I Like You Lots (Steddie)

Chapter 11

A/N; my last chapter seemed like not enough for one day so here we are.

TW; fluff af.

We didn't drive too far, but we went to a very loved diner in north Seattle called Beth's, for breakfast. "I've always come here by myself. I usually don't bring people with me." he smiles, and opens the door for me. "Doesn't look like it's a well kept secret."

"Only locals come here, no tourists usually." I follow him to sit at a table and a very smiley waitress comes to take our drink orders, "Coffee please. For both." Steve quickly requests before I can say anything. "And now ordering for me? Geez maybe I should just sit here and look pretty and not say a thing."

"I mean you're pretty cute, trophy boyfriend material." I shake my head. "I don't think I'd be able to shut up long enough to be even considered that." He laughs and grabs one of my hands. "I don't think you have to be quiet to be considered a trophy boyfriend. Just pretty enough."

"Have you looked in a mirror again, Harrington?" He shakes his head, laughing lowly, and the waitress comes back with our coffee, setting them next to us, glancing down at my hand wrapped in Steve's. She completely avoids eye contact with me and talks right to him. "What else can I get you?" I make a face, pushing my eyebrows together and Steve squeezes my hand gently as if sending some kind of quiet note to me to calm down. He could probably see I was starting to get irritated. "French toast stack, with-" he looks over at me "strawberry or blueberries, baby?"

"Oh uh, strawberries." He smiles and nods to the waitress. She sighs and writes it down on her note pad. "And 2 sides of eggs, scrambled please."

"That's it?" Her eyes move from her notepad to look directly at Steve again. Can she not? "Yep. That's it, right?" He motions at me, locking eyes with mine, and smiling softly. "Great, it'll be out in a few. Let me know if you-" she looks at me, up and down an fakes a smile "-need anything else." As she walks away I roll my eyes, annoyed. "I do not like her."

"Good me either." He shrugs. "How are you so nice to people you don't like?" I give him a puzzled look. I could never imagine having to be nice to people all day even if they were rude to me. My boss doesn't care if we kick someone out that doesn't need to be there. It's not like we need every single bit of business that comes in. "Customer service makes you dead inside." He chuckles and drinks some of his coffee. "Yeah but I'm in customer service and I can't even be nice to her."

"You don't have to. You work in a place where you're actually passionate about what you work with and what your selling. Us in the food service industry, not so much." I guess that makes sense. Our food gets dropped at our table, I smile politely saying thank you, and the waitress once again gives me a cold shoulder. Whatever. We share our breakfast, and drink probably 4 cups of coffee each, before leaving. When the waitress leaves the receipt for us to pay, for her tip, Steve leaves a note at the bottom;

A tip for you; you shouldn't hit on gay dudes. XX

He still left her a few dollars, but it was well below what she probably expected which makes me a little happier. Am I petty? Yes. Does him shutting her down bring me joy? Absolutely.

We go get back into the car. "Where to next?"

"I told you I'm not telling you. I'm not slipping up now!" I snap my fingers like one of those cartoon villains. "My plan's foiled."

We end up driving a little further into Seattle than I have been. Down into Madrona Park. It's right next to the water, and across you can see a very clear view of Bellevue. The surrounding neighborhood is full of beautiful old houses, all decorated for Halloween. It's really pretty here.