"I'm taking my break," I call out to my coworker.

"Okay," he replies.

I start walking towards the exit of the bookstore, debating whether I should stop by the coffee shop again. It's the second time today, but this time, I'm not going for the coffee. It's my lunch but I'm not hungry, but I could go for something sweet and honestly, I just want to see her again—maybe even talk to her some more. Before I know it, I'm standing at the door of the coffee shop, which is just across the street.

I walk in and she greets me without looking up. "Welcome in."

I approach the counter, realizing I'll need to get her attention somehow. " Hello, Aurelia."

She looks up, surprised. It's the first time I've used her name, and I love the way it sounds as it rolls off my tongue. It hits me that she doesn't know my name yet. I want to hear her say it.

"Oh, hi, sir. You're back." She says her surprise making me smile.

"Yes, Aurelia, I'm back," I repeat, savoring the sound of her name again.

" what can I get for you then, sir?" She asks still calling me "sir." I realize I'm probably older than her, but I'd much rather hear her say my name.

"Please, call me Lucian." Is it weird to give her my name like this? I'm not sure. Nothing feels certain anymore.

"Okay, Lucian. Did you want another coffee, or are you looking for something else?"

I'm so captivated by her voice that I almost forget to respond. " I wanted to get some cakes or something like that, anything sweet really. Could you recommend something?" I ask, hoping to keep her talking.

"Oh yes! I love our chocolate croissants. The chocolate eclairs are delicious too, and the Kahlua Crème Caramel is so good. It's a French dessert. Sorry, I don't mean to ramble, but those three are my favorites."

This is the most we've ever spoken, and it makes me ridiculously happy. I hope I'm not smiling like an idiot. "They all sound great. I'll take two of the Kahlua Crème Caramel and a chocolate eclair, please."

"Alright, that'll be $15.00 exactly. Are you going to pay with card again?" She asks, remembering how I paid earlier today. Considering how many customers she must get, it feels special that she remembers. I tell myself to calm down— I'm getting carried away.

"Yes, I will"

"Okay, let me just go get that for you." She says before walking away.

I decide to sit down hoping she'll call my name now that she knows it. I zone out, staring out the window, until I sense someone in front of me.

"Here you go, sir. I called your name a couple of times, but you seemed pretty zoned out," she says. She looks so good I can't help but stare.

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"Oh, thank you. Sorry, I guess I was lost in thought."

"That's okay, enjoy."

I don't want her to leave just yet. On impulse, I grab her wrist. "Wait." What am I doing? Now what?

"Um yes?" She asks, her eyes fixed on me.

"Have you taken your break yet?"

"No, I haven't. Why?" Shit. What if she says no?

"Would you mind taking your break with me then?" I ask, avoiding her gaze.

"Oh," she says, staring at me for a moment. I feel stupid for even asking.

"Yeah, I can. Just give me a second—I'm gonna go grab my lunch, okay?"

My eyes widen in surprise as she agrees, and I realize I'm still holding her wrist. "Oh yeah okay. That's fine"

She smiles at me and walks away. A couple of minutes later, she's back and sits across from me. Her hair is now down, flowing over her shoulders. She opens a small box with food inside.

"You pack your lunch?" I ask.

"Oh yeah, I love cooking, so I always make my lunch. Plus, it saves me money you know?"

For some reason, I love that about her. Maybe one day she'll cook for me. I need to relax; she needs to get to know me first. Hopefully, she'll like me— even half as much as I already like her.

"Really? That's nice. I'm the complete opposite. I'm a disaster in the kitchen," I tell her.

She laughs and my chest swells with pride.

"Really? How come? You look so put together," she tells me.

"Oh, I'm organized if that's what you mean," I reply, confused.

She just giggles, the sound like music to my ears. I can't stop smiling. "No, I mean you look like you can do anything you put your mind to. You just give off that vibe."

"Oh, well, not cooking. That's one thing I definitely can't do." I admit sheepishly. Unable to hold back, I add, "Do you prefer a man who can cook?"

Why did I ask that?

She looks at me for a moment before replying, "Not really. I don't mind if he can cook or not since I can cook for us. I'm a pretty good cook if I may say so myself." She grins cheekily, making me smile again. I can't seem to stop smiling around her.

Remembering the two crème caramels I bought. I push one towards her. "Here you go."

She looks at me in surprise and confusion. "Is that for me?"

"Oh, yeah. I bought it to give you one. It's one of your favorites right?"

She gives me a genuine smile. "Thank you, Lucian. That's so sweet of you." I know I'm blushing now— I can feel the heat in my face. Feeling confident, I tell her, "Maybe one day I can try your cooking."

She replies excitedly, "Yes! I would love to. I don't have anyone to cook for, so that would be nice."

"Well, I work at the bookstore right across the street if you ever want to have lunch together again sometime," I say, hoping she's willing.

"Really? Yes, I would love to," she tells me making me smile again.

"Oh, Lucian, can I ask you something?" She says.

"Yeah," I reply.

"How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I'm 24," I tell her.

"Wow, really? I thought you'd be younger," she says.

"You think so?" I chuckle.

"Yeah, I'm 19, by the way."

This doesn't really surprise me—she did look younger than me. "Oh. Okay. Does it bother you to be friends with someone a little older?" I ask, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable, though it's only a five—year difference.

"No," she says, then adds with a sweet smile, "Are we friends, Lucian?"

I want her to smile only at me like that. "Well. I hope so," I reply, then joke, "Would you like to be this poor old man's friend, Aurelia?"

She laughs and replies, "Oh yes, I do love taking part in charity, after all."

This makes me genuinely laugh.

"Charity is harsh," I feign offense.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your poor old soul," she continues, making me laugh harder.

I glance at the time. "Well, I'd love to keep talking, but I have to get back to work," I tell her. I swear she looks a little sad to see me go, but maybe I'm just imagining it.

"I'll see you tomorrow for my coffee," I tell her, "and maybe for lunch if you don't mind."

She smiles at that. "Yes, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye, Lucian. Take care."

"Bye, Aurelia," I say, walking out and heading back to the bookstore.