in the rain

four.

"you like him, don't you?" jean asks brett as they work their shift the next day.

"huh?"

"eddy."

"...why do you ask?"

"i don't know, dude. i've never seen you like that in front of someone. in front of anyone."

"and? doesn't make me like him. and besides, i've only known him a few days. that'd be ridiculous if i had feelings for him already," voice rising in pitch as he finishes.

"you guys literally had a date. i think you two are the ridiculous ones here."

"that was not a date. we had coffee."

"and you flirted the whole time. yeah, no, you guys were very much on a date."

"that was not flirting! that was casual conversation between two acquaintances."

"sure. and i like making out with this guy but us friends do that all the time," jean said sarcastically, so brett smiles at her sarcastically as well. jean laughs at his reaction.

"i'm curious."

"yeah?"

"why do you deny it?"

"deny what?"

"dude. that you like this guy."

"i don't!"

he does.

"see?" jean's point is proven and brett sighs.

"because. i just met him. liking him right now is way too soon."

"you know love in first sight exists, right?"

"in fiction, yes."

"brett."

"what?"

"this one seems different."

"i know, jean."

"you do know it's different. why are you holding back? there's no reason to."

"yeah. you're right. you're right," brett repeats, convinced when he says it for a second time.

"everybody say thank you jean, best friend of the year!" jean says out loud, cheery, to lighten the serious atmosphere. some of their customers look at them weirdly and brett chuckles.

"thanks, jean. you're the best."

"i know right," jean winks playfully.

"i take it back, then," brett jokes.

"hey!"

"nah, nah, just kidding."

"you can't survive without me, you know,” brett rolls his eyes, knowing she's right.

“so, moving on. you, eddy, what's the actual deal?"

"i don't know. we're getting to know each other."

"getting to know each other with heart eyes on the side, okay, got it," jean teases.

"oh. oh, no. do i stare a lot?"

"yeah… you have great timing, though. you always seem to know when he's about to look and you look away right in time."

"ah, yes. i am indeed gifted with poor eyesight and great intuition," jean laughs.

"so. getting to know each other?"

"yeah. we just talk, i guess. we text sometimes."

"oh, and he plays piano."