He actually went and got the book I recommended.
"Hey," he says, approaching the counter.
"Hi." My voice doesn't crack this time. Progress. "Same as yesterday? Large coffee, black?"
"Yeah. And maybe one of whatever Robin's been baking. Smells good."
"Morning buns," Robin calls out, not even trying to pretend he's not eavesdropping. "Dev says they're incredible."
"Dev's right," Silas says, and I have to look away because he's looking directly at me when he says it.
I make his coffee with hands that only shake a little, box up a morning bun, ring him up. When I hand him his change, our fingers brush.
"Keep it," he says, dumping it all in the tip jar again. Then, quieter: "Thanks for the recommendation. Started it last night. You were right about the world-building."
He read it. He started reading the book I suggested and came back to tell me about it.
"The first three chapters are slow," I manage. "But after that —"
"It picks up. Yeah, I hit chapter four around midnight. Couldn't put it down."
We're having a conversation. An actual conversation about books.
"Wait until you meet Lessa properly," I say, forgetting to be nervous. "She's amazing. Like, she seems weak at first, but —"
"No spoilers," he says, but he's smiling. Actually smiling, his whole face warmer and softer with it.
"Right. Sorry. I just — I really love those books."
"I can tell." He picks up his coffee, hesitates. "What are you reading right now?"
I show him my book.The Goblin Emperor.
"Any good?"
"Really good. Political intrigue but with goblins and elves. The main character's this half-goblin who becomes emperor and has no idea what he's doing but tries so hard to be good —" I stop, realizing I'm rambling.
"Sounds interesting." He shifts his weight, looks at me like he's working up to something. Then: "When's your break?"
"What?"
"Your break. When do you take it?"
"Um, usually around two-thirty? Why?"
"Maybe we could talk about books. If you want. I'll be reading over there." He nods toward the same corner booth as yesterday.
Is he asking to hang out with me? On my break?
"I... yeah. Okay. I'd like that."
"Cool." Another smile, smaller but still there. "See you at two-thirty."
He walks to his booth, and I stand there staring after him until Robin hip-checks me.
"That was painful to watch," he says. "But also adorable. He asked you to take your break with him!"
"To talk about books."