Bridge Jumper Comes Back To Life For Help: The Century Curse

020

The chattering of the patrons lounging around the coffee shop overlapped one another. Clacking keyboards and tapping thumbs on phone screens could almost be crafted into an orchestra if directed properly. With so many individuals in one space, Ian was still chilled, the A/C unit was probably working overtime. Soft white light from the bulbs gave the shop a nice sunset feeling, appropriate for the time he and Hanna had arrived. It was getting late, and he was sure Citrus would be expecting him back if she wasn't buried neck deep in research again.

"Um, sir."

Scratching his brow, he still wasn't totally sure about the situation. Whether this was work related for the blonde beauty was still an unanswered question. Just off that alone, plus not wanting to be bombarded with questions again, he felt he should've just declined. But, at that very moment he said, "sure," he didn't have the confidence to give any other answer.

"Ian," a tap on his shoulder brought his thoughts back to the moment.

"Yes, ma'am?" He stiffed his stance as if he'd just been called on by a leader in the barracks.

"Your drink hun," he glanced over at the concerned looking barista. Stumbling forward, Ian latched onto the cup. And with a, "thank you," the two of them stepped outside the crowded room. Hanna pointed out some wooden picnic tables on the side of the building on their way in, deciding that'd be the best place to chat.

They both settled into their seats across from each other, Hanna blowing on the mouthpiece of her cup a few times before taking a sip. Immediately, she stuck out her tongue, a painful look on her face. "Bleh! Hot!"

Ian chuckled, nervously tapping on his own paper cup. The urge to make a comment hit him, but something pulled him away from starting the conversation. He couldn't was still worried about what this sudden invitation entailed, the catch to it all. It was clear that she'd ask him something eventually, the question eventually rolling into another, then another. Nevertheless, there was no escape, not now anyway, his nerves planting the bottoms of his shoes to the ground.

"Do you like it?" Hanna interrupted, her soft voice very different from the one he'd met her with at his sister's house. But, he was taken by surprise by the simple question. It wasn't an interrogative question, not in the sense he'd expected anyway. It was just a normal question, but he was sure that was just how it was going to start.

"Hmm? Like it? Um, I haven't tried it yet." He decided it best to play along for now. But he hadn't time to think about an escape plan and the next thing to say at the same time. His brain was fried already. "You know, you didn't have to pay for it. I could've gotten it myself."

She let out a laugh waving her hand dismissively, "I know that, but you can't let me take you to a coffee shop, let me pick your drink, and then pay for it yourself! If I'm going to experiment on anyone's taste buds, it won't be by their dollar."

Hanna's smile was pure white, not a stain in sight for someone who seemed to study a religion around coffee. Perhaps she'd had a few too many run-ins with an angry dentist for her making their job far harder than it had to be. And her smile, Ian found it contagious, even though he knew his teeth weren't nearly as perfect as hers, he couldn't help but shed a small grin.

"There it is!" She said, sipping her cup, holding it with both hands like a child. "I haven't seen you smile since you bragged about knowing about my last name."

"Bragged?" It was a reflex, his deflective shout anytime someone accused him of something he didn't believe, especially if it was something they thought about his person.

A chuckle from the woman followed. "Yes! Bragged! It's been a very long time since I've seen someone so excited to show off their knowledge!"

Ian didn't know how to interpret her comment. Should he be insulted, or flattered? Should he argue against her judgment, or accept it as praise? He wasn't even sure why he cared at that point, he was just trying to evade the situation was all... right?