness Arizona continued.
"But! The flowers, the fancy coffee, the stalking- No no no no. That..." she fixed him with a serious glare, "...has got to stop. Because seriously I have a very short temper and easy access to a weapon; my leg's heavy and detachable."
Brad was beyond dumbfounded with the woman's threat. He stood there stiff as board with sweat pooling in unpleasant places. He didn't know if he should run, or hide, or disintegrate. Arizona decided for him…
"Well if we understand each other, you have a nice day Bradley." Without waiting for his response Arizona patted his chest reassuringly and walked off, all the swagger still intact.
The next week Brad got a new job.