“Because I think you’re really sweet and cute and I can’t stop thinking about you. Do I need another reason?” She shrugged.
“Wait. ‘Cute’?!” A crease formed between his brows. “No. But you…y-you saw my face. You saw what’s under the mask.”
“I did, yeah.”
“And you still think—?”
“I couldn’tstopthinking about that day—when you finally started talking to me and we were so rudely interrupted.” She gave him a serious look. “Is it a problem if I want to get to know you? You don’t have a girlfriend or anything, do you?”
He barked a sardonic laugh and then coughed. “Uh—no. No, I definitely don’t.”
“Well then, are you interested in me?”
“God yes,” he whispered, his voice so low she almost didn’t hear him.
“Then why is this so shocking?”
Theo drew in a deep breath and blew it out, running his free hand along the back of his neck beneath the hoodie. The mask puffed over his cheeks, and she bit her lip again to hide a smile.
“How can you just be so…” he muttered to himself before shaking his head. “Audrey, I, uh…I don’t get out much these days, you know. You already saw one of the few places I go. And…you already saw why.” The red in his face deepened and he looked away from her again.
“That’s all right. I don’t get out a lot either. It’s pretty much here and school and home.”
“Are—are yousure?” He seemed wholly uncertain if what was happening to him was real.
“Yeah. I like you.” She beamed at him and his eye grew even wider.
“You do? Just like that? Even with—withthis?” He pointed nervously to his right cheek.
“Yeah. I do.” She tightened her fingers around his palm. “It’s just a scar, Theo. We all have them.”
“No.” He shook his head. “Not many people have them like I do.”
He’d murmured that last part while he searched her face, almost as if he thought she might be lying. Panic briefly flashed across what little of his expression she could see, but when she didn’t contradict herself or withdraw, he seemed to realize she was serious.
And he calmed.
“Okay.” Theo stared down at their hands. “Okay. I’d…I’d like that, if you have some time to spend. I have—well, I have plenty of time these days, if I’m being honest.”
“Great. I’m glad we’re in agreement.” She withdrew her hand and took another sip of her flat white. “Let me ask you something: Do you ever drink the coffee we make for you?”
“Of course I do.” He looked at her like she was crazy. “Why wouldn’t I? It’s great coffee. Yours is particularly good.”
“Do you drink it cold?”
He shook his head. “I try not to. It’s usually cooled down a lot by the time I drink it, but it’s warm enough. I put it in an insulatedmug when I leave and take it home with me.” He pointed to the worn leather satchel he carried. “I keep one in there.”
“You do know we can make coffee directly in your own mug, right?” Audrey gave him a wry smile. “Josh and I implemented a sustainable cup policy a while back. And that will keep it hotter for you.” She leaned across the table and gave him another stern look. “It’s better when it’s fresh.”
He chuckled under the mask and then winced. “Fair point. And no, I didn’t know about the cup policy. That’s cool.” He bent and rummaged around in his bag, eventually emerging with a fancy black-and-silver insulated coffee tumbler. He pulled the top off the coffee she’d made him and poured it inside before screwing the tumbler lid on tightly. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Audrey checked her phone. Her break was over. “All right, Theo, I’ve got to get back behind the counter, but you’re going to text me, right?” She pointed at his phone. “You put me in your contacts yesterday like I told you to, yes?”
“I didn’t, but I will. I promise I’ll text you tonight.” He hesitated for a moment before steeling himself, squaring his shoulders and sitting up straight in his chair for once. “You’ll get one from Theo Sullivan.”
Finally: a last name.
“Okay, Theo Sullivan.” She held out a hand and waited. “I’m Audrey Adams. It’s nice to finally, truly meet you.”
