“Couldn’t miss your grand opening,”he said as he sat down at a table.
She couldn’t help noticing her pulse quicken at just seeing him. Heather’s voice taunted her.Ask him out the next time you see him.
She didn’t have time to think about that now. She handed him the printed menu and pointed to the specials on a large chalkboard over the counter.“I’ll be back to get your order.”
She checked out two tables of customers and came back to Austin’s table, glancing around to see there were finally empty tables scattered around. She glanced at her watch. Thirty minutes until closing time. She couldn’t wait to get off her feet.
“Did you decide what you want to order?”
“I did. I think I’ll try the soup of the day and the turkey and bacon sandwich. Who can resist bacon?”He grinned at her.
“Wise choice.”
She was soon back with his order and checked out two more customers. Only Austin and one other table left.
Emily walked past with an armload of dirty dishes from clearing some tables.“Want me to flip the sign to closed?”
“Yes, do that.”
“I’m going to help get these dishes run before I head out. I’m meeting some friends.”
“Thanks for all your help today.”
Emily dumped the dishes in the kitchen, went back to the door, and flipped the sign over. She checked out the last customer except for Austin and headed back to the kitchen.
Olivia headed over to Austin.“Would you like some dessert?”
“I would love some ice cream. Care to join me?”
She looked around at the empty tables.“I could for a few minutes. Would love to get off my feet. It’s been quite the day.”
She got ice cream for both of them and sat down across from him.“Ah, that feels good.”
“Busy day, huh? I saw some pics that Emily posted online. She did a great job, by the way.”
“We had people in here all day long. Which is good, I guess. I just hope they keep coming back and it wasn’t just a grand opening thing.”
“The food was delicious. I’m sure they’ll be back.”He took a bite of his ice cream.“And the ice cream never disappoints, either.
She finally had a glimmer of hope that she was actually going to pull this off. That the cafe was going to show a profit. And at this rate, it would be sooner than she expected. Relief washed through her. She realized she’d been half-afraid that hardly anyone would show up today.
Now, if they just showed up again. And again.
Heather came out and cleared the last table.“Hi, Austin.”
“Hi, Heather. So you came to help out today, too?”
“Can’t let my cousin have all the fun.”She laughed as she held up the tray of dirty dishes. She moved behind Austin’s back and nodded at him, her eyes wide.Ask him.She mouthed the words, then turned to head back to the kitchen.
Olivia gathered her courage, still not sure this was the right thing to do, but Heather would bug her relentlessly until she did.“So…I was wondering…”
He looked across the table, an eyebrow raised.
“Would you…I mean.”So cool, Olivia. So cool.“Would you like to go out? On a date, I mean. With me.”Could she sound any more awkward?
His eyes widened in surprise.“Yes. Yes, I would.”
“Oh, good. Great.”She sat back. There, she’d asked him. Heather would be so proud of her.
