Coffee Shop AU

Alana to the rescue

"Excuse me?" Alana asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. Connor held himself a little tighter. This is so awkward for him.

"I need... help. Please." he repeated. Alana scoffed.

"Since when do you need my help? Oh wait, let me guess; you've left another assignment until the last minute again?" she smirked, a strange look on her, and Connor decided she'd spent too much time with his sister.

"No. No, this is a... personal problem." how did he say this? He liked Alana, sure. She was a bit full-on, but she made Zoe happy, and therefore made Connor happy. She was also the only person he felt close enough to talk to without being yelled at.

"What is it?"

"I..."

"Yeah?"

Connor sighed, and ducked his head. They were sitting in the café on his off-day, and people-watching. It was strangely domestic. Connor hadn't done it before.

"I know... someone. And..."

"Connor,"

He looked up to see her staring back at him with dark eyes. They were a lot kinder than his sisters, but less demanding than his mothers. It was sad they were the only two other women he knew.

"I can't help if you don't let me." she told him. He bit his lip, and opened his mouth, to tell her never mind, to leave, to apologise, when the door opened.

Connor looked up, and his heart seemed to rise and fall at the same time.

Evan. The bane of Connor's workplace. With his perfect blond hair, and baggy shirts. He looked around for a bit before he found Jared, happily cleaning the workplace, and went to talk to him.

Connor felt his face heat up, and Alana made a small 'oh' noise.

"What, do you owe him money or something?" she asked, and Connor glared at her.

"Did you punch him?"

Connor ducked his head, his long hair falling over his eyes, and shook his head.

"No."

"Then what?"

"He's just..."

"What?"

"He's cute!" he almost yelled, then heard himself, and ducked his head again. Alana frowned at him.

"Well how was I supposed to know, i'm gay!"

"Yeah, so am I. Now can you help?"

Alana leaned back, seemingly contemplating. Connor waited for a moment, his stomach twisting around and around, before she perked up; eyes bright and smile wide.

"Oh, Conchobhar Murchadha, how you have fallen." she said, biting her lip in excitement. Connor blinked at her.

"Chon-... what?"

Alana sighed, like he was being thick on purpose. Connor hated that sound.

"It's the Irish version of 'Connor Murphy'. Your families Irish, aren't they?" she asked, leaning her head on her hand. Connor crossed his arms around himself.

"You told you that?" he asked, feeling his face heat up.

"Zoe."

"Ah. And what's that is Irish?"

"Zooey."

Connor laughed.