Darkstache - the coffee shop

Day Eight - Part One

Dark had been coming to the coffee shop regularly. He dropped by almost every morning to grab a drink, sometimes some breakfast, on the way to wherever it was that he was going to. Wilford served him every morning he was at work, preparing his coffee and chatting away until another customer arrived.

8:30 am, right on the dot, was when Dark wandered in everyday. Today was no different. He wore his suit and smiled as warmly as he could, greeting Wilford. The gesture didn't seem to fit his face quite right. It was as if he weren't used to it. Wilford liked the way it looked.

"Good morning." Wilford grinned. "The usual, I assume?"

"Please, Wil." He's taken to that nickname rather quickly. It made Wilfords face heat up and his palms sweaty.

As he brewed the drink, he stood behind the counter and mentally pumped himself up. He was going to ask Dark to hang out or go on a date or something today. That was the plan, anyway. He could do this. Dark was a nice guy, Wilford was a nice guy, what was the worst that could happen? Dark realising that he had weird feelings about him and never speaking to him again?

Yeah. That would suck.

Wilford had hope, though. He was sure that if Dark turned the offer down that he'd do so in a kind way and wouldn't hold it against him. Maybe he'd just laugh it off like it was a joke or something. The jolly man took a deep breath as he pressed the lid down on the takeaway cup, returning to the cash register. He waved Dark over, handing him the hot drink.

"So," Wilford began, "I was thinking."

"That's cant possibly be a good thing."

He laughed nervously. This was probably the worst idea he'd ever had. "I've got nothing to do after my shift today. I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me? I know a great bakery not far away – we could go for lunch and a movie or something."

Darks face dropped and he stared back in shock. "I'm busy at lunch. I have work to do." Wilford blushes and looked away, hot tears prickling the backs of his eyes. "But, dinner could work?"

Relief flooded the man's veins and he could feel the tension easing out of his shoulders as he chuckled loudly. "You got me there!"

Dark grinned. "So, how about it?"

"That sounds absolutely fantastic!"

Dark picked up a napkin and scribbled his phone number onto it lazily, handing it over. "Here's my mobile number. You text me the details before 4, I can pick you up anytime after 5." He stood for a minute before realising that Wilford was frozen in place and tucked the paper into the pocket on his apron and walkedout of the shop quickly.

"Wilford, stop making googly eyes at the guy and serve our customers!"

He practically slipped around the shop for the rest of the day, replaying the scene over and over in his mind, smiling to no one in particular. He made a list of things they could do that night that he'd sort out when he knocked off. He also made a list of potential outfits, trying to pick something that would be suitable for the activities. He giggled as he realised he'd scrawled little hearts all over a customers cardboard cup.

He was giddy.