Luna

Chapter 5

Luna

It's been more than a week since I've been coming to Sam's cafe after closing. He keeps making me drink after drink. The first one was the Latte, and I loved it. We do our crossword puzzle and then say our goodbyes.

We don't talk about other things or ourselves, although he did ask me my age and phone number. Not at the same time thou.

My number he asked after the first evening explaining that he'd worried something had happened to me, and it would be nice if we could keep his heart from giving out over worrying about me.

I would lie if I'd tell you it didn't make me feel special.

The age came up when he complimented me on my knowledge. I told him I was twenty-six and he in return confessed that he's thirty-five.

If I have to be honest, I want to know more about him. He's always so sweet, attentive, and polite. He barely instigates any physical contact, but every time I glance his way his eyes are on me. Studying me, smiling at me, listening to every word that comes out of my mouth.

So that's the reason why I'm bringing over my own crossword puzzle today.

Answering the simple questions, he will make out answers about me. Like my favorite food, color, music, where I'm from, am I the only child and things like that. Things I'm too scared to say out loud, but I wish to get to know him so badly I'm using every bit of the courage I have left to take the first step.

"Luna," he greets me beaming over the counter. Sam lifts his hand jiggling the keys at me and I nod.

"Catch."

I barely have grasped what he said as he throws the keys my way. To my surprise, I catch them and a giggle escapes.

"Lock the door, please. I'll start on your drink." Sam laughs out loud and turns around taking my mug. Yes, my mug, that also happened. One day I came and instead of the usual Styrofoam cup he served me in a mug with my name on it. He has a mug with his name too.

After locking up, I take off my coat and sit down. By the time he joins me in our usual seat, my hands tremble from my nerves.

"I... um... I made something," I murmur quietly.

"What is it?"

Taking out the paper from my bag, I slide it towards him. "For you."

Sam studies the paper in front of him for a good two minutes until he turns to me with a frown.

Maybe he doesn't feel the same? Maybe he doesn't want me as nothing more than a crossword buddy?

Damn it. I shouldn't have done that. I feel the tears rising in my eyes as I look away. Sam's hand captures my chin, so I have no other choice than to look at him.

"Are you sure you want to do it this way?" he asks, searching my face.

I give a small nod, trying to breathe evenly so the tears don't escape me.

"I would love nothing more than to get to know you better. I was planning on taking the first step myself, but I saw that you needed more time." His finger grazes my cheeks, and I feel goosebumps climbing up my arms.

"How about if instead of me guessing you say them out loud?" Sam suggests.

"Why?"

"Because I really like to hear your voice."

I blink twice until I comprehend what he's saying.

"You like my voice?" I ask in surprise.

"Yeah, and I like your laugh even more. Why don't we start the puzzle and go from there?"

I cast a quick glance at the paper.

"Three. Blue."

"Light or dark?" Sam questions filling in the blanks.

"Sky blue."

"Okay. Seven. What's your favorite food?"

"Sushi?" I shrug.

"I love sushi." Sam nods.

Twenty minutes later, my crossword puzzle is done and Sam turns toward me.

"This was fun. Will you go out with me, Luna?"

I nod, making his smile spread.

"Why don't I pick you up tomorrow and we can go to a nice Chinese restaurant?"

"No."

Sam immediately frowns, but I keep on smiling.

"I make my own sushi and I'll bring them here."

"You make your own...." he trails off. "I literally have to fight every instinct in me to keep myself from asking your hand."

I can see mischievous sparks dancing in Sam's eyes, so I giggle quietly.

"Then it's a date?"

"It's a date," he echoes.