Spencer: Fine! No complaining.
Alex:Maybe… don’t try to kill us!!
Jules: What he said!!!
When I finally plopped my ass down on the stool behind the counter a few days later, taking a breather, I tried to think about what I was going to make for this dinner. Listen, I like the idea of cooking, but I’m just not good at the coordination of it all. I mean, me having to cook multiple things at once has disaster written all over it. I can feel my anxiety build, so it’s probably best I just ignore the dilemma for now.It’s a very grown-up thing to do, right?
We have been surprisingly busy, considering the weather today. It’s cold and dreary out, calling for rain later. Every time I look outside, I want to take a nap. I have a love-hate relationship with spring. The temps can still be rather cool and its always fucking wet outside. It’s not doing my motivation any favors. At least the steady flow of customers earlier helped make the time go faster.
The weekend lunch rush is more spread out compared to Monday thru Friday, with customers who come in on their lunch breaks. Trying to anticipate the rush on the weekends is like finding a needle in a haystack.
People stop by as they make a day out of shopping. I want Dragonfly Book Cafe to be the place where people stop to get lunch or meet with their book club to discuss this month’s book over soups and sandwiches. A more low key place for friends to gather. Don’t get me wrong, I love Leo’s, but sometimes people just need something that’s less… loud.
My stomach has been a jumbly mess of anticipation for the last couple of days. I’m waiting to see if they accept my offer on the building and Pops told me we should hear sometime today.Fuck, I’m terrified.I don’t plan on letting anyone know that, but fuck, do I even know what I’m doing? In theory, the concept sounds amazing, but is it the same in reality?
Alice took her lunch break and went down to the quilt shop while I should probably work on inventory, but inventory sucks and takes forever with this new system, plus I’m more book-y, not tech-y.
The bell over the door jingles, and I look up, expecting to see Mr. Jacobson. He is supposed to be coming in to pick up his reserved copy of The Art of Bird Watching, but that… is definitely not Mr. Jacobson.
My heart skips a beat, and I fight the corny smile trying to take over my face. My stomach swoops at the sight of Finn, who is walking towards me. I hurry my hand through my hair, willing it in place, and stand.My foot catches on the stool, because of course it does. But I do manage to right myself without falling to the floor.Yay! Win for me!
“Hey!” I say, in a tone I hope comes across as being chill. Finn is so hot and the fact that he talks to me, let alone wants to do sexy things with me, blows my mind.
“Hi, How's your day? Are you busy? I can come back if….”
“No, not busy,” I say, cutting in. “The lunch rush just ended, so your timing is good.”
We’ve messaged back and forth a few times over the last couple of days. He texted me when he saw an infomercial for a cat head massager, wanting to know if Gallifrey would like it. I told him I could see Gallifrey sitting on a kitty throne while Finn massaged his head and I fed him kitty treats. He also must have watched a few Doctor Who episodes, because he texted me saying Daleks are stupid. And I reprimanded him for putting that out in the universe.
“It's nice in here. Warm and cozy. It makes me want to grab a book.”
I move around the counter and gesture around the bookstore. “We have a lot to choose from.”
“It looks that way. Would you happen to have any How To books?”
“Why, yes, we do! We have all kinds. Let’s see, there’s How To Teach Your Dog Quantum Physics, How To Train a Goldfish, umm, How To Catch A Yeti, because who doesn’t love a Yeti, oh and How To Live With a Huge Penis.”
Finn’s eyes widen, and his whole body shakes with laughter.
“Do you have that in paperback or HARDcopy?” he says. I snort, trying to hold back the laughter and end up failing miserably.I don’t think I could have played that any better. I have tears streaming down my cheeks and my side hurts before we both pull it together.
Finn wipes away a stray tear from my cheek.
He always seems to be wiping away my tears. He must think I’m a mess.
And for someone who wears makeup, having leaky eyes is like trying to paint the shutters in a rainstorm. Waterproof can only do so much.
“I was wondering if I could invite you over for dinner tonight?” Finn asks.
“Tonight? Well, I close at eight. But if that’s not too late, then I’d love to.”
Finn wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me in. A surprised gasp leaves me, then an almost moan at the feel of his body pressed against mine.
“That sounds perfect,” he says as he nips at my bottom lip.
“Fuck Me.”
A small chuckle escapes Finn.
