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“It’s fine.” The guy took a sip of the coffee, and Wren noticed his hands were shaking. Shit, was that his fault?
“Hey, look?—”
“I’m Percy,” the man blurted, interrupting Wren’s attempt to apologize. He stuck out his hand, almost like his own skin was offending him and he was trying to keep it as far away from his body as possible.
Wren bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing as their palms met. As predicted, Percy’s hand was very soft and very delicate. It felt oddly nice, and because Wren had zero shame, his brain immediately tried to imagine what it would feel like to touch his dick and balls.
Fuck, what was wrong with him?
“Wren,” he said before his mouth could start spouting off offensive shit. “Co-owner and silent partner of BrewBiz. That’s not a pun, by the way, because I’m one of the few people who work here who will use speech.”
“Ah.” Percy pulled his hand back and stared down at it for a second before glancing back up. “So, is this where you hand out my ban?”
“For what? Having a panic attack?” Wren asked him with a wry smile.
Percy reared back. “A what? Look, mate. I’m sorry for being an absolute, colossal arse in there, but I don’t have panic attacks.”
Wren snorted. “Could’ve fooled me. I’ve had like four this week, and I’m pretty sure I know the signs. Mine all look like I’m pissed off too.”
Percy’s mouth opened, then snapped shut before he took a breath through his nose. “I made a complete cock of myself in there. It’s…bloody hell, it makes sense now, you know? That American and English sign would be different. But I didn’t even think about it, and not once did that bastard mention that to me during all of our lessons. I mean, I figured French, you know? French would be different. And German. Of course they would be. We don’t even share popular slang words, do we? But…”
“Percy,” Wren interrupted.
He went silent, then cleared his throat. “I’ve done it again, haven’t I?”
Wren didn’t know exactly what he meant by “done it again,” but he shook his head anyway. “You’re all good. And look, you’re not the first person who didn’t know that sign language wasn’t universal. It’s probably some of the least offensive assumptions hearing people have made about Deaf communities.”
“Well, I’m sorry all the same. I will most definitely be sending a strongly worded email to my professor,” Percy said.
Wren fought back a laugh. Strongly worded email? He had no idea people said that in real life. “Might be a good tip to add to the curriculum.”
Percy licked his lips, and Wren watched as his restless eyes moved around, taking in all of Wren’s appearance. The moment stretched on and on, but before Wren could call it out for being awkward, Percy spoke again. “Your hearing aids are quite fancy.”
Wren couldn’t hold back his laugh this time. “They’re not hearing aids. They’re cochlear implants.”
Percy stared, then pressed his hand to his mouth, and it took Wren a second to realize he was covering a laugh. “Sorry. Expensive, are they? It’s only…I’ve heard in the States medical stuff can cost quite a lot.”
Wren snorted. “Let’s just say they cost enough that the Queen would have trouble replacing them if she ever lost one.”
Percy blinked, then laughed. “Fair enough.”
Wren felt a little surge of triumph though he still didn’t know why this man’s ability to smile actually mattered to him. But it did, and Wren’s brain was too tired to go chasing down the reason. “Any chance I can talk you back inside for a…what do you British people love so much? Tea? Scones? I think Jori’s got a few in the pastry case.”
Percy’s cheeks went a little pink again as he shook his head. “Better not. Er. I’m not sure the rest of your employees want to see my face again. Besides, I need to ring my sister and tell her what I’ve done.”
“Oh, come on,” Wren wheedled. “You don’t need to relive public embarrassment in some café she’s never going to visit.”
Percy shook his head. “She plans to…all…time. Her daughter…was…the…adopting.”
Wren lost most of what Percy was saying because he kept running his hand around his mouth and looking around. Wren’s CIs worked well enough in quiet, calm situations, but he got lost easily. He took a breath and waved his hand at Percy, who froze, eyes wide. “Can you not cover your mouth or turn your head? I can’t understand you at all.”
Percy swallowed heavily. “But your…” He gestured to the side of Wren’s head.
It took all of his self-control not to roll his eyes. “Yeah, so, I’m still Deaf, bud. These help me recognize sounds, but trust me, it’s not hearing.”
“Oh, I. Er.” Percy nodded. “Right, sorry.”
“It’s fine. Just repeat what you were saying.”
