"Hmmm … have I been witty and cute enough to ask for a date yet?"
There was that amazing smile again. "I don't know about that."
"A daytime date?"
"I don't know … " She squirmed like a bashful child.
"Coffee? You like coffee, don't you?"
"Yeah."
"So, a coffee date it is. Great!"
"No, wait, you said –"
My laugh interrupted her. "Shermanne, you gonna break our date before I can even get your phone number?"
Her look spoke volumes. "I'll be back in a bit," she said. Shermanne went off to take care of her less needy tables and when she returned again, I was ready.
"Hi again," she said. Her mood was jovial.
"So … coffee or no?"
She smiled that perfect smile of hers and said, "Sure, why not?"
"Great, what time do you get off?"
"Today? I can't today."
"Sure you can, it's just a cup of coffee. You don't even have to change."
"Ugh … I look awful, my hair's all greasy and I'm all sticky with restaurant grime."
"I love restaurant grime, can I get a side of that with my meal?"
"You're crazy," she said with a laugh.
"No, I'm smitten, there's a difference. There's a big difference."
Her eyes gleamed, her face shined. I was hers.