Dancing on My Own

No Strings

Alec sat at the counter of his bakery chewing his lip slightly, lines forming on his forehead as he debated his options. Does he pick up his phone and text Magnus the work details or does he turn the offer down. He tensed very briefly when Maryse came out from behind him touching his back as she walked around the counter. "Keep frowning like that and you'll wrinkle dear." He looked at her his lips quirking up slightly because Magnus basically told him the same thing. She set the tray down to tilt his chin up when he looked down again still chewing his lip. "Alec whatever is troubling you, whoever is troubling you, isn't worth your stress. You've always been the one in the family to go with your gut so listen to it." She glances down when she sees the business card laying in front of him and she clicked her tongue. "He is very handsome. Is that what's bothering you? The fact there's a man in your life now?" He rolled his eyes at her stuffing the business card back into his pocket. "First of all I don't have a man in my life. Secondly it isn't him personally it is just what he has to offer. I like my work here. My hours, my menu, my property but what he could give me. The money. The things I could give Max..." he trailed off pinching the bridge of his nose right as she chuckled. "Darling what he has to offer professionally is great and fancy which is exciting I know however what you've built here, what we have built here, is more than fancy cars and money. It's a family business. This place is as much a home as my home is to you. Do what you feel is right but don't let his glamorous offer blind you from what is really important." She reaches over rubbing his forehead gently as she teased. "Also don't let him give you wrinkles." He smiles as she moves to put away what she had brought out from the kitchen. Drumming his fingers on counter briefly he grabbed his phone punching Magnus number in sending him a short text. "Let's talk." He stuffed his phone into his pocket before moving to clean off some tables hoping Magnus would answer soon.

Magnus was tapping his pen on the edge of his desk staring at the menu for the next event he has sighing loudly because all he needs is his desert section completed. The ping of his phone going off caught his attention and he set his pen down smiling softly when he noticed Alec's name lighting up his screen. He quickly typed out the reply "ok let's talk. Meet me in 10 for coffee." After sending the reply he stood making sure to pack his menu folder and he checked his watch before slipping on his coat heading out a smile on his face.  Upon arriving to the coffee shop Magnus smirked seeing Alec already sitting with two coffees in front of him. Magnus ran the tip of his tongue across his bottom lip walking towards Alec extending his hand out to brush Alec's back as he moved to sit. "This coffee for me? You really shouldn't have Alec." He sat as Alec glanced up rolling his eyes slightly as he leaned forward sliding a piece of paper across the table. "That's the best I can do Magnus take it or leave it." Magnus raised his eye brow grabbing the paper to read before pausing half way through. "You're serious? You'll do the event with me? Alec name a price and it's yours."  Alec shook his head holding his hand up "no money Magnus, no gifts for my son, and no I owe you promises. I'll do the event because I like baking otherwise I wouldn't have opened my place. The only thing I ask is that you go to dinner with me. You, me, no strings attached. We see where it goes but that's the best I can do."  He bit his lip furrowing his eyebrows waiting for Magnus to decide . He went to open his mouth to say something because of the silence when he felt a thumb gently smooth out the wrinkles. "You really need to stop making that face Alexander you'll get wrinkles." Alec softly chuckled looking up and Magnus smiled at him. "You've got yourself a deal. Dinner. No strings and one desert menu." Magnus lowered his hand lifting up his coffee making a toast like gesture to Alec before taking a sip.