“Hi.” I don’t say until he reaches me, clenching the ledger I’m holding against my chest.
“You ran off so fast earlier, I didn’t have a chance to say hello.” Travis smiles, the action lighting up his whole face.
I’m immediately reminded of my initial thoughts when I first met him a couple of weeks ago, that if he weren’t covered in dirt and fish guts, he’d be rather good-looking, and I stand by that assessment today. Not that today is the first time I’ve seen him since then. Rather, I’ve seen him nearly every day that I’ve worked.
“Sorry about that. I’ve been a bit preoccupied, I guess.”Understatement of the century.“Did you need something?”
“No. Just thought I’d say hi.”
“Well, hi.” I wave awkwardly, instantly regretting the action.
“Hi.” He rocks back on his heels.
“Well, if that’s all you needed.” I point toward the small office just barely visible from our vantage point. “I should get back to work.”
“Do you like coffee?” he asks abruptly as I start to turn.
“Doesn’t everyone?” I say, though in truth, I don’t actually like coffee at all.
“Would you maybe want to grab a coffee with me? I mean, if you have time.”
“Oh... I...”
“Not like a date or anything. Just two coworkers, grabbing a coffee.”
I smile at how nervous he seems.
I should say no. I know I should. But something about the way he smiles at me has me hesitating to turn him down.
“Just coffee?” I ask, not entirely convinced that’s his intention but also not wanting to give myself too much credit. For all I know, he could have zero interest in me that way.
The way he smiles says otherwise.
“Just coffee.”
“Well, I don’t get off until four today. Think that might be a little late for coffee.”
“Don’t you get a break or something?”
“I mean, I do. But I don’t usually take it until eleven. Don’t you need to go home and get some sleep or something?” I ask, knowing for a fact that he was out on a night fish last night and didn’t get in until about an hour ago.
“I’ll sleep tonight. I’m off for the next four days anyway.”
“Wow. How did you manage that?”
“By working eleven days in a row.”
“In that case, sounds like you’ve earned the break.”
“So, about that coffee.” He brings me right back to the topic at hand.
I shouldn’t. I really, really shouldn’t. I’ve already poked the bear that is Penn Kade. Going out, even if just for coffee, with one of his employees might set him off completely. Then again, he might not care even a little bit and again, I’m just overestimating my importance.
Besides, if he can rub Cat in my face, what harm is going out for a cup of coffee?
“Where?”
He smiles again, knowing he’s got me.
