Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
HIM — BEFORE
The first time is easy. I walk away from her table after replacing her drink, leaving enough of an impression to be unforgettable without being desperate.
The next day, I’m back. This time I don’t need to bump into her table or try any other trick to catch her attention. This time I have it right away.
The second I walk in the door, I find her. To my pleasant surprise, she’s already watching me. I smile and wave. Casual. Cool. Unaffected.
Without lifting her elbow from the table, she waves back. Just her fingers. Her lips curve upward with a small smile.
I cross the coffee shop, zigzagging through the long line on my way to her. “Fancy seeing you here,” I tease.
“I’m here every day.”
“Is that so?”
She tilts her cup toward me. “We work here, so we get everything for half off.” Her eyes narrow at me, crinkling near the corners endearingly. “Funny thing is, I don’t know that I’ve ever seen you in here until yesterday. You don’t exactly fit the vibe.” She gestures around.
I grin. “Yeah, I just happened to be in the neighborhood yesterday. Lucky me.”
Her dark brow quirks. “Lucky, hmm?”
“That I’ve made a new friend who can give me discounted coffee.”
It takes her a second to process what I’ve said, but once she has, she purses her lips with a quick shake of her head. “You’re going to be trouble, aren’t you?”
“Only if I’m lucky.” I place my hand on the table, waiting to see if she’ll send me away. “Where are your friends, by the way?”
She points across the room, toward the counter. “Mei is working, and Ava had an early class.”
“Class? Oh, you’re students?” I ask, feigning surprise.
She nods slowly. “Yeah. Are…you? I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere.” I can’t tell if she’s testing me to see if I’ll lie, but I will. I have to. It’s not time yet.
“No, no. Not a student.”
Not technically a lie. I’m proud of myself.
“Can I ask you something?”
She smiles, glancing down. “You just did.”
“Can I ask you something else?”
One shoulder rises with a shrug. “I don’t see why not.”
“Would you like to go out with me? Tonight?”
Her eyes dance between mine as I hold my breath, trying to read the rejection or acceptance before it comes. “Well, look at that. Guess you’re lucky after all.”