If Not for the Mystery Book

007

     It had been a few weeks since Sasha had gone to Grace's with Anthony. They had visited here and there at the café, and she almost thought he looked... happy when he saw her. She had probably imagined it. She was currently standing in line at a small bistro not far from her work. Before she knew what she was doing, she had connected Anthony and the food together. She pulled out her phone, sending him a text.

Sasha 1:27 pm

     -Are you at work?

Anthony 1:32 pm

     -Yeah, I just got on break.

Sasha 1:32 pm

     -Perfect! How long do you have?

Anthony 1:33 pm

     -About an hour.

Sasha 1:34 pm

     -Chicken or vegan?

Anthony 1:36 pm

     -What?

Sasha 1:37 pm
 

   -Just pick one and you'll see.

Anthony 1:38 pm
 

   -Chicken?

Sasha 1:39 pm
 

   -Alright! Don't move an inch!

     He had answered at the perfect time. Sasha quickly ordered some food for both herself and Anthony before heading over to the bookstore. Winter had come early this year, and snow covered the ground like a frost bitten blanket. She tugged at her scarf more than once on her way over, fingers frozen since she always forgot to get gloves. She made it in one, slightly frozen, piece, entering the warm building with a smile. She loved winter, but she could use slightly warmer weather.

     She walked farther into the store, looking around for the familiar face. She found him within a few minutes, helping a small, red-headed customer get something from a high shelf. Once he was finished and the customer had gone their way, she silently walked up behind him. She tapped him on the shoulder, causing him to turn around. His face immediately lit up in a smile. She smiled in return, offering a small wave.

     "Hi!" he said. "What are you s-stopping by for?"

     "I brought you something," she replied, lifting up the bag with their food so he could see it. He laughed lightly, a sound she liked far more than she should.

     "So is this what y-your question was for?" he asked, guiding her out of the aisle and toward a wooden door.

     "Perhaps," she said in a light tone, following him into a back room. The room had a few small tables, a couch, and a TV. She assumed it was the break room.

     "W-why don't we sit here," he suggested, pulling a chair out from under a table. She joined him on the opposite side, setting the bag of food on the tabletop.

     "So I got you a chicken sandwich with avacado on the side, since I wasn't sure whether or not you liked avacado," she said, pulling the plastic boxes out of the bag. She slid his sandwich over to him, then pulled out her own.

     "Th-thank you," he said. She could feel him watching her every move. "You really didn't h-have to," he added, though his tone of voice still sounded grateful.

     "It was no problem, really," she said. He probably thought she was some creep, just randomly visiting him at work with food, but she didn't regret it. She enjoyed spending time with him.

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     "S-so when are you going to show me your comic?" Anthony asked. It was about half an hour into their conversation, which was punctuated with some eating here and there.

     Sasha thought for a while, genuinely considering the question. She eventually looked at him for a moment, thinking over her decision. She pulled out a piece of paper and a pen, quickly writing her address down. She handed it to him, and he stared at it curiously.

     "I get off work at seven tonight. Come by anytime after that and I'll show you," she said simply. She would probably regret this later.

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