Hello bookworm. There was something fantastically amazing about a woman who reads in public. It was like an advertisement, I’m out of the house, because I want to be out of the house…but the best thing I have to do is read in a bookstore. I would rather be talking to you Aedus Teague. She was wearing a just above the knees sweater dress leggings boots, she wore her hair up in a no nonsense ponytail, a couple strands dark curly strands had escaped. Cute! Every so often she would push the glasses up her nose only to keep reading and have to move them back up her nose as they eventually slide down to an unacceptable point once more.

He browsed the electronic readers, he looked over the fantasy novels, hey George finally got around to writing his latest murder your favorite character novels. Good stuff. He moved to the mythology section, someone had called him by a Mayan or Aztec name recently and he was curious to see if he could figure out who exactly he looked like when he was in stone mode. No he wasn’t steadily making his way closer toward the girl with the ‘girl with a dragon tattoo novel.’ He set the George R.R. Martin novel between them and started looking through his mythology book. Skimming for itzul something something something something.

He covertly watched the fox out of the corner of his eye…and noticed that she was covertly watching someone her eyes were pointed toward the counter but her head pretended to read the book. Aedus went back to reading and then looked up at the counter…hmm she was waiting for coffee?

She was, indeed.

Aurum didn't usually make a point of hand-delivering warm coffee goodness to women. Usually, they stood and waited in line, and were patient. And they liked what they got when they got it, because it was worth the wait. For her, he made an exception. Why? Well, she'd said '-please'.

"Here's your coffee," Aurum smiled. He set her drink down in front of her. She'd already paid, but hey. A smile went a long ways towards a potential tip.

Her glasses did not slip as she casually beamed up at him. Her eyes might have focused a bit more than would normally have been usual. Her cheekbones may have rested at that height they usually do when one is really smiling. Like, a real smile, because they're glad to see someone. She may have even blushed slightly as she took a sip.

"I hope you enjoy it," He said, turning. He walked his fine self back behind the counter.

She watched.

Aedus rolled his eyes at the man. He reflected upon the fact that he had already lost to a barasita, but did it have to be a single match, there was no sweetie at the end. No, don't burn the coffee, its hot but you're hotter....no nothing just a cup of coffee and adoration.

Aedus waited until the woman's coffee man went around the counter, she seemed to appreciate his backside as much as gazing at him while he worked. "Is the coffee an good here miss?"

A glance at Aedus and she nodded. "Good coffee, better service."

" what do you recommend?"

"something fancy. He has an eye for detail."

"Oh? sounds like a plan." Aedus set his books to the side and walked to the counter, he glanced at a small mirror on one of the displays. She was happily reading her book again. He worked out, he jogged regularly, surely his rump was gawk worthy. Was he losing to a Barista?

He waited in line patiently, Maybe there was more too it. Maybe he should cut his loses and see if he could make her happy anyway.

Maybe he shouldn't give up so easily.

The line thinned. The herd of ladies abated. It was a guy's turn. Finally.

Aurum turned to the guy and smiled politely.

"What would you like, sir?"

Sir, like the man of the house. Sir, like this guy's father. Sir, like 'implying that you are old, man. take that.' Completely unintentional. Just politeness, but still. Sir. Because Aurum was young and attractive. Obviously everyone else were old hacks.

Or so one might think if they were so inclined to jealousy. He was just giving good service.

“Something Fancy. Apparently. Baristas choice?” Aedus looked at the man across from him sizing him up, he didn’t get it…maybe she just liked a man in an apron. He glanced to his right where the woman would be. Aedus knew when he wasn’t going to make headway and he might as well help the two of them potentially find happiness.

“I was going to try to see about getting the ladies number, but she only has eyes for you, Champ.”
Aedus smiled politely.

Aurum's back was to the guy as he made the man his coffee, so Aedus didn't see the eyebrow arch , but it was entirely likely he could have heard it in Aurum's tone.

"Really? Naw. You can have her. I already have a girlfriend."

He turned and slid the man his coffee. "That'll be four bucks."

Aedus put six on the counter and picked up his drink, it did look good. " Not every guy turns down a pretty little crush like that. Good to see there are other decent guys around. I'm Aedus, Nice to met you arm um."

Aedus turned and walked back to his seat and picked up his book once more. Now , he wouldn't be fighting to get the girls attention but to save it from getting bruised. " not sure what it is, but it looks fancy, I think he drew a..." Did he intend on making the coffee look like a poop? " a scoop of whipped topping." he decided not to insult her man behind the counter.

"Aurum, actually." Aurum corrected him, before the guy got a chance to go.

Like an oar, with an um at the end. It was an easy mistake.

Turning, he let the guy go off on his skirt chase.

Good luck. He thought with a chuckle and a shake of his head.