ENIGMA

4. Pumpkin Pie

Note: Haven't proofread up to here, sorry!

I walked down the street, on my way to work. The events of last night never leaving my mind, not for a single second.

It was wrong, there's no way I could do that again. Clear-headed, I realized how inappropriate it was.

I had broken a few of my rules for being a cam girl, I enacted them to help me set boundaries and for a masked entity, they rules were thrown out my window along with my morality, common sense and all of the above. Regardless, my curiosity peaked, what if I see him again?

Pushing my intrusive thoughts aside, I walk into the diner, greeted by the warmth and smell of pancakes and coffee. I pull my black coat off and fix my apron before clocking in. It was 7p, and it was only myself and David, the cook as well as the sweetest family man i've ever met. The begging of a graveyard shift...fun.

The diner was relatively empty, so I used the time to do some cleaning.

The diner bell rings, "I'll be with you in a second!" I call out as I finished wiping down the last table, I put the dishes in the sink before I rushed over to the customer with my notepad in my hand.

"Welcome, what can I get started for yo-" I called out, I looked up from my pad and it was him.

A smile crept as I was greeted by his own smile. Excitement rose inside of me, I can tell him I figured out his riddle.

"You're back."

"I told you i'd be" The stranger grins before setting his book and coat down and getting comfortable at the counter seat. He's wearing a dark long sleeve covered by a black and gray flannel, his hair as messy as the last time, but I loved liked it.

"What can I get for you?" I remind myself, i'm still on the job.

"Coffee, a slice of pumpkin pie and and answer, please" he looks at me, the grin never leaving his lips

Looking back at him, I lean in slightly on the counter, "Your name."

It's not until now I realize he smells good, like laundry, it's subtle but somehow comforting. Waiting for his response, I never break eye contact. I noticed the change in temperature from outside to in here made his glasses fog slightly, it was adorable.

"Edward." he whispers, analyzing me, waiting for a reaction of my own

"Edward" It was classy, as I predicted but it was perfect, "It's nice to meet you Edward"

I felt good, it was a simple riddle but I was right, and I finally got to know his name. I walk away, the stupid smile never leaving my face. He was a stranger and he was able to make me feel like a middle school kid around her crush, it was gross.
Getting his order, I return placing the plates in front of him, but was surprised to see him push the plate back towards me.

"For you, you like pumpkin pie don't you?" He watches me

"How'd you know?"

He hesitates.

"Everyone likes pumpkin pie" He laughs

"Maybe...I do like it but I'm on the clock" I frown

"The diner is basically empty, join me, for a little" He insists, and it doesn't take much pleading for me to smile and join him in the seat beside him, picking up the fork, I pick at the pie.

"Only for a bit, I'll get in trouble" Biting into the piece on the fork

He turns to me, leaning on his hand against the counter, "I'll take full responsibility" he grins sipping into his coffee.

"You're troubling Edward, making me slack off at work, making me solve a riddle just to know you're name" I tease

At the lack of response, I look at him, his eyes are watching me, looking at me, analyzing me. Being looked at in that way, it's making my cheeks flush

"Truthfully, I did that because I wanted to see you again and I just needed an excuse"

My breathe caught in my throat and I feel my heartbeat pick up, I hesitate

"I'm sorry? Was that too much? I didn't mean to make you uncomfo-" He trails off, rambling, I smile and watch him stumble over his words, it's cute.

"No! No, it's fine, I'm glad you decided to come back" I laugh, trying to ease his tension, he relaxes.

It wasn't until I heard the diner bell ring, signaling a customer, that I realized we had been talking for almost an hour.

He was beyond sweet, we had talked about films and books, hobbies and interests— he kept going on and on about this project he has that due soon. I had learned that when he was deep in thought he had the habit of furrowing his brows and playing with his hair, either tugging the strands that fell at his forehead or pushed his hair back altogether. The way he pushes his glasses up from the bottom do the frame when they started to slip.

It was inappropriate of me to acknowledge these little things but I couldn't help it. I always did think of myself as analytical.

Snapped back to reality from our little bubble, I quickly stand up and walk behind the counter, getting my notepad

"Listen, I'll get out of your hair, it was really nice talking to you" Edward says reaching for his wallet, "I hope it's not too forward to ask, but I just really liked talking to you, do you want to hang out sometime? We can grab a bite or maybe watch some of the films you were talking about" He slurred, fidgeting with his wallet, he was nervous...

"I'm off in an hour."

Why did I say that, he probably thinks i'm a weirdo.

Surprised at the sudden response, he smiles and helps ease the awkward tension, "Perfect. Go do your job" he laughs, "I'll wait for you over here"

I watch him walk over to a booth and opens up his book, he looks handsom— the customer, shit. I rush over to them apologizing for the delayed help.