Late Thursday afternoon sees a girl in Wall Street running errands about. She met a client a lunch but has permeated in the neighbourhood until now. It's only natural that by now she craves a bagel, just the type from, conveniently close by, Petit Choses Café. Also known as the café Jake works in during weekends.
It's not like she's going there to see him, she knows fully well his schedule would not coincide with her visit, no, the last thing in her mind is the possibility of meeting him...
The glass door rattles with a bell as Theresa steps inside the coffee shop.
It's almost like bumping into each other is their trademark.
"Hello you," he replies with a smile as soon as Jake realises it's Theresa.
"Oh," she blushes silly at the sight of his unexpected person. "I – don't you only work weekends?"
"Yes, just came to collect what I essentially work here for." He waives a check in the air between them. "You came in for a coffee?"
"Um, a bagel actually. But I would never say no to this delicious smell."
"I'll grab us one then."
Not finding a reason to deny this, Theresa moves to sit by the windows.
Their 'coffee date' is quieter than either of them would predict. Cups empty and furtive looks at clocks, both stand to leave.
"Where are you off to now?"
"I'm actually headed to see Stephan, Jake."
"Oh. You planning on taking the tube? I'm headed to the flat too."
"Sure, we can get the one in Westfield."
The tube ride is another awkward atmosphere. Theresa wonders if he is catching up to the weirdness of hanging out with his friend's 'girl'. A shrill ring ruptures the tense air.
Theresa unwillingly extracts the black case from her bag. It's the veterinarian client again.
Jake can't help but question her discretion. Does she not want him to realise who she is talking to? He can only wonder if she is the cheating type. He hopes not.
"What happened to your other phone with the cute cover?" he questions her once she's done.
He's smart. Theresa realises he's never seen her work phone before, the shit. "Cracked the screen."
"I see." Curiosity seems to get the best of him as he assures himself the question is for his friend's sake, "Is everything alright with who you were talking to?"
"It was just a client." She's getting better at this, lies-by-omission.
His confounded face and half-opened lips in response are broken by the arrival at the platform.
YOU ARE READING
Emotional Outlets | ✓
ContoIn which a hooker falls in love with her client's roommate. snippet: "She'd wanted to slap him. Right across that goddamn handsome face. But then again, he is right. Isn't he? She is actually a whore. Isn't she?"
