Emotional Compass + coffee shop AU (I have no idea who these two are lol so if that wouldn't work for them let me know), please?
It's his third week of coming when he finally strikes up a conversation. He's been holding back, not out of shyness but respect; she's at work, after all, and he doesn't want to become the customer she dreads. But now he's transferring to Old City: a short drive away if she's interested, but far enough to give her space if she's not.
The morning is slow, giving him time to ask after she takes his order, "So how'd you get here, anyway?"
She pauses, pen in hand, brows furrowed together. Her eyes take on an amused sparkle as she replies, "A car, most often. If the weather happens to be nice, a brisk walk."
Chuckling, he shakes his head. "No, I mean, how'd a woman who hates coffee end up running a coffee shop?"
Predictably, the amusement fades, replaced by confusion (they've never spoken before, save for her taking his order, so how could he possibly know-), but not unhappiness. No, it's exactly what he'd hoped for: A spark of surprise, of curiosity, of interest.
"It's rather a long story."
"Hey, I have nothing but time."
"Are you certain? Because I've never seen you leave later than 9:50, and-" She peers over the counter at his watch, ignoring the clock behind her. "Twenty minutes won't begin to cover it."
She's noticed him? Noticed him so often that she knows his routines, that she has him memorized? His answer takes a beat to come, but when it does, it's with a grin he doesn't even try to fight.
"There's a diner down the street. Joe's. Nothing fancy, but the food is good. And between you and me, I hear their coffee machine's broken."
The corners of her lips tug into a ghost of a smile. "I'm off work at seven."
"See you then."