My Unexpected Desires at Work

I've been working as a barista for about six months now and have always found the interactions with customers to be pretty standard. Lately, though, I've noticed something odd in my thoughts, especially when dealing with certain older male patrons who seem almost paternal or authoritative in their demeanor. It's not that they are intimidating; quite the opposite actually, they're often very kind and helpful, like a father figure would be to his children. The more these men treat me with gentle guidance and respect, the more I find myself responding in ways that feel out of character for my professional self. I start smiling wider, offering them more personal attention than others, and there’s this lingering desire to impress them or just bask in their approval. It's not romantic, I’m sure they see me as nothing more than a young employee, but the dynamic feels strangely comforting and empowering in its own way. There's something about being around these gentlemen that brings out a side of me I hadn't realized existed until now, a part that seeks guidance and reassurance from someone who embodies authority but with warmth and care.