Before I Met You

Chapter 14

I managed to find my way to the cafe pretty easily without getting lost and asking for directions. Last time I asked a woman, she brushed me off and told me to find the way by myself.

They weren't so crowded this time so when I walked in, Danny's face softened and he immediately began walking in my direction, stuffing his notepad and pen in his side pocket.  I looked at him for a couple of beats before noticing he had shaved his little beard and mustache.

He looked way younger. I arched an eyebrow and put my hands on my hips.
"I'm guessing you have a date tonight?" I joked.
He copied my move and rested his hands on his hips too. "We didn't plan any dates as far as I'm concerned."
I giggled.

He brushed his hands on his apron. "I'm glad you came early enough before the evening. It gets pretty crowded around her when the evening comes."
"Yeah, I know. Oh, sorry I was still asleep when you stopped by," I said. "No, it's fine. I did kinda stop by really early so I wouldn't be late for my shift.."

I was about to say something else before one of his friends walked out of the kitchen and noticed us. One didn't realize, so he tapped his shoulder, looked up, and his mouth fell open with a small grin. Danny followed my gaze and turned around. He nervously chuckled. One of them whistled and said my name.
"I may or may not have told them about you."

A smile grew on my face. I hope I wasn't blushing. I don't think anyone has ever talked to someone about me. Positively, at least.
"It's fine," I said, trying not to make it sound like it was a big deal. But the voices in my head were screaming.

"I've never.. Had a girlfriend or at least a girl that I'm talking to stop by so they're pretty surprised. My apologies if they're being weird."
I looked over back at them to see them still looking at us.
Do you want to go to the back to get some privacy," he asked. I smiled and nodded and he led the way, grabbing my hand.

"Can you guys take over for me? I won't be long." he continued to walk and then stopped. "And Ollie? Do me a favor and stay behind the counter? We don't need you being clumsy."

Ollie nodded. He looked like he was young, about 17 years old, plus his right shoe was untied.
Danny took me to the "employees only" room that had a few desks, laptops, lockers, and a sign that read,"snack". There were posters of bands and cartoons all over the walls and it smelled like smoke. You could just tell that it was all men who ran the cafe.

"I didn't know you smoked," I said to him, sitting down at a desk. The cushion was so soft my whole body sinked into it. He shook his head. "Jays the one who does all that stuff. Sorry if it's strong," he said, grabbing the spray and spraying the room. "I've been trying to get him to stop doing that stuff in here."

"Oh, no it's fine," I said, twisting and rocking back and forth. "I grew up with a dad who would do it all the time. I guess I'm used to it."
Danny nodded. I started playing with a bobble head on the desk and laughed.
"That's Jay's desk too."

"Oh," I said immediately, standing up. "I'm sorry."
He chuckled at the look on my face. "It's fine." He pointed to the snacks. "Do you want anything?"

I shook my head. "I don't have any money." He smiled. "Well it's your lucky day because they're free." He then picked up a bag of oreos and tossed them to me, and grabbed a bag of popcorn for himself. I caught it with one hand. "Thanks."
"No problem," he said, pulling a roller chair and sitting in  front of me.
I looked at everything except for his eyes because every time I do, my heart beats a little faster and it feels like a big drum is inside my body.

"So... um did Leona tell you why you're here?"
I slowly nodded. "Yeah she did. Sorry we have to talk about it last minute. It's just that I don't know what happens next."