Food Courting

Chapter 22: No Worry Beef Curry

It was ridiculous to think that Farron lived in a gym attached to a motorcycle showroom. Cora knew that, but she was still surprised to look at the three-story apartment complex and confirm that its primary function was not, in fact, for working out, nor for displaying two-wheeled death traps. If anything, Cora's own building, with its broken elevator, would provide better exercise and near-death experiences, but that was about the only difference between their living situations.

Farron's building was surprisingly close to Cora's, and it had only taken her a fifteen-minute bus ride, a quick five-minute panic break, and a ten-minute walk to get to. Their neighborhoods had similar vibes too: nowhere close to middle class, but not a crime scene you'd see every week on the evening news. Still, Cora didn't lower her guard. She knew she looked like an easy target, and her height coupled with her spindly limbs made her akin to a newborn giraffe, just one strong breeze from toppling over.

Much to Cora's relief, a familiar rumbling of an engine neared, and the small rider atop the approaching motorcycle probably wouldn't throw Cora against a wall and steal her belongings. Well, maybe not the second part, but Cora wouldn't say no to—

"Sorry I'm late!" Farron said as they rushed up to Cora, a grocery bag in one hand while they tugged off their helmet with the other. "I'd forgotten how crowded places are in the afternoon."

Cora shook her head and tried to smile, only to realize the expression was already on her face. "It's no problem. Thanks for readjusting your schedule for me."

When they initially agreed on a second date, they hadn't realized their days off would only coincide when the stars aligned—or rather, when the sun and moon aligned with the Earth. Since neither of them wanted to wait until the next full moon to meet, and Darlene was being extra stingy with the Cool Beans schedule, Farron worked their assistant manager magic to move their own shifts around instead.

"Of course. I would've worked a clopening shift if I had to." Farron nodded at the grocery bag in Cora's hand. "Did you have any problems getting anything?"

Cora was too shocked over Farron's admission to hear their question at first. "Huh? Oh, no! Everything was fine. But...working back-to-back closing and opening shifts? You don't have to go that far."

Farron chuckled. "If it means I get to spend more time with you, I'd be happy to." They tucked their helmet under their occupied arm before holding their newly freed hand to Cora. "Shall we?"

If Cora hadn't been internally screaming already, that would've done the trick. She must've looked ridiculous, judging by how much her cheeks hurt from her wide grin, but she didn't care as she accepted Farron's hand and followed their lead to the elevator. She didn't bother to mention that she was fine with taking the stairs. After all, of the two methods of transit, one was clearly more conducive to hand-holding.

It had only been five days since their last date, but Cora was still a combustible combination of excitement and nerves. Sure, they had hung out during their lunch breaks since then, but this time, it was just going to be the two of them. In private. In Farron's apartment. Cora was surprised she wasn't shaking—or maybe she was, but Farron was absorbing the tremors with their solid, toned arms.

"By the way, I'm she, her today," Farron said once they were in the elevator.

"O-okay!" Cora said, her voice clearly shaking. Were her palms clammy too? Was she sweating through her clothes? Did she remember to wear deodorant?

"Hey." Farron bumped Cora's arm with her own, and the warm pressure snapped Cora out of her thoughts. "I'm glad you're here."

Farron's husky whisper, coupled with her gentle smile and soft hands, was enough to send Cora into a mental frenzy again.