'Well, well,' Joey thought as the door to the coffeehouse opened and Nate came in. Joey was doing as he'd promised, covering Mary’s shift for the day in exchange for her having gone with him to the bowling alley. He smiled when Nate came up to the counter. "Coffee, tea…?"
"You?" Nate smiled shyly. "You didn't finish the statement."
"Well if I had it would have been me not you," Joey pointed out.
"True. And I'll take coffee, just plain, no fancy stuff."
Joey nodded. "I think I'd have figured that. Something to eat?"
Nate looked at the pastries in the case. "A bear claw, please."
"You got it." Joey filled his order before saying, almost as an afterthought, "I've never seen you in here before, not that I'm usually am here these days, of course."
There was another shy smile from Nate. "This is my first time believe it or not."
"Be still my heart, you came because you knew I was here," Joey said, laughing so Nate would know he was teasing, straight guy to straight guy style.
Nate looked around then said softly, "I did."
One eyebrow shot up in surprise as Joey replied, "For real?"
"Look, I may be way off base here but I honestly hope not. Yes, I did because… well…" Nate chewed his lip.
Joey hesitated for a long moment. "You're not off base," he finally admitted so quietly he wondered if Nate would even hear him.
"Thank God." Nate smiled yet again, this time not as shyly as before. "Of course, just because… I'd better go." He picked up his order.
"Phone number?" Joey blurted out.
"Oh, I have one." He tore a strip off the top of the bag holding the pastry and wrote it down.
"I'll call and maybe…?" Joey slipped the number into his shirt pocket.
"I think so, yes." Nate smiled broadly before he headed out of the coffeehouse.
'Well… damn.'
Joey's mother watched Nate leave then she looked at Joey and gave him a thumbs-up. He nodded, chuckled, and got back to work.
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