"Would anyone like some coffee?" Merrin held up the coffee pot in front of a group of six people. One of them was Joey. She noticed that Joey was staring, but she didn't look at him.
"I would." Joey said then smiled while handing her his cup. She poured some black coffee into the glass cup.
"Anyone else?" She asked looking around the group. No one spoke up so she walked away.
She went into the back room, where everyone goes to be alone for a few seconds. There were shelves stacked with cans of food. The ceiling was peeling from the top right corner in the back of the room, but the light gray paint on the walls were perfectly fine. She rubbed the back of her head, then walked back out to get behind the counter. Merrin picked up the coffee pot and asked the people at the counter if they'd want more coffee, or if they'd like something else. Joey was sitting at the counter, too.
"You live across the hall from me, right?" Joey asks.
She nodded and turned around to return the coffee pot.
"I never caught your name." He added with a smile. She knew he was smiling. His voice totally screamed that he was smiling.
"Merrin." She spoke softly while turning towards him. She was right, he was smiling.
"Merrin.. Lovely name." He said lightly, though his voice was vaguely deep. He continued, "Listen, I know we just met and all, but.. would it be okay if-" Merrin's thoughts, suddenly intrusive, blocked out the rest.
"Oh no! He's gonna ask me out... What do I say? I can't do this. I've never even been on a date before. I always ruin things." She started thinking.
"Hey, Merrin." He waved his hand in front of her face. "Are you okay?" He asked after he finished talking.
She shook slightly, then looked at him. "I'm fine." A small smile appeared, then quickly went away. "What were you saying?" She rubbed her forehead.
He chuckled. The way he smiled made her heart beat faster. "I know we just met, but I was wondering if it'd be okay if I took you to a party. My friend is hosting it for another one of my friends. It's for her birthday." He looked at her expectedly for a response.
"Oh. I don't know. I mean, I don't know them.. and I barely know you." She said softly, not wanting to sound rude. "I'm not totally declining. But, I'm just not sure." She added while shrugging.
"You know where to find me when you have an answer. The party is tomorrow night," He said with a smile. Joey then got up to join the group of people in the back. After a few seconds, everyone looked over at her then smiled. She put a loose strand of hair behind her ear and then bit her lip while turning around to grab the coffee pot.
